Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice)

Graduate Diploma of Counselling
(Holistic Practice)

Course Code

GDC

Qualification

Graduate Diploma (AQF Level 8)

Accreditation

TEQSA

Mode

In-person Intensives + Online Study

Duration

1 Year (Full Time) or 2 Years (Part Time)

Course Overview

The Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice) is a one-year postgraduate program designed for those beginning their journey into the healing professions – or seeking a meaningful, flexible pathway into holistic therapeutic work.

Grounded in process-oriented psychology and holistic methodologies, this course introduces students to an integrative approach that honours the full spectrum of the human experience – mind, body, soul, and spirit.

Whether you’re exploring a new career, expanding on previous studies, or simply “dipping your toe in” before committing to a longer program, the Graduate Diploma offers a rich and supportive entry point. For many students, it becomes a stepping stone into our Master’s degree. For others, it stands alone as a powerful foundation for conscious, compassionate practice.

In a world marked by rapid change and rising disconnection, Metavision offers something different: the space to slow down, listen deeply, and reconnect – with self, with others, and with the unseen field of wisdom that underpins our work.

This is not a passive or purely academic experience. Our teaching model is experiential, transformational, and relational. Through guided self-inquiry and embodied learning, you’ll begin to cultivate the presence, awareness, and inner clarity needed to support others – and yourself – with integrity and care.

Admission is based on Metavision’s general entry requirements. View the full Admission Criteria.

The Metavision Model

The Metavision Model is the heart of our training – an integrative, process-oriented framework that cultivates presence, depth, and conscious development in both practitioner and client.

Grounded in holistic philosophy and transpersonal psychology, the model supports students to develop advanced self-awareness, ethical integrity, and attuned therapeutic skills. You’ll learn to work with the whole person – mind, body, and spirit – while building the capacity to hold space for complex human experiences through relational, embodied presence.

Graduates of this program emerge with a strong foundation in research, reflective practice, and process-oriented methodologies, including the ability to conduct both literature-based and autobiographical research. Our aim is to support the formation of practitioners who have truly “done the work” – those who can guide others on a path of integration, transformation, and expanded consciousness.

Whether you are entering this field for the first time or seeking to deepen and formalise existing practice, the Metavision Model offers a comprehensive, compassionate, and future-focused approach to healing and helping work.

Admission Criteria

Admission

At Metavision, we welcome applicants from diverse paths – those drawn to conscious, holistic practice and ready to explore the inner and outer work of becoming a therapeutic practitioner.

Entry into the Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice) requires one of the following:

General Entry Requirements

Applicants must have either:

A qualification from a university or registered higher education provider at AQF Level 7 (Bachelor’s degree) or higher, which includes counselling skills training,
or
Relevant work experience, prior training, or practice in a related field, even if you do not hold an undergraduate degree.*

In addition, applicants must:

Meet English language proficiency requirements (if your previous qualification was not delivered in English), and
Attend an admissions interview.

If you don’t meet these criteria, you may still be eligible to apply through our Portfolio for Admission pathway. We encourage you to reach out to discuss your individual circumstances.

Bridging Course Pathway

If you meet the academic entry requirements but have not completed prior counselling skills training, you’ll be required to undertake a Metavision Bridging Course before beginning the program.

This ensures that all students enter the Graduate Diploma with the foundational counselling skills, self-awareness, and confidence needed to engage deeply in the experiential learning journey ahead.

Our Bridging Courses are designed to ease your transition into the program — supporting both personal growth and practical capability from the outset.

Learn more: Foundational Counselling Skills Course

Recognition of Prior Learning and Alternative Pathways

We recognise that not all learning happens through formal qualifications — and that real-world experience can be just as valuable.

If you don’t hold an undergraduate degree, you may still be eligible to apply for our programs through the Portfolio for Admission pathway. This flexible entry route is designed for applicants with significant relevant life experience, informal training, or non-traditional educational backgrounds.

To qualify, you must demonstrate:

A minimum of three years of full-time equivalent relevant professional experience and training within the past ten years, in a cognate field such as counselling, community services, healthcare, education, or human services.
Evidence of your capacity to engage in postgraduate study, assessed through a written portfolio and interview.

Additionally, students may be eligible for up to 50% credit toward the Graduate Diploma through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or previous accredited study.

For full details, please refer to our policies:

Credit Transfer & Recognition of Prior Learning
Student Transfer Policy Guidelines

If you’re unsure whether you meet the requirements, we encourage you to get in touch. We’re here to support you in finding the right entry pathway.

