Our Training Programmes

What to Expect

We currently offer 3 training programmes as part of our mission to upskill individuals interested in the mental health space. Find out more below about the programmes and how to apply, contact us if you have any additional queries: hello@mindmattersnpo.org

  • This program is ideal for individuals passionate about mental health and eager to provide support to those in need.

    Minimum Requirements:

    To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

    • A strong interest in mental health.

    • A minimum of an honours degree in psychology (students currently completing their honours degree may also apply).

    • Must be 21 years or older.

    • Fluency in written and spoken English (proficiency in at least one additional South African language is preferred).

    • Availability to attend all training and supervision sessions.

    • A willingness to learn and grow for both personal development and client support.

    • A compassionate and personable nature, with a strong motivation to work with and help others.

    Programme Structure:

    • Duration: 10 months

    • Applications Open: January every year

    • Weekly Time Commitment: 6 hours

      • 1 hour per client (minimum of 2 clients)

      • 2 hours of supervision

      • 2 hours of writing, processing, and preparation notes

      • Training sessions: Two half-day sessions

    Click here to apply >

  • This programme is designed for qualified mental health practitioners looking to take on a supervisory role in lay counselling.

    Minimum Requirements:

    To qualify as a supervisor in our programme, applicants must:

    • Be registered with the HPCSA as an independent mental health practitioner (either as a registered counsellor or in any psychology category).

    Commitment & Responsibilities:

    • No application deadlines – rolling admissions.

    • Weekly Time Commitment: 6 hours

      • 2 hours of supervision with lay counsellors.

      • 2 hours reviewing and listening to session recordings.

      • Bi-monthly supervision meetings.

      • Reading and reviewing relevant training materials.

    *This programme is accredited to count towards the continuous professional development (CPD) points

    Click here to apply >

  • We provide additional professional training services for other organisations:

    • Lay Counsellor Trainer: We offer training for organisations that want to develop their own lay counsellor training programmes

    • Supervisor Training: we offer training programmes for supervisors that want to develop their skills in supervising individuals in the field of mental health

      *Workshops count towards Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points for qualified professionals

    Click here to apply >

Our Impact

Applications for lay counsellor positions have increased significantly however, more supervisors are needed to train and oversee additional counsellors.

Interest in becoming a supervisor increased however, actual commitment remains low. The bottleneck in supervisor commitment directly impacts how many lay counsellors can be trained, limiting the number of clients who can receive help. Addressing this issue is crucial for scaling up operations.

Lay Counsellor Applications vs Acceptance

Supervisor Interest vs Commitment

  • “The training was really informative. I found the PFA Guide to have been helpful, because I was able to follow the guidelines in the sessions. The role-plays we did was also helpful, because I got to practice being the lay counselor and the client. Being trained about the scope of practice of lay counselors was helpful. The boundaries and decision- making section was helpful. The different life events themes covered was helpful.”

    - Lerato L

  • “It (the training) was a great blueprint that emphasized key principles for supporting individuals as lay counsellors. it helped prepare me because there was a strong focus on understanding my role as a lay counsellor, setting healthy necessary boundaries and how to hold space and allow the client to lead. Also being prepped by my supervisor prior helped, the debriefing came in handy too.”

    - Lerato S

  • “I had a fairly great experience with working with the clients especially at the end because my client was very receptive to the counselling process. One of the challenges I had with a former client was the lack in communication and her missing the sessions without prior communication even after reaching. I decided to mention it during the sessions to let her know that she needs to let me know if she's having challenges or not able to make it. I personally did not have any challenges except in the beginning where I would overthink the counselling sessions but I learned to trust myself and what i have learned which made conducting the sessions easier.”

    - Tshegofatso

  • "My main takeaway from the program is that being a lay counsellor is not just about acquiring knowledge and skills, but also about cultivating empathy, self-awareness, and a willingness to grow alongside clients. I learned that building trust and relationships is crucial, and that sometimes, simply being present and listening actively can be incredibly powerful."

    - Landa

  • "The lay counselling training was really a great experience for me. From having a supportive supervisor who pushed me to be better, to having book reviews that really gave a great insight into therapy and the processes of it."

    - Mpho

  • "The lay counseling training helped me in many ways, particularly in learning basic counseling techniques like active listening, empathic responses, and how to create a safe, supportive environment for clients. These skills were essential in my work as a counselor, as they allowed me to build trust and rapport with clients quickly. The training was particularly helpful in situations where clients were facing everyday emotional struggles, such as stress, relationship issues, or grief. The skills I learned in the training, such as active listening and validating feelings, directly contributed to creating a space where clients felt understood and supported."

    - Bulelani

  • "The initial training weekend provided a good foundation of counselling skills to gain understanding of the counselling environment. The book recommendations that supplemented these skills were excellent and provided perspective, encouraged skill development and understanding. Furthermore, the weekly supervision "boot camped" skill development and assisted with maintaining a learning environment."

    - Gina

  • “The lay counselling training work was supportive therapy and was a reflection of the work we do as psychologists. I feel that the work we do and the training they received was compatible. Although the counsellors were not trained in any of the prominent psychotherapy modalities, they were able to utilise the basic tenets of psychotherapy; ie supportive therapy (holding space, active listening, creating a non-judgemental space, validation, and support).”

    - Thembelihle

  • "My overall experience as a supervisor was out of this world. The group supervision by weekly then monthly meetings were a game changer. I felt contained and supported. I also felt like I was also making a contribution. The recommended reading material, the manuals and the meetings were very helpful."

    - Nosiphiwo

  • "I had a pleasant experience, I liked that our supervision sessions were not only focused on the reading material but it was also a space for containment- one could talk about their challenges with their lay counsellor, get support from other supervisors and also get some insights on how other supervisors handled similar challenges. The sense of community and universality was comforting and reassuring."

    - Kele

  • "I really enjoyed my role and experience as a supervisor. It was such an exciting opportunity that I had the privilege of getting to do. I really enjoyed the learning as you go method of learning how to be a supervisor. I think this way of learning was appropriate for me and it helped me be more relaxed in this role as time went on."

    - Jacquire