Advanced Diploma of Integrative Practice – Counselling
11207NAT
How do I deepen my counselling practice and broaden the way I support clients?
You may already hold a counselling or related helping qualification and be ready for a more advanced next step. This course is designed to deepen your counselling skills, integrate coaching well, and strengthen your practice for the next season of professional work.
Duration: 12 months full-time or 18 months part-time
Delivery mode: Live online study, seminar days and fully supported
Funding options available for eligible students
Credit towards a Bachelor of Counselling
Called to Counsel
We are living in a time marked by isolation, anxiety, emotional distress, fractured relationships, and growing pressure on individuals, families, and communities. Many people are carrying more than they know how to name, and the need for wise, grounded, and compassionate support is increasingly clear.
For some, this does more than raise concern. It brings a growing sense that they may be called to counsel — to step toward people with care, support healing, and take part in the work of restoration. The Advanced Diploma of Integrative Practice – Counselling becomes a meaningful and practical way to respond with skill, presence, and purpose.
At Tov, this is shaped by a vision of biblical human flourishing. We are preparing counsellors to respond to pain with professionalism and compassion, and to help people move toward greater wholeness, stability, and hope. This is part of our commitment to helping transform lives to flourish.
“I already have a counselling qualification. I need my next step to genuinely deepen my practice.”
This course is designed for practitioners who already have a foundation and are ready to build on it. It helps deepen counselling capability, strengthen professional confidence, and support the move into more advanced practice.
“I want counselling to stay at the centre, but I can see the value of integrating coaching skills well.”
Counselling remains central to this stream, with coaching skills integrated to strengthen the way you support client growth, goals, and forward movement. The result is a broader practice framework without losing the depth of counselling.
“I need advanced training that helps me support clients more holistically, not just repeat what I already know.”
This course is built to extend your practice, not repeat your earlier training. It brings together counselling, coaching, and spiritual formation to help you support clients with greater range, depth, and clarity.
“If I invest in further study, it needs to strengthen my future practice, expand my client reach, and support business growth.”
This course is designed to help you build a broader and more sustainable practice. Integrating coaching skills alongside counselling can expand the way you work with clients and create greater flexibility in your service offering.
Who This Is Built For
This pathway is built for people who already have a foundation in counselling, coaching, or a related helping field and want to move into more advanced, integrated practice. It suits those who are ready to build on what they already know and strengthen their ability to support clients with greater depth, confidence, and range.
It is especially suited to practitioners who want counselling to remain central to their work while also learning how coaching skills can support client growth, accountability, and movement toward goals. Whether your future is in private practice, ministry, community work, or employment in a people-focused setting, this course is designed to support that next step with a stronger and broader professional framework.
Advanced Diploma of Integrative Practice- Counselling:
1. Build an advanced counselling capability
This course is designed for students who already have prior training and want to move into more advanced practice. You will deepen your counselling skills, strengthen your professional judgement, and learn to work with clients in more integrated and intentional ways.
2. Integrate coaching skills into client support
Counselling remains at the centre of the course, with coaching skills brought in to strengthen the way you work with client goals, progress, and forward movement. This helps students develop a broader and more holistic practice framework for supporting clients through both healing and growth.
3. Strengthen your future practice
This course helps you build a broader professional future. Integrating coaching skills alongside counselling can strengthen your client offering, open up wider business opportunities, and support clearer pathways into private practice, ministry, and other professional settings.
Together, the Tov Diploma of Counselling and the Advanced Diploma of Integrative Practice create a clear pathway into the Bachelor of Counselling with our higher education partners, Eastern College Australia or ACOM, with advanced standing, recognising the study already completed.
We provide the practice.
You provide the heart.
Step from classroom to vocation through the tov | Centre for Human Flourishing, our community-based professional practice hub.
- 100 Total Hours: Professional supervised experience integrated into your study.
- 40 Direct Hours: Real-world counselling providing care to the community.
- Fully Managed: tov Academy coordinates your entire placement. No external sourcing is required.
Real-world ready
Ready to Begin?
Book an advisory session to explore whether tov Academy is the right formation pathway for where you are—and where you’re becoming.
