Counselling Placements
Counselling placements in Blackpool & the Fylde Coast
Build real client hours and genuine confidence on a supported placement with an award-winning community charity. You bring the training. We bring the clients, the support and a team that has your back.
Student Placement Applications are now closed.
The next recruitment will begin December 2026. Applications will open 1st December, Interviews January 2027 and Inductions February 2027.
Why train with CITC
A placement that builds your hours — and your confidence
Finding a placement that genuinely supports you is hard. Here's what you can expect when you train with us.
Real client hours that count
Work with real clients from your first weeks, building the client hours your course and accreditation require — not shadowing, not role-play.
A senior team, always on hand
You're never on your own. There's always a senior member of staff on site if you need to talk something through, plus the day-to-day support of an experienced, friendly team.
A breadth of experience
See children, young people and adults across four community hubs — including play therapy and sensory-room work — so you graduate with genuine range.
CPD and development
Grow your skills with ongoing training and CPD opportunities alongside qualified counsellors who remember exactly where you are now.
Work that actually matters
Every session you deliver helps someone on the Fylde Coast who couldn't otherwise afford support. Your placement is real, needed work.
A respected name behind you
Train with a King's Award-winning charity delivering thousands of sessions a year — a placement that stands out on your CV and to your tutor.
Who we're looking for
Is a placement with us right for you?
We welcome trainee counsellors who are ready to put their learning into practice in a supportive, real-world setting. You don't need previous placement experience — many of our trainees are here for their first.
Not sure whether you qualify? Apply anyway, or ask your course tutor to get in touch — we're happy to talk it through.
- ✓You're enrolled on a recognised counselling or psychotherapy course (typically Level 4 Diploma or above) that requires a placement.
- ✓You need to gain client hours and are ready to begin seeing clients.
- ✓You can commit to regular placement sessions with the support of our team.
- ✓You can provide two references — one character and one professional.
- ✓You're willing to complete an enhanced DBS check and work within our policies and ethical framework.
Key dates
Next recruitment timeline
Applications open
1 December 2026
Interviews
January 2027
Inductions
February 2027
Applications reopen 1 December 2026
Please return when the next recruitment begins.
How it works
From application to your first client
The next application window opens on 1 December 2026.
Apply online
Complete the short application form when recruitment is open. It takes around ten minutes and tells us about you, your course and why you'd like to train with us.
Interview
If your application is a good fit, we'll invite you to an informal interview in January 2027. It's a chance for us to get to know each other.
Induction
Successful applicants join an induction in February 2027 to meet the team and learn how we work.
System familiarisation
15 hours of system familiarisation to get comfortable with our tools, systems and processes before you begin.
Start your placement
Begin seeing clients with a senior member of staff always on site and the full support of the team behind you.
Frequently asked questions
Placement questions, answered
Who can apply for a counselling placement?+
Trainee counsellors enrolled on a recognised counselling or psychotherapy course (typically a Level 4 Diploma or above) that requires a placement. You don't need previous placement experience — many of our trainees are with us for their first placement.
Is the placement paid?+
Counselling placements are voluntary trainee positions, like placements across the counselling profession. You gain real client hours, training and experience rather than a salary, and every session you deliver supports the local community.
Will I be supported during my placement?+
Yes. There's always a senior member of staff on site if you need to talk something through, plus the day-to-day support of an experienced team. You are never expected to work in isolation.
Where are the placements based?+
Across our four Fylde Coast hubs — South Shore (Blackpool), Bispham, Cleveleys and Fleetwood — seeing children, young people and adults, with play therapy and sensory-room work available too.
How many client hours will I get?+
We work with you and your course requirements so you can build the client hours you need toward qualification and accreditation. We'll talk this through at interview and induction.
What is the 2026–27 recruitment schedule?+
Applications are available from 1 December 2026, with interviews in January 2027 and inductions in February 2027.
Recruitment update
Student Placement Applications are now closed.
The next recruitment will begin December 2026. Applications will open 1st December, Interviews January 2027 and Inductions February 2027.
Student Placement Applications are now closed
The next recruitment begins in December 2026. Applications open 1 December 2026, with interviews in January and inductions in February 2027.
See key dates