Workshop Intensives

In-person intensives are a core part of Metavision’s experiential learning model. These immersive workshops offer students the opportunity to develop embodied presence, relational depth, and applied therapeutic skills in a supportive and spacious environment.

Each intensive combines theory, experiential practice, group dialogue, and reflective learning — creating a transformational space to explore self and other through a holistic lens.

Attendance Requirements

Students who wish to pursue the Graduate Diploma as a pathway into the Master’s program and eventual PACFA accreditation must attend all timetabled intensives.

Both full-time and part-time students students attend two x 4-day Intensives and one x 2.5-day Intensive per year.

These intensives are essential for developing the real-time presence and therapeutic capacity required for holistic counselling and psychotherapy.

Students are expected to maintain a minimum of 50% attendance at scheduled workshop intensives and online discussion sessions.

Integrating Learning into Practice

At Metavision, assessment is woven into a transformational learning journey – designed to help you integrate theory with practice while developing the presence, insight, and confidence of a reflective practitioner.

You’ll demonstrate your understanding through a variety of assessment tasks, including written reflections, case studies, experiential exercises, and applied skills demonstrations. Each task is aligned with unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes, with clear marking rubrics to ensure transparency and consistency.

You’ll receive supportive, constructive feedback throughout the course – helping you refine your skills and grow as both a student and a future therapist.

Progress and Support

To maintain steady academic progress, students are expected to:

Engage regularly with course content and activities
Meet attendance and participation requirements
Submit all assessments on time via the Sophia learning management system

If you’re struggling to meet these expectations, you’ll be invited to meet with the Dean (Higher Education) to discuss your situation and create a tailored support plan. You’re welcome to bring a support person to this meeting.

Attendance

Active participation is a core part of the Metavision learning experience. Students enrolled in the Blended Mode of the Graduate Diploma are required to maintain a minimum of 50% attendance at all scheduled workshop intensives and online discussion sessions. This ensures the integrity of the experiential, relational nature of the program.

In addition to attendance, students must complete all required personal therapy hours and, where applicable, placement components.

Campus Locations (2025)

In 2025, in-person intensives will be held at two locations in Brisbane:

Brisbane College of Horticulture
Level 3, 97 Creek Street, Brisbane City QLD 4000

Griffith University – Nathan Campus
Building N68, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan QLD 4111

Career Pathways

Employment Outcomes

The Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice) provides a strong foundation for those beginning or transitioning into the field of holistic counselling and psychotherapy. Graduates emerge with the skills, insight, and presence to support others across a wide range of settings where deep listening, psychological understanding, and relational care are valued.

Potential pathways include roles in:

Relationship and couples counselling
Grief, loss, and bereavement support
Trauma-informed care
Mental health counselling
LGBTQIA+ counselling and wellbeing
Educational and school-based wellbeing programs
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

Graduates may work in private practice, community organisations, wellness services, or educational settings.

A Pathway to Further Study

For many students, the Graduate Diploma serves as a stepping stone into our Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (Holistic Practice) – a two-year, PACFA-accredited program that expands both scope of practice and registration opportunities.

Industry Outlook

Counselling remains one of Australia’s fastest-growing professions. According to the Australian Government’s Job Outlook, strong growth is projected in the coming years, reflecting a growing need for practitioners who can offer ethical, embodied, and holistic support in a rapidly changing world.

Accreditation

The Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice) is an accredited Higher Education qualification at AQF Level 8, approved by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).

While this program is not a PACFA Core Education Program in itself, it provides a strong academic foundation for those who already meet PACFA requirements through other qualifications, or who plan to continue into Metavision’s Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (Holistic Practice) – a PACFA-accredited course.

Whether you’re seeking a supported entry point into the profession or a stepping stone toward further study, this program offers a flexible and transformative pathway into holistic counselling and psychotherapy.

Begin the Path to Purposeful Practice

Whether you’re feeling the call or simply curious, we invite you to take the next step toward the Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice).
Let’s walk this path together.

Course Fees

Course Fees & Payment Options

Payment plans are available to support your financial wellbeing, allowing you to spread your course fees across manageable instalments throughout your studies.

For full details on current fees and payment options, please contact our admissions team or visit the Fees & Payment Information page.

	Credit Points	Cost per CP	Total
Units 101 – 108	x 26	$865.00 AUD	$22,490.00 AUD

Early bird pricing available of $500.00 AUD off the price. Based on application and enrolment fee received before the 30th November 2025.

