The CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling is designed for those seeking to qualify as professional counsellors. This nationally recognised qualification enables learners to begin practising in placement settings within an ethical framework such as that of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) or the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).
A key feature of the course is the counselling placement, which plays a vital role in both personal and professional development.
This qualification consists of seven mandatory units that explore ethical, theoretical, and practical aspects of counselling through an integrative lens. Our chosen model is Integrative Systems Psychotherapy, based on the work of Petruska Clarkson.
The Seven Units:
1. Working ethically, safely and professionally as a
counsellor
2. Working within a counselling
relationship
3. Working with client diversity in counselling
work
4. Working within a user-centred approach to
counselling
5. Working with self-awareness in the counselling
process
6. Working within a coherent framework of counselling theory and
skills
7. Working self-reflectively as a counsellor
These units
are delivered through a blend of lectures, tutorials, group supervision and
experiential activities. Students will also need to attend an overnight
residential during the first year.
The CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling is designed for those seeking to qualify as professional counsellors. This nationally recognised qualification enables learners to begin practising in placement settings within an ethical framework such as that of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) or the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).
A key feature of the course is the counselling placement, which plays a vital role in both personal and professional development.
This qualification consists of seven mandatory units that explore ethical, theoretical, and practical aspects of counselling through an integrative lens. Our chosen model is Integrative Systems Psychotherapy, based on the work of Petruska Clarkson.
The Seven Units:
1. Working ethically, safely and professionally as a
counsellor
2. Working within a counselling
relationship
3. Working with client diversity in counselling
work
4. Working within a user-centred approach to
counselling
5. Working with self-awareness in the counselling
process
6. Working within a coherent framework of counselling theory and
skills
7. Working self-reflectively as a counsellor
These units
are delivered through a blend of lectures, tutorials, group supervision and
experiential activities. Students will also need to attend an overnight
residential during the first year.
I feel really privileged to have the opportunity to support people at a pivotal time in their lives and it fills me with a great sense of pride to know that I have helped people to turn their lives around.
Students can be assessed through a portfolio of work which includes, essays,
journals, observation of skills practice, discussion, projects, tutorials, peer
and self-assessment among others. You will also be assessed in your clinical
practice in an agency as part of this course.
There are no external
assessments such as exams needed to pass the seven units that make up this
qualification.
As part of this course, you will need to undertake 100
hours of formally contracted agency work with at least five different clients in
an agency setting.
You will learn about:
• Professional ethics
and boundaries
• The complexities of the therapeutic
relationship
• Self-awareness and self-evaluation
• Supervision
theory and practice
• Core theoretical approaches within an integrative
model.
On successful completion of the Level 4 Diploma you will be eligible to apply for the Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling at University Centre Somerset.
Placement Requirements:
You must have completed a Level 3 programme of at
least 150 face to face taught hours that includes assessment of knowledge and
skills.
You will need to commit to 25 hours of personal therapy and
obtain an enhanced DBS to be able to complete the placement requirements of the
course. All applications are subject to references and interview. Before
commencing your placement, you must successfully complete
a
competency-to-practice assessment.
During the placement, you
will:
• Work within an agency setting to complete a minimum of 100 hours of
formally contracted one-to-one counselling with at least five different
clients.
• Engage in clinical supervision to support your agency-based client
work.
• Participate in 30–50 hours of group training supervision as part of
the course.
You will also be required to join a recognised professional
body, such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
or the National Counselling Society (NCS), as a
student member. Membership
involves adherence to an ethical framework or code of ethics. Information on
current student membership fees is available on the BACP or NCS
websites.
*This course is subject to approval.
The course fee is £4670.00* per year of study.
For more information regarding course fees, please read our 'Fees and Funding' page.
*Fees are subject to review annually. The fees for existing students may be increased annually in line with the Retail Price Index.