Waiting List: Therapeutic Counselling - CPCAB Level 4 Diploma
This course is available for enrolment.
Course code: WL8606G
This qualification gives learners the knowledge, skills and competencies to work as a therapeutic counsellor in an agency context.
- when
- Various times, venues and start dates from September 2025
free
- who
-
Skills & Learning Adult Community Education
01202 123444
What the course is about
<p><strong>Please note, all the information below regards Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy. This is a waiting list for the next available course, by registering your interest in this course, we can contact you with details about the next available course and invite you along to admission sessions so you can start learning as soon as possible. The bulk of admission sessions take place in the Summer and longer courses typically start in the Autumn, but we do offer shorter more intensive courses throughout the year and can plan additional courses when we know there is demand for them.</strong></p>
<p>This two-year part-time qualification gives learners the knowledge, skills, and competencies to work as a therapeutic counsellor, within an agency context in both health care and non-medical settings. This diploma is based on the CPCAB model of practitioner development and therapeutic change. Upon successful completion of this course, the candidates will be able to provide a therapeutic counselling service - initially within the context of an agency's service framework but later (with experience and support from the supervisor, or by completing PC-L5 or its equivalent) may progress to independent practice. Course sessions are weekly over 2 academic years. Dates will be confirmed at the enrolment session and may be subject to change. With others in your class you will cover 7 mandatory units:</p>
<ul>
<li>Unit 1 Working ethically, safely, and professionally as a counsellor</li>
<li>Unit 2 Working within a counselling relationship</li>
<li>Unit 3 Working with client diversity in counselling work</li>
<li>Unit 4 Working within a user-centred approach to counselling</li>
<li>Unit 5 Working with self-awareness in the counselling process</li>
<li>Unit 6 Working within a coherent framework of counselling theory and skills</li>
<li>Unit 7 Working self-reflectively as a counsellor</li>
</ul>
<p>You will develop proficiency as a Therapeutic Counsellor at a counselling placement agency or workplace, under clinical supervision, where you are required to attain a minimum of 100 supervised client hours. A minimum of 40 hours of personal counselling is required throughout the two years of the course; 20 hours per academic year. With person-centred theory at the core, we will explore development of the self, identity, difference and diversity, mental health and ill health, loss and grief and professional practice including risk management and legislation amongst other subjects.</p>
<p>Interspersed throughout the course are major subject and issue specific topics which will be covered including; full day workshops on our inner child; employability; mindfulness; creativity; Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs); identity; difference and diversity; working with mental health and the positive impact of a healthy therapeutic relationship, on well-being and positive mental health, loss and grieving; co-dependency and self-care. We will be covering impact of trauma including Vagal nerve theory. We will look at attachment and stages of development, relating everything back to person-centred theory.</p>
<p>A variety of learning activities will be embraced within the two years. This helps to keep learning fresh, interesting, and challenging. There will be tutor presentation and demonstration, practical application of skills, individual and group work, discussions, Q&A, internet research, individual research, case studies, topic research and project work, PD group and group supervision. Book reviews are a helpful way to support knowledge in relation to the course. There will be a great focus on experiential work and encouragement to trust the process. Your learning will enable you to develop skills and knowledge required for work. There may be vocational specialist guest speakers, or employers, invited to share their skills and experience. Employability skills and developing a deeper self-awareness is key and is woven seamlessly throughout your time with us.</p>
<p>Regular home study will be essential to successfully complete this course. You will be supported to develop good study skills and independent learning. You will have one-one tutorials with the same tutor every 6-7 weeks, lasting for 30 minutes. There will be assignments set for home-study when the opposite group are attending tutorials. These will be uploaded to the tutors by 5pm on the study day. Your tutors will also support you to improve your English and maths skills alongside your learning of your vocational subject. This will include assessing your current skills and planning learning activities related to your subject that are designed to develop your skills in these areas. To support this, you may undertake some e-learning modules, where appropriate, as homework.</p>
<p><strong>Client work requirements</strong>: A minimum of 100 hours of formally contracted counselling are required (one-to-one) with at least 5 different clients in an agency setting. Candidates are required to find their own placement and appropriate supervision to undertake client work. The lead tutor will approve placements, supervisors, and therapists. Your personal therapy is completely confidential; we only require proof of hours completed. The placement client work ideally must start at the end of year one so that you have sufficient client work experience before progressing onto year two. <strong>You will have an interview with the lead tutor, to access your readiness to begin placement.</strong></p>
<p>Acceptance onto year 2 is not automatic. You will have completed your academic work, regularly and on-time. You will have secured a placement and have completed 20 hrs of personal counselling. You will have demonstrated a willingness to be reflective and develop your self-awareness as well as the ability to develop from robust and balanced feedback.</p>
<p><strong>Supervision</strong> in the form of either group or one-to-one supervision, to meet CPCAB minimum requirements. Three supervisor reports will be required; 1st at less than 20 hours client work; 2nd at less than 70; final report at 70 plus hours.</p>