Other Fees

In addition to tuition, students should budget for the following course-related costs:

Application Fee: $175 AUD + 2.3% credit card transaction fee
Non-Refundable Deposit: $1,500 AUD (applied toward tuition) + 2.3% transaction fee
For transaction-fee-free options, please contact our team.
National Police Check: Required prior to placement; cost varies depending on your country of residence
Textbooks: Students are expected to purchase required texts for each unit
Personal Therapy: A minimum of five sessions with a PACFA-registered counsellor or psychotherapist
Travel & Accommodation: Students are responsible for travel and lodging costs related to in-person intensives.

If you have questions about any of these costs or need support planning financially, our team is here to help.

Payment Plans

Payment plans are available to all students

Students who pay their tuition in full upfront will enjoy a $150 credit applied to every unit of study
Students who pay their semester tuition upfront will enjoy a $100 credit applied to every unit of study
Monthly and Fortnightly plans must be via bank/credit card only and incur a 2.3% merchant fee
Payment plans need to be paid off in full before receiving your academic documentation
Payments must commence one week before the course start date

PART TIME STUDY PLANS

Below figures are based on a 24 month or 52 fortnightly payment plan

	Semester 1	Semester 2	Semester 3	Semester 4
Course Total Upfront	$21,290
Semester Total Upfront	$4,990	$4,990	$4,990	$6,720
Monthly Payments	$937.08
Fortnightly Payments	$432.50

FULL TIME STUDY PLANS

Below figures are based on a 12 month or 26 fortnightly payment plan

	Semester 1	Semester 2
Course Total Upfront	$21,290
Semester Total Upfront	$9,980	$9,215
Monthly Payments	$1874.17
Fortnightly Payments	$865

Bridging Course

Applicants who meet the academic entry requirements but have not completed prior counselling skills training will need to complete a Metavision Bridging Course before beginning the Graduate Diploma.

This short, skills-based course provides the essential foundations in counselling practice and communication — ensuring you enter the program prepared to engage deeply in our holistic, experiential learning model.

Course fee: $1,500 AUD

More details: Foundational Counselling Skills

Fee Refunds

Students may withdraw from enrolled units before the Census Date and receive a full refund of unit tuition fees. Please note, the enrolment deposit is non-refundable.

Withdrawals made after the Census Date are not typically eligible for a refund. However, students experiencing extenuating circumstances may apply for special consideration by submitting a Fee Refund Application Form.

More details: Fee Refund Policy

Course Dates

Semester and Intensive Dates

The tables below outline important dates for each intake, including semester start and end dates, as well as in-person intensive periods.

Some dates are marked as TBA (To Be Advised) and may be subject to change. Students will be notified promptly of any updates to the schedule.

The Census Date applies to all units within that semester and is the date in which full enrolment charges will apply.

Can’t wait until March 2026 to begin? We’re offering an intake this November, where you can commence your first unit over the summer period and get a head start on your studies.

November - Unit 101 Only

2025	Start Date	Census Date	End Date
Summer 2025	10th November 2025	1st December 2025	15th February 2026

March 2026

2026	Start Date	Census Date	End Date
Semester 1	9th March	30th March	26th June
Intensive 1 (Year 1)	16th March		19th March
Intensive 1 (Year 2)	9th March		14th March
Intensive 2 (Year 1)	22nd June		25th June
Semester 2	27th July	17th August	13th November
Intensive 2 (Year 2)	10th August		15th August
Intensive 3 (Year 1)	2nd November		4th November
Intensive 3 (Year 2)	5th November		7th November

Workshop Intensives

Workshop intensives are a core part of Metavision’s experiential, whole-person learning model. While not compulsory for all students, we strongly encourage attendance – particularly for those planning to transition into the PACFA-accredited Master’s program.

Both full-time and part-time students attend two 4-day intensives and one 2.5-day intensive per year.

Each intensive blends theory, experiential exercises, group dialogue, and embodied practice in a supportive and spacious environment. These sessions are designed to foster deep integration and relational presence — both essential to holistic therapeutic work.

While PACFA accreditation is not available through the Graduate Diploma alone, students intending to progress to the Master’s program must attend at least 50% of all scheduled intensives and online sessions to meet future course progression and accreditation requirements.

