Counselling: Psychotherapeutic - Level 5 Diploma (CPCAB)

This course is accredited by CPCAB.

This course has been designed by CPCAB to provide you with a comprehensive and in-depth view of integrative counselling, which is grounded in practice, professional, and personal development and theory. It will provide you with the opportunity to develop the safe practice of the skills of counselling, within an agency setting or private practice, equipping you to take on a senior counselling role in an organisational context where client assessments, referrals and routine evaluation are part of the role. Throughout the course, you will evolve your core counselling qualities, which are central to the work of the counsellor, broadening and deepening your responsiveness to the varieties of human experience.

For information on our Higher Education policies, including admissions, fees, and student contracts, please see the links below:

• Complaints Policy
• Fees Policy
• HE Admissions Policy
• HE Student Contract
• HE Student Protection Plan

For our full list of policies, governance and fees, please see our website’s policy page.

Topics covered can include:

• Working ethically and safely as an independent practitioner/senior agency counsellor
• Manage the therapeutic relationship
• Work with differences and diversity
• Work within a user-centred approach as an independent practitioner/senior agency counsellor
• Use self-awareness intentionally within counselling work
• Work within a coherent theoretical framework
• Work self-reflectively as an independent practitioner/senior agency counsellor

You will need:

• Counselling - Level 2
• Counselling - Level 3
• Counselling - Level 4
• To be a member of a relevant professional body (BACP/UKCP)
• To be a registered member of the BACP

We request evidence of all qualifications. All applicants must have an assessment and interview to confirm that the course is suitable for them.

Demand for this course is very high, and we cannot guarantee all applicants a place on the course or the timetable of their choice.

Please note, we will always try to accommodate requests for groupings (Timetabled); however, this is not always possible.

You will need to refer to three types of coursework in your portfolio - documents, tutor observation and testimony - but what does that mean? Here are a few examples:

• Personal Learning Contract - these are your personal learning goals
• Learning Review (Learning Journal) - This is a regular exploration of your learning - your reflections on the input, discussions, experiences and readings for the course
• Self-Review - Formal review of your learning where you summarise what you have learnt in the course so far. There are a few opportunities over the year for this to happen
• Essay - Essays are assignments that allow you to explore a topic, which is either prescribed by your tutor or chosen by yourself. It is your opportunity to show your understanding of the topic, together with discussing and analysing any associated skills that you have developed
• Tutor Observation - your tutor will provide you with feedback when they observe you practising skills, making a presentation or participating in group activities
• Testimony - Feedback from your peers - this enables you to receive constructive comments from colleagues. It needs to be both verbal and written, so that you can reflect on your learning review and use the comments to help develop your skills. This should also be used to inform your self-review

There is also an Externally Assessed Case Review (3,000 - 3,500 words) - you must pass this alongside your portfolio to be deemed proficient.

Adults - Level 5

This course may be at a reduced-cost for you if you meet certain conditions:

• If you are not working or have a low income. You need to show proof of your income or benefits.
• Residency rules apply You need to show you have permission to live, work and study in the UK without conditions if you live in London, or 3 years before the start of the course if you live outside London.
• There are some exceptions, such as certain visa types.

Check here which documents you need to show us, and which visa types are allowed.

If you do not meet the residency rules, you can still enrol on the course but you may have to pay some fees. All applicants are fee-assessed during enrolment.

If you are not eligible for a reduced-cost course, you need to pay the full fee yourself, or apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

Some courses have an additional market premium that you need to pay, even if your course is funded or you take out an Advanced Learner Loan.

Some courses have additional costs, such as for specialist materials and trips.

Many of our students are eligible for financial support, see here for details.

Personal Counselling - a minimum of 40 Hours of personal counselling by the end of the course. This can include hours undertaken before the start of the course, but at least 10 hours of personal therapy must be undertaken during the training year itself.

Clinical Supervision - this is not always provided by the agencies where you complete client work, and you may need to pay. This can be either group or one-to-one supervision, as per the supervision ratio requirements of your chosen ethical framework or professional membership association.

Tuition Fees: £811.00 (Funded) plus a learner contribution of £1,589.00.

In addition to your tuition fees, there may be additional costs associated with your programme, such as day trips/excursions, e.g. visits to employers, exhibitions, and placements.

You may incur additional travel costs and, on some occasions, entrance fees.

Progression can be to:

• Foundation Degree in Counselling
• CPCAB Level 6 Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision (TCSU - L6) plus a recommended minimum of 450 supervised practice hours