<p><strong>Personal counselling</strong> candidates need to have completed a minimum of 40 hours of personal counselling with a therapist approved by Skiills & Learning. This needs to be completed by the end of the course with 20 hours completed by the end of year one. Please note that the personal counselling requirement is self-funded.</p>
<p>If you have declared at enrolment that you are unemployed, you may be invited to meet with an Information, Advice and Guidance Officer or employability member of staff, to identify other learning opportunities that will support you to secure employment or improve your employment prospects. We highly recommend that you engage fully in any other learning opportunities that we help you identify.</p>
<p>This is a vocational course leading to a qualification, and our Service is subsidised by public funding. You will be required to complete all the necessary coursework, assignments, and exams by the given deadlines. Please note, that if you do not successfully complete the course within the academic year, you will not be able to repeat it at the subsidised fee. For further information on the syllabus for this course please go to <a href="https://www.cpcab.co.uk/"">https://www.cpcab.co.uk</a></p>
Pre-course information session or interview
<p>You will be required to attend an <strong>admission session interview</strong> prior to enrolling on this course. Please go to <a href="https://www.skillsandlearningace.com/counselling-academy/">www.skillsandlearningace.com/counselling-academy/</a> to apply online.</p>
<p><strong>At this session, you will receive:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Full details of what is covered on the course</li>
<li>An interview with the counselling tutors</li>
<li>Activities designed to assess your suitability for the course</li>
<li>Information as to the pre-requisite skills or qualifications needed prior to enrolling</li>
<li>Information as to the home study requirements and commitment</li>
<li>Skills Check for English or Maths as appropriate</li>
<li>Details of learning or financial support that may be available to you</li>
</ul>
<p>There will be opportunities to ask questions. If you have any certificates for qualifications in this subject area, or for English or Maths, please bring them with you to the information session.</p>
<p>When you book a place on the information session you will be asked to complete a form confirming your existing qualifications and experience, and also to give details of why you are wishing to be considered to do this course. The information given will be used to confirm your suitability to attend the information session. If it is felt at this stage that the course is not suitable for you at this time you will be contacted before the admission session.</p>
<p>Places within our Counselling Academy are highly sought after and there is competition to secure a place. If you have been offered a place but no longer require it, please advise us immediately, as you may be preventing another learner from taking the place. Where learners do not attend the first session without having given prior notice, Skills & Learning reserve the right to offer the place on the course to another learner (see Cancellation policy).</p>
Assessment of progress, tests, exams
<p>This is a Level 4 assessed course. Once completed, your work will be marked and internally verified. An external verifier from the awarding body will visit to review your work before you receive your certificate. As soon as your certificate is received by Skills & Learning it will be forwarded to you</p>
<p>You will complete a substantial portfolio containing evidence of experiential work, learning reviews, self-assessment, audio and video taping, self-directed learning, self-development groups, written presentations, peer and tutor feedback, supervisor's reports, agency reports, evidence of therapy hours and client hours</p>
<p>External assessment in the second year. Candidates submit a 30-minute audio recording of a counselling session with a peer and associated 2-hour written Candidate Review Paper which is sent to CPCAB for assessment</p>
<p>You will negotiate a Personal Learning Plan with your tutor identifying the areas you need to develop, which will be reviewed at regular intervals.</p>
Who the course is for / Previous experience, knowledge or qualifications
<p>CPCAB have designed this course to support you with working in the Counselling sector. Successful completion of this course will provide skills and knowledge required to gain work in a therapeutic counselling role. You need to have completed the CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills and the CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies, or approved equivalent before applying for this course. You will need to have sufficient life experience, and psychological and emotional stability to undertake this intensive and demanding course. This will be assessed and confirmed by tutors at the enrolment session, as well as during the first 4 weeks of the course.</p>
<p>You can check the suitability of this course for a preferred career path or route to employment by looking at various job profiles on the National Careers Service website <a href="https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/">https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk</a></p>
<p>There is an expectation that if you enrol on this course, you are willing to commit fully to the period of time involved in this course, the associated home study and the assessed work required, and intend to sit the external assessment in your second year of study. </p>
<p>English language skills at Level 2 are required. You may be asked to complete an online assessment in English after to submitting a course application or as part of an admission session.</p>
Materials and costs
<p>You will require lined paper, pen and lever arch files for your notes and coursework. Recommended reading for research and coursework will be provided by your tutor on your first day. There may be further materials you could obtain to further support your study. You will be guided by your tutor prior to any purchase. <strong>Additional Costs:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Personal therapy 40 hours (minimum) with a person-centred therapist</li>
<li>Supervision costs if they are not provided by the agency placement</li>