Day	Start	Finish
Full Day	8:30am	5:00pm
Half Day	9:00am	1:00pm
Online Tutorial	Throughout Semester

Graduate Attributes and Course Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attribute

1. Disciplinary Knowledge and Integration	Exhibit advanced knowledge of holistic counselling and psychotherapy, integrating transdisciplinary theoretical foundations with emerging developments in process-oriented and relational practice.
2. Ethical and Professional Integrity	Demonstrate high ethical standards and professional responsibility by adhering to recognised codes of practice, maintaining client welfare, and exercising sound judgement in complex and diverse contexts.
3. Reflective Practice and Self-Awareness	Engage in critically reflective practice through inner work, supervision, and self-evaluation, enabling personal growth and the development of professional insight.
4. Holistic and Systemic Thinking	Demonstrate an understanding of the dynamic interplay between body, mind, self, and environment, and will apply this awareness to therapeutic relationships, social systems, and community wellbeing.
5. Communication and Relational Skills	Communicate effectively and empathetically with clients, peers, and stakeholders, demonstrating deep listening, intercultural sensitivity, and the capacity to hold therapeutic space.
6. Research and Inquiry	Evaluate and apply relevant research methodologies, theories, and evidence-based practices to support effective clinical work and contribute to the broader field of holistic psychotherapy.
7. Lifelong Learning and Professional Development	Possess the skills for ongoing personal and professional development, adapting to evolving knowledge, practice standards, and the needs of diverse client populations.

Course Learning Outcome

CLO	Course Learning Outcome	AQF8 / PACFA Alignment	Graduate Attributes
1	Demonstrate advanced knowledge of holistic counselling theory and process-oriented methodologies.	AQF8: Knowledge PACFA 1.1, 1.2	1. Disciplinary Knowledge and Integration
2	Apply holistic counselling interventions ethically and professionally across diverse client contexts.	AQF8: Skills/Application PACFA 2.2, 2.5	2. Ethical and Professional Integrity
3	Demonstrate self-awareness and reflectively integrate personal insight into therapeutic practice.	AQF8: Skills PACFA 2.4	3. Reflective Practice and Self-Awareness
4	Communicate effectively with clients and peers using process-oriented frameworks.	AQF8: Communication PACFA 3.1, 3.3	5. Communication and Relational Skills
5	Critically analyse the role of power, culture, and deep democracy in counselling practice.	AQF8: Skills PACFA 1.3, 2.3	4. Holistic and Systemic Thinking
6	Plan, document, and evaluate holistic counselling processes with professional accountability.	AQF8: Application PACFA 3.4	7. Lifelong Learning and Professional Development

Part-Time Study Options

Flexible Study That Meets You Where You Are

Metavision offers flexible study options to support students balancing work, caregiving, or other life commitments. The Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice) can be completed on a part-time basis over two years.

Part-Time Progression

Part-time students typically complete two units per semester.
You may change your study load, switching between full-time and part time study, before the semester commences.
All required units for each semester must be completed before progressing.
If units are not completed on time, you may need to wait until the following year to retake them, based on availability.

If a unit is not successfully passed, you’ll be required to complete the current version of that unit when next offered.

Intensive Attendance

While not compulsory for all students, we strongly encourage attendance at workshop intensives — particularly for those intending to transition into the Master’s program.

Both full-time and part-time students attend:

Two 4-day intensives
One 2.5-day intensive each year

These immersive sessions blend theory, experiential exercises, group discussion, and embodied practice in a supportive, spacious environment. Intensives run full days, except the final day, which typically concludes earlier.

Students who intend to seek PACFA accreditation via the Master’s pathway are required to attend at least 50% of all scheduled intensives and online sessions to meet progression and future accreditation requirements.

Fee Structure

The 2025 unit fee applies only to enrolments commencing in 2025. Fees for future years are reviewed annually and published by 31 October.

Calendar

Core Units

Course Sequence, Units & Credit Points (26 cp in total)

Unit 101 - Models for Holistic Counselling & Psychotherapy (3cp) 0.115 EFTSL

This unit explores the evolution of holistic counselling and psychotherapy, beginning with the early foundations of modern psychology.

Students will be introduced to the influential insights of Freud and Jung, while also tracing the emergence of more integrative, soul-centred approaches that recognise the complexity of the human psyche.

Through reflection and dialogue, students begin to understand the diverse theoretical roots that inform holistic practice today.

View Unit

Unit 102 - Inner Work 1 (3cp) 0.115 EFTSL

At the heart of holistic counselling is the practitioner’s own journey of self-awareness. This unit invites students into deep inner exploration, developing reflective skills and embodied presence.