Counselling for Biblical Human Flourishing
Many counselling courses look similar on the surface. They often centre on a person’s presenting issues, past experiences, and the immediate symptoms or pressures that have brought them to counselling. These areas are important, and any credible counselling course needs to equip students to work with them well.
Tov counselling courses are shaped by a broader and more integrated vision. Our approach is grounded in a holistic, biblical understanding of human flourishing. Students are taught to see people as whole persons, where emotional wellbeing, relationships, identity, purpose, faith, and everyday life all matter in the counselling process.
This shapes the kind of counsellors we are seeking to form. Students develop counselling skills, professional capabilities, and practical readiness for real-world practice while engaging a richer vision of healing, growth, and restoration. The result is a counselling education that prepares students to work with competence and compassion, and to support change that reaches beyond symptom management alone.
That is part of what makes Tov distinctive. We are preparing counsellors to serve in ways that help transform lives to flouris
Waiting is costing you
Sometimes the cost of waiting is broader than it first appears. It is not only about staying in a job that no longer feels aligned. It is also about the lives that may never be supported, strengthened, or changed through the counselling work you could be equipped to do — including your own life, your family, and the wider community around you.
Delaying a step into counselling can mean more than just postponing a career decision. It can mean postponing growth, contribution, and the opportunity to bring wise and practical support to others. At tov, we speak about being formed to flourish. In this context, flourishing is not private. It shapes how you live, how you serve, and the good you are able to carry into others’ lives.
The Invitation
When you are ready to take the next step, this pathway offers more than a qualification. It is a structured opportunity to grow in spiritual formation, develop core counselling skills, and build practical confidence through professional placement and practice. For those considering a future in counselling or Christian counselling, it is a way to move forward with greater clarity, stronger preparation, and a clearer sense of where this work may lead.
At tov, we believe people are formed to flourish, and that flourishing is never limited to the individual. As you grow in wisdom, skill, and readiness for practice, that growth has the potential to shape your own life, strengthen your family, and bring support and hope to the people and communities you serve. This is part of what it means to prepare for work that helps transform lives to flourish.
Book a Course Advisory Session with our team to talk through your options, ask your questions, and explore whether this counselling pathway fits the season you are in.
Ancient Wisdom,
New Way to Learn
At tov academy, learning looks different. You donʼt just earn credentials—you grow through reflective practice, applied projects, and real-world experience.
AI-simulated learning provides safe, realistic scenarios to practice decision-making, problem-solving, and counselling before stepping into the real world.
Hybrid study and in-person seminars, and fully supported by the training team throughout your time at tov.
Course Details
Entry Requirements
- Be aged 18 years or over at the time of enrolment.
- Provide proof of identity, such as a certified copy of a driver’s licence or passport.
- All applicants must complete the aifc Pre-Enrolment Questionnaire, which includes a Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital (LLND) self-assessment.
This process helps identify any areas where additional support may be required to ensure students are ready for online study.
Entry to this qualification is open to prospective learners who hold either nationally recognised training products or non-accredited courses including:
- hold a Diploma of Counselling or higher
- hold the non-accredited Certificate of Christian Coaching with the Australian Institute of Family Counselling
And have a high level of language and literacy levels sufficient to:
○ interpret documents and published articles
○ communicate clearly
- hold a Diploma of Youth Work or higher
- hold a Diploma of Community Services or higher
- hold a Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs or higher
- hold a Diploma of Mental Health or higher
- hold a Diploma of Financial Counselling or higher
- hold a Diploma of Child, Youth, and Family Interventions or higher
- hold a Diploma in Coaching or higher
All students must have a valid Unique Student Identifier (USI) before enrolling in any nationally accredited qualification with aifc, as required by the Australian Government.
Student support and wellbeing
aifc is committed to supporting each student’s academic, personal and spiritual wellbeing throughout their study journey. Students are encouraged to inform aifc at the time of enrolment of any additional support needs, including:
- Learning or disability support (e.g. additional time for assessments, assistive technology)
- Cultural or language support
- Pastoral and wellbeing support, available through the aifc Student Services and Abound counselling network
Early disclosure enables aifc to provide appropriate reasonable adjustments and connect students with the right support services from the beginning of their course.
Technology and equipment requirements
Because this course is delivered online and includes recorded workplace-simulated counselling role-plays, students must have access to:
- a computer or laptop with word-processing software (e.g. Microsoft Word or Google Docs)
- a high-speed internet connection
- a webcam and microphone suitable for online classes and recording assessments
- a quiet and private environment for video participation and counselling simulations
Additional requirements for students applying for a VET Student Loan (VSL):
Applicants must also provide evidence of
- completion of Year 12, or
- evidence of a Certificate IV (or higher) qualification, or
- complete a formal LLN assessment demonstrating working at Level 4 / Exit Level 3 in Reading and Numeracy, as required under the VET Student Loans legislation.
| Spiritual Formation Journey | Topic | Unit Code and Name |
| Heart & Identity | Apply specific and specialised communication skills in the client-counsellor relationship. Assess the client’s wellbeing, safety concerns and goals, and use counselling skills with a structured approach to counselling to work with clients on personal and psychological issues. | NAT10900002 Establish and apply counselling skills |
| Explore the influence your faith has on your professional practice. Analyse own values, goals and professional wellbeing as part of an ongoing review for sustaining professional effectiveness. | Faith In Practice CHCPRP006 – Lead own professional practice | |
| Mind & Body | Build on established helping skills, develop coaching skills to explore client goals, and apply coaching models to support the client’s accountability and progress. | NAT11207001 Apply Coaching skills |
| Apply a narrative approach to explore the impact of fear and anxiety in clients and own professional practice. Using counselling and coaching skills through a cognitive behavioural approach to support clients in overcoming the fear and anxiety impacting their lives. | NAT11207002 Support clients to overcome fear and anxiety | |
| Relationships and Community & Disciplines and Practices | Researching and applying a systemic approach to individual counselling or coaching clients to assess how personal relationships, behaviour patterns, and life choices impact their wellbeing and assist the client towards self-differentiation. | Research and apply systems theory CHCPOL003 – Research and apply evidence to practice |
| Assess clients’ wellbeing, safety concerns and goals, using coaching skills within an ethical and structured approach to work with clients on personal concerns and spiritual growth | NAT11207003 Support Spiritual Formation with clients | |
| Vocation & Culture
| Build a thriving professional business through analysis of current marking, develop and implement marketing strategies and expanding client care offerings through online platforms. | NAT10900011 Identify and develop counselling business opportunities |
| Assess clients’ wellbeing, safety concerns and goals and use an integration of counselling and coaching skills within an ethical and structured approach to work with clients on personal issues. | NAT11207004 Apply an integrative approach for client wellbeing |
Counselling Speciality Steam Electives
Students choose 4 of the following:
NAT11207007
Apply attachment theory with
clients
CHCFCS004
Grief and Loss Counselling
NAT10900004
Work with complex
contemporary and ethical issues
in counselling
NAT10900005
Apply Christian Counselling to
common spiritual issues
NAT11207006
Provide counselling for
neurodiversity support
The 11207NAT Advanced Diploma of Integrative Practice consists of 12 units of competency and can be completed over 18 months full-time.
- 18 months = 2 units per term – approx. 27 hours per week
All teaching is delivered online, with each unit including two 2-hour live classes at the beginning of each term to support your learning and engagement.
Assessment and Workplace Requirements
All assessment tasks are completed through aifc’s online learning platform and include a combination of written responses, case studies, and counselling sessions conducted with real external clients.
Students are responsible for sourcing and conducting counselling sessions with suitable clients as part of their course requirements. These sessions allow students to apply advanced counselling skills in real-world contexts under the guidance of their trainer and assessor.
While many assessment activities include workplace-simulated role plays, the Advanced Diploma also requires students to demonstrate competence through actual client work.
There is no formal external work placement requirement for this qualification; however, students must ensure they have access to appropriate clients and environments to complete their practical counselling assessments.
At tov, we believe that learning happens best when students are supported personally, academically, and spiritually. Throughout your study, you’ll have access to a wide range of services designed to help you succeed and flourish.
Academic and Study Support
Each student is allocated a qualified trainer and assessor who journeys with them academically and pastorally through each unit of study.
- One-on-one assistance from trainers and assessors is available throughout the course.
- Access to study skills resources, academic writing guidance, and structured feedback.
- Individualised support plans are available for students who need additional academic, learning, or wellbeing support.
- Extensions and reasonable adjustments may be provided where appropriate to ensure equitable participation.
Wellbeing and Pastoral Care
Tov provides a caring, faith-based environment that recognises the whole person.
- Students have access to free counselling sessions through trainee counsellors under supervision, or may choose to access support from Abound counsellors for confidential emotional and wellbeing support.
- Pastoral care is available through the Student Services team and Course Managers.
- Optional group sessions and community-building activities help foster connection and belonging throughout your study.
- Where needed, tov can assist students in connecting with external support services for specialised care.
Disability, Cultural and Learning Support
If you have a disability, learning difference, or personal circumstances that may affect your studies, we encourage you to let us know early. This enables aifc to provide appropriate, reasonable adjustments, develop individualised support plans, and connect you with the right resources to support your success.
The fees for the 11207NAT Advanced Diploma of Integrative Practice (Counselling) are found in the Course Guide
For a full breakdown of payment options, invoicing, and the cooling-off period, please refer to the Course Fees page.
For information regarding refunds, withdrawals, or deferrals, please refer to the Withdraw, Defer or Change Enrolment Process & Procedure.
Austudy / ABSTUDY
Some students may be eligible to apply for Australian Government student payments while studying an approved course with an approved education provider.
Austudy provides financial assistance for eligible students aged 25 years or older who are studying or undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship. Students generally need to be studying full time and meet Services Australia’s eligibility requirements.
ABSTUDY provides support for eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students undertaking approved study or training. To receive ABSTUDY, students must be studying an approved course with an approved institution.
Students may be asked by Services Australia to provide evidence of enrolment, such as a confirmation of enrolment letter.
RTO Provider Code: 88037
The following Tov Academy courses are approved for Centrelink/student payment purposes, subject to Services Australia’s assessment of the student’s individual eligibility:
- CHC42315 Certificate IV in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care
- CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling
- 11207NAT Advanced Diploma of Integrative Practice
- 10900NAT Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Christian)
- 11384NAT Graduate Diploma of Counselling
Applying for Austudy or ABSTUDY is the responsibility of the student. Tov cannot determine student payment eligibility or guarantee approval of a claim.
For more information, students should contact Services Australia:
- Austudy / Youth and Students line: 132 490
- ABSTUDY line: 1800 132 317
There are no specific licensing requirements attached to this qualification.
However, graduates who already hold a CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling (or equivalent) are expected to maintain or obtain professional membership with either the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Christian Counsellors Association of Australia (CCAA). Note that this cannot be student level.
Professional membership ensures that graduates meet industry-recognised standards of ethical practice, supervision, and continuing professional development (CPD) required for practising counsellors in Australia.
Student who entre this course without the Diploma of Counselling are required to obtain Student Membership with either ACA or CCAA.
“The Advanced Diploma of Integrative Practice played an important role in building my confidence as a counsellor. It helped me grow in skill, deepen my practice, and broaden the way I support clients. The course gave me a stronger foundation for professional practice, and since completing it, I have gone on to run a successful private practice.”
"I noticed that many male teenagers and men are falling through the gaps, with their mental health often overlooked. Many struggle with identity, and God has given me a passion to support them. Through aifc, I'm learning how to collaborate with others and engage in crucial conversations. Studying Christian Counselling at aifc has been inclusive and has transformed my perspective."
Ready to Begin?
You’ve been considering this for a while. Perhaps sensing a call to helping work, wondering if formal training is right for you, asking whether it’s too late or too soon. The next step is simple: a conversation. Book an advisory session to explore whether tov Academy is the right formation pathway for where you are—and where you’re becoming.
8,000+ practitioners formed through real-world practice
Formation that stays with you.
Across decades, roles, and places — people return to what they learned here.
- 16K+formed through AIFC and tov Academy programmes
- 49countries represented in our learning community
- 1M+counsellings sessions held by our alumni
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