<li>Professional indemnity insurance</li>
<li>Books</li>
<li>Joining a professional membership organisation</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>This course is accredited by Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB). </strong>Learners are encouraged to join organisations such as the National Counselling Society (NCS), UK Council for Psychotherapy, British Association for Counselling or Psychotherapy (BACP) or equivalent. Any equipment provided during your course is on loan to you and <strong>MUST BE RETURNED</strong> at the end of the course. If it is not returned you will be invoiced for the full cost of a replacement.</p>
<p><strong>Course costs for this Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling</strong> There are NO subsidies or concessions available for this course. For information regarding learner loans for this course <strong>please refer to</strong> the Finance page on our website <a href="https://www.webenrol.com/SkillsAndLearningace/?page=finance">https://www.skillsandlearningace.com/learning-with-us/finance/</a> If you do not attend a pre-booked practical or theory exam without giving the required notice you will be invoiced for the cost. Details of the fees and cancellation notice periods required are available on request.</p>
Next Step
<p>Graduates from CPCAB Level 4 courses often go on to work in agencies and then private practice. Some work in related areas, and all agree without exception that this course has changed their lives! Once trainee counsellors have successfully completed our CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, they are able to apply for full membership of a professional body. The trainees will have been a student member of one of the professional bodies, as a condition of undertaking a placement.</p>
<p>As a course that is accredited by NCS, the move onto a full membership with NCS is very straightforward. If BACP membership is preferred by the newly qualified counsellor, they will find it necessary to undertake an online proficiency test.</p>
<p>The Level 4 Diploma provides a pathway onto Open University Foundation Degree in Counselling.</p>
<p>Other courses may be offered by Skills & Learning or other local providers.<br />
There are a variety of e-learning courses that can be started at any time of the year.<br />
Up to date English and maths Functional Skills and Essential Digital Skills qualifications can help you progress at work or into further or higher education.</p><p>Need support planning your next steps? Our experienced Careers Advisors at Skills & Learning can offer personalised guidance on choosing the right course, exploring career paths, developing interview skills, updating your CV and much more. Book a FREE appointment today and get the support you need to achieve your goals. Visit: <a href="https://www.skillsandlearningace.com/learning-with-us/next-steps/" target="_blank">https://www.skillsandlearningace.com/learning-with-us/next-steps/</a>. Call us at 01202 123444 for more information.</p>
Additional information
<p><strong>English, maths and computing skills:</strong> all of our courses support the development of relevant English, maths and computing skills.<br />
<strong>Refunds:</strong> please see details of our cancellation policy in our Terms and Conditions on our website <a href="https://www.skillsandlearningace.com/policies/terms-and-conditions/">www.skillsandlearningace.com/policies/terms-and-conditions</a> or in our brochure.<br />
<strong>Attendance:</strong> before enrolling you should ensure that you can attend all classes offered as far as possible.<br />
<strong>Places on courses:</strong> many of our courses are in high demand. If you have been offered a place but no longer require it, please advise us immediately as you may be preventing another learner from taking the place. Where learners do not attend the first session, without having given prior notice, Skills & Learning reserve the right to offer the place on the course to another learner; you will not be eligible for a refund it it is outside of the terms outlined in our cancellation policy.<br />
<strong>Fully funded learners:</strong> if you have been offered a fully funded place on a course and no longer require it, you must advise us before the course starts so that your place can be offered to someone else. We reserve the right to withdraw future offers of fully funded places if you regularly do not start or complete funded courses.<br />
<strong>Home study:</strong> you will be required to do significant study at home between sessions to assist with your learning and progress.<br />
<strong>Qualification Levels:</strong> there is further information about qualification levels on our website.<br />
<strong>Proof of identity:</strong> please bring photographic ID and your National Insurance number with you to your first session. You will also need to provide it for any external examinations you take.<br />
<strong>Off-site activities:</strong> with some courses, there may be the opportunity for off-site enrichment activities at additional cost, for example: gallery, museum or exhibition visits. Where this is an integral part of the course, your tutor will discuss the arrangements with you during your induction.<br />
<strong>Parking at centres:</strong> parking at centres may be limited; please be prepared to use on street parking or pay and display car parks. For information regarding each centre, please visit the venue section of our website <a href="https://www.skillsandlearningace.com/our-centres/">www.skillsandlearningace.com/our-centres/</a>.<br />
<strong>Refreshments:</strong> tea/coffee or vending machine(s) are available at some venues. Further information can be found in the venue section of our website <a href="https://www.skillsandlearningace.com/our-centres/">www.skillsandlearningace.com/our-centres/</a>.<br />
<strong>Unspent Criminal Convictions</strong> we require learners to disclose any unspent criminal convictions. Please refer to <a href="https://www.skillsandlearningace.com/policies/disclosure-of-unspent-convictions/">www.skillsandlearningace.com/policies/disclosure-of-unspent-convictions</a>.<br />
If you have any <strong>accessibility or disability issues</strong> that we need to accommodate or if you think you may need any other support to complete your chosen course, please contact: 01202 123444 or e-mail <a href="mailto:enquiries@salbcp.com">enquiries@salbcp.com</a>. All enquiries are treated in confidence.</p>