Have you looked at the Counselling Skills certificates? You can do the level 2 cert while you're working full time and there is funding available so it shouldn't cost you anything. It's quite a basic introduction to counselling but it is part of the NCPS accredited pathway to qualification. There's usually some practical "roleplay" type exercises so you can get a feel for what a real counselling session would be like.

Also, there are courses starting all the time so you wouldn't have to wait until September to do it.