This two year part-time qualification gives learners the knowledge, skills and competencies to work as a therapeutic counsellor in an agency context in both health care and non-medical settings.

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Successful completion of this course means you 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.

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The Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling provides:

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• coherent vocational and professional counselling training

• a competence-based training which highlights the development of skilled practice via experiential learning

• specific training for the role of counsellor in an agency

• the opportunity to learn a wide range of counselling theories and approaches.

• a pathway onto the Open University Foundation Degree in Counselling.

 

Details

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TC-L4 is regulated by the Office of the Qualifications & Examinations Regulator

(Ofqual) and is on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)

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Qualification/learning aim number: 500/8088/X

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Qualification Structure

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7 mandatory units:
 

• Working ethically, safely and professionally as a counsellor (R/600/9346)

• Working within a counselling relationship (T/600/9355)

• Working with client diversity in counselling work (J/600/9358)

• Working within a user-centred approach to counselling (F/600/9472)

• Working with self-awareness in the counselling process (H/600/9478)

• Working within a coherent framework of counselling theory and skills (K/600/9482)

• Working self-reflectively as a counsellor (F/600/9486)

 

Guided Learning Hours: 420 hours (minimum)

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Total Qualification Time: 1204 hours

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Credit value: 120

 

Entry requirements

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Minimum age: 19 years

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You must have obtained both our Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills and our Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies, or their equivalent. 

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• Identify reasons for training beyond just personal development

• Provide references

• Academically and emotionally able to cope with this level of training

• Ability to work with difference and diversity

• Possess personal qualities of imagination, intuition, openness and ability to benefit from self-development

• Ability to form a therapeutic relationship

• Self-awareness, insight, honesty and integrity

• Emotional stability and the absence of personality disturbance

• Ability to challenge and be challenged

• Ability to respond sensitively and empathically to others

• Capability to begin working with clients within an agency setting

• Are intending (and actively seeking) to begin work with clients during year 1 of the programme

 

This qualification is not suitable for those who are currently in a state of severe emotional difficulty or severe psychological confusion as the course involves some personal disclosure and associated personal development activities.

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This qualification has been designed to take account of the latest research findings on what makes

counselling effective and is underpinned by the CPCAB model of practitioner development.

The qualification currently offers routes on to the following professional body registers accredited by the

Professional Standards Authority (PSA):

 

• BACP – British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

• NCPS – National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society

• UKCP – United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (Standards for Psychotherapeutic counselling). Learners applying to UKCP must also acquire CPCAB Level 5 diploma in psychotherapeutic counselling.

• COSCA – Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland

• ACC – Association of Christians in Counselling and Linked Professions

 

The qualification is also mapped to the Counselling and Mental Health National Occupational Standards

(NOS), the BACP Core Curriculum and the QAA benchmark standards for counselling and psychotherapy.

 

The assessment strategy maintains a focus on practitioner skills and qualities as well as on written

evidence. The combination of tutor assessment and separate internal assessment values both

the vocational side of the work and the relational knowledge of the candidate and their work. The

qualification is reviewed annually to ensure it remains fit-for-purpose.

 

Centres have to meet robust centre approval requirements before they can deliver this qualification. All

tutors are approved and standardised by CPCAB, and centres are visited twice a year by a CPCAB external

verifier. (CPCAB 2024)

 

We invite you to attend a group interview bookable through Eventbrite. Please make sure you have booked your interview slot as you will be asked to pop the chosen date on your application form.

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How long will the course last?

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The course will be delivered once a week over (2 years); 420 guided learning hours – 76 weeks (38 weeks per year).

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We use the Solihull term dates for half terms and holidays.

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Admission to Year 2 is dependent on successfully completing Year 1.

 

What will I learn on the course?

 

This course consists of 7 mandatory units:

 

• Working ethically, safely and professionally as a counsellor

• Working within a counselling relationship

• Working with client diversity in counselling work

• Working within a user-centred approach to counselling

• Working with self-awareness in the counselling process

• Working within a coherent framework of counselling theory and skills

• Working self-reflectively as a counsellor

 

Our approach

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The course is based on a Humanistic and Integrative approach.

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The emphasis is on working with a humanistic core model and exploring the integration of theory, research, practice, and self-awareness.

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The integrative counselling aspect explores, challenges and compares contemporary theories to life. It also addresses the thinking, feeling, and behavioural aspects of human functioning.

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The integrative perspective draws from a range of theoretical orientations including: Person Centred, Psychoanalytic, Transaction Analysis and Cognitive Behavioural therapy. Please note this course does not qualify you as a practitioner in these modalities but looks at them from the perspective of integration.  

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The course is designed to help develop and train counsellors to become competent and ethically-sound practitioners working within an agency setting.

 

How will I be assessed?

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Your qualification is made up of three parts. Your internal portfolio, which will contain all of your collated evidence throughout the course, your placement of 100