Through experiential exercises and personal inquiry, students begin to cultivate the inner stability and compassion necessary to hold space for others.

View Unit

Unit 103 - The Human Being from a Holistic Perspective (3cp) 0.115 EFTSL

This unit offers a rich exploration of human consciousness through a holistic lens. Drawing on the spiritual-scientific work of Rudolf Steiner and related thinkers, students examine the human being as a multi-layered, evolving presence.

The content supports students in expanding their understanding of health, development, and the deeper nature of the self.

View Unit

Unit 104 - Core Process Oriented Skills 1: Introduction (3cp) 0.115 EFTSL

This introductory unit lays the foundation for process-oriented psychotherapy, inspired by the work of Arnold Mindell. Students engage with concepts such as the dreambody, the continuum of consciousness, and the influence of quantum physics and field theory – all explored in practical, experiential ways that ground theory in lived understanding.

View Unit

Unit 105 - Core Process Orientated Skills 2: Working with Body Symptoms and Dreams (3cp) 0.115 EFTSL

Building on the foundation of process work, this unit offers hands-on practices for working with the body’s subtle messages and the symbolic language of dreams.

Students learn to tune in to sensory experience, bodily symptoms, and dream material as meaningful guides in the therapeutic process.

View Unit

Unit 106 - Core Process Orientated Skills 3: Conflict, Diversity and Relationships (3cp) 0.115 EFTSL

This unit deepens students’ capacity to work with interpersonal and intrapsychic conflict.

Exploring diversity, power dynamics, and Mindell’s four-phase conflict theory, students are guided to approach difference with curiosity, openness, and deep democracy — supporting healing and resolution in relational spaces.

View Unit

Unit 107 - Mental Health Practice (2cp) 0.077 EFTSL

This unit introduces holistic approaches to mental health, blending contemporary models like the recovery approach with process-oriented perspectives.

Students explore how altered states of consciousness can be understood and held with depth, compassion, and awareness – expanding their capacity to meet clients in varied psychological landscapes.

View Unit

Unit 108 - Holistic Counselling Supervision and Practice (6cp) 0.231 EFTSL

This unit grounds students in the ethical, legal, and social foundations of professional counselling practice.

Through case discussion, supervision, and reflective inquiry, students learn to hold themselves accountable with integrity while developing the confidence to work with clients safely, ethically, and within scope of practice.

View Unit

Course Faculty

Rose Harvey
Course Coordinator
Associate Lecturer in Holistic Counselling

Begin the Path to Purposeful Practice

Whether you’re feeling the call or simply curious, we invite you to take the next step toward the Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice).
Let’s walk this path together.

Essential Information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is this course accredited?

Yes. The Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice) is an accredited Higher Education qualification at AQF Level 8, approved by TEQSA (Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency).

While the Graduate Diploma alone does not meet PACFA’s Core Education requirements, it provides a strong foundation for students intending to continue into the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (Holistic Practice) — which is PACFA-accredited.

Students who complete both the Graduate Diploma and the Master’s program (including required intensives and personal therapy hours) will meet the education requirements for PACFA registration.

Can I study part-time?

Absolutely. We offer flexible part-time pathways that allow you to complete the course at a gentler pace while balancing work, family, or other commitments.

Are there any prerequisites?

Yes, you’ll need a Bachelor’s degree or higher, or if you don’t hold a degree, you may be eligible through an alternative pathway – please contact us to discuss your individual circumstances.

What is the time commitment for this course?

The course includes a combination of intensive workshops, online seminars, supervision, self-paced study, and assessments. On average, you can expect 9–10 hours per week for part-time study and up to 18 for full-time.

Can I apply for FEE-HELP to pay for my course fees?

Unfortunately, at the moment Metavision is not an approved FEE-HELP provider. However, we do have payment options available to allow you to spread course fee payments across the duration of your studies.

Do I need to attend the intensives in person?

While attendance at workshop intensives is not compulsory for the Graduate Diploma, we strongly encourage students to attend to enhance their learning experience. These immersive sessions offer valuable opportunities for connection, embodied practice, and integration.

If you are planning to use the Graduate Diploma as a pathway into the PACFA-accredited Master’s program, we recommend attending intensives – as they will support your progression and help meet future accreditation requirements.

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Metavision Institute is deeply grateful to the traditional custodians for their continuous custodianship and care of this unceded land and, specifically, Turrbal Country on which we live and work.

Read more about our Reconciliation Action Plan

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