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Key Facts

  • Starting
    22 Sep 2025
    Location
    Kingston Hall Road Centre
    Start Time
    09:30
    End Time
    15:00
    Duration
    34 Weeks
    Study Mode
    Part Time Day
    Start Date
    22 Sep 2025
    End Date
    24 Jun 2026
    Level
    Level 5
    Code
    KCO5001CP

    Fees

    19+ Fee
    £ 0 - 1,685.50

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Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (CPCAB)

Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (CPCAB)

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This qualification is designed to give learners the knowledge, skills and competencies to work as self-employed counsellors in independent practice. It also equips learners to take on a senior counselling role in an organisational context where client assessment, referral and routine evaluation are part of the role.

The programme is aimed at building specialised therapeutic skills in working as an integrative practitioner towards accreditation status. If focuses on building therapeutic skills for private practice.

Integrative practice - will help learners gain a specific set of tools to be able to adjust their work to the different needs of their clients and to be able to sustain their work in private practice.

This course is aimed at qualified counsellors at Level 4 who wish to specialise as independent practitioners working in private practice and gain accreditation status with BACP.

  • Entry Requirements


    • You must have obtained the Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling or its equivalent.
    • You should be in supervised practice at the start of the course.
    • You need to attend regular personal therapy.

    Applicants should be able to:

    • Provide references from placement and clinical supervisors.
    • Effectively work with clients from diverse backgrounds and embrace difference in all forms.
    • Exhibit key personal qualities such as imagination, intuition, openness, self-awareness, insight, and honesty, while remaining committed to personal growth.
    • Form and maintain strong therapeutic relationships with clients.
    • Be open to both giving and receiving constructive challenge in a therapeutic setting.

    Places will be offered following a successful interview with a member of the Counselling team.

  • Course Content


    This course will cover:

    • Working safely, legally and ethically as an independent counsellor
    • Working with complex aspects of the counselling relationship
    • Using theory and research to work with client diversity in independent practice
    • Using a coherent approach to respond to the needs of individual clients
    • Working with self-awareness as an independent practitioner
    • Using theory, research and skills within a coherent framework for independent counselling practice
    • Monitoring and maintaining professional effectiveness as a counsellor in independent practice

  • Progression Next Steps


    Progression routes:

    • Gaining Accreditation status with BACP, practicing as an independent practitioner
    • Private practice
    • CPCAB L6 Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision
    • Further professional development in postgraduate studies (MSc, DCPsych/DPsych, clinical Doctorate)

  • Additional Information


    The course starts in September and runs one day a week on Wednesdays over one academic year.

    The course fee is £1685.50. Learners maybe eligible for a Learner Loan of £811 towards the cost of this but will need to fund the remainder of the cost.

  • Course Structure


    You will be taught by qualified and experienced counsellors who are registered with professional bodies. Their expertise and knowledge are closely aligned with the course content. The teaching team includes senior academics and professional practitioners who are actively engaged in client work and successfully run their own private practices or work within healthcare agencies.

  • Assessment Details


    Candidates must be Proficient in internal assessment and meet all the qualification requirements including all placement hours to achieve the qualification.

    Internal assessment: tutor assessment of candidate portfolio evidencing minimum assessment requirements and verified by CPCAB. Some include:

    • Learning reviews
    • Written assignments
    • Supervision record
    • Transcript of clinical work
    • Observed skills assessment
    • Supervisor's report