The Certified Counselling Skills Professional/Manager (CCSP)™/(CCSM)™ certification program is a globally relevant and professionally structured qualification designed for individuals seeking to develop or enhance practical counselling skills and supportive communication capabilities across professional, organizational, and community settings. In an increasingly complex, stressful, and emotionally demanding world, the ability to listen effectively, communicate empathetically, and support individuals through personal or professional challenges has become an essential competency across many roles and industries.

Counselling skills extend beyond formal therapeutic environments. They are widely applied in workplaces, education, healthcare, social services, leadership, and people management contexts where emotional intelligence, trust-building, and ethical support are critical. This program equips participants with foundational counselling principles, interpersonal communication techniques, ethical awareness, and structured helping frameworks. Emphasis is placed on practical skill application, self-awareness, boundary management, and culturally sensitive practice, enabling participants to provide effective, ethical, and professional support while recognizing the limits of their role.

Graduates of the CCSP™/CCSM™ program will be equipped to apply counselling skills confidently and responsibly, support individual wellbeing, enhance interpersonal relationships, and contribute to healthier, more supportive environments.

Certification Program Objectives:

Upon completing the Certified Counselling Skills Professional/Manager (CCSP)™/(CCSM)™ program, participants will be able to:

• Understand Counselling Foundations – Develop a strong understanding of counselling principles, roles, boundaries, and ethical considerations.
• Apply Core Counselling Skills – Use active listening, empathy, questioning, and reflection to support individuals effectively.
• Build Therapeutic and Helping Relationships – Establish trust, rapport, and psychological safety in supportive conversations.
• Manage Emotions and Difficult Conversations – Support individuals through stress, conflict, change, and emotional challenges.
• Practice Ethical and Culturally Sensitive Counselling – Apply ethical standards, confidentiality, and cultural awareness in counselling interactions.
• Promote Wellbeing and Personal Development – Encourage self-awareness, resilience, coping strategies, and positive change.

Certification Eligibility Criteria:

To apply for certification from The American Institute of Business and Management (AIBM) and its allied institutions, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution

And/or

• 0–4.9 years of relevant experience for Professional level (CCSP)™, or 5+ years of relevant experience for Manager level (CCSM)™

Note: Applicants who do not hold a Bachelor’s degree but possess exceptional professional experience and hold significant positions within their organizations in a relevant field may also be considered for certification on a case-by-case basis, subject to the approval of the AIBM evaluation committee.

Certifying Examination:

• To be certified as CCSP™/CCSM™, student should take up a 1.5 hours online exam conducted by AIBM.
• The qualifying exam would consist of 50 multiple choice questions, testing core certification modules.
• Professionals with relevant experience and other qualifying criteria may be exempted from the examination.

Certification Modules:

• Module 1: Introduction to Counselling Skills and Supportive Communication
• Module 2: Active Listening and Empathic Response Techniques
• Module 3: Building Trust and Positive Helping Relationships
• Module 4: Managing Emotions, Stress, and Everyday Challenges
• Module 5: Ethical Practice, Boundaries, and Professional Responsibility
• Module 6: Practical Counselling Skills for Workplace and Community Settings

* The Certification Title and its modules are regularly reviewed, updated and may change in alignment with evolving industry needs and regulatory standards.

Who Should Do This Certification:

The Certified Counselling Skills Professional/Manager (CCSP)™/(CCSM)™ certification is ideal for individuals who want to develop strong interpersonal, emotional, and supportive communication skills that can be applied across a wide range of professional and personal contexts. It is particularly valuable for:

• Counsellors, Therapists, and Support Practitioners seeking to strengthen foundational counselling skills or formalize existing experience.
• Human Resources, People Management, and Organizational Development Professionals involved in employee wellbeing, conflict resolution, and performance support.
• Educators, Trainers, and Academic Advisors supporting student wellbeing, personal development, and learning challenges.
• Healthcare and Social Service Professionals who engage with individuals experiencing emotional, psychological, or life-related challenges.
• Coaches, Mentors, and Facilitators who want to integrate counselling skills into coaching and developmental conversations.
• Community Workers, NGO Staff, and Volunteers providing emotional support, guidance, and crisis-related assistance.
• Leaders and Managers aiming to enhance emotional intelligence, empathy, and people-centered leadership skills.
• Graduates and Career Switchers aspiring to enter counselling-related, wellbeing, coaching, or support-focused roles.

Key Benefits of CCSP / CCSM Certification:

• Professional Recognition – Demonstrates credibility as a trained professional in counselling skills and supportive communication.
• Career Enhancement – Supports progression into roles involving coaching, mentoring, wellbeing, people development, or support services.
• Practical Skill Development – Focuses on applied counselling skills that can be used immediately in real-world situations.
• Improved Emotional Intelligence – Enhances self-awareness, empathy, and interpersonal effectiveness.
• Ethical and Responsible Practice – Strengthens understanding of boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical conduct.
• Positive Wellbeing Impact – Enables professionals to contribute meaningfully to individual wellbeing and supportive environments.
• Cross-Industry Relevance – Applicable across education, healthcare, corporate, community, and service sectors globally.

The CCSP™/CCSM™ certification empowers professionals to engage in supportive, ethical, and effective counselling interactions with confidence and compassion. By mastering counselling foundations, communication skills, emotional awareness, and ethical practice, certified individuals are well-positioned to foster trust, resilience, and positive change in the individuals and communities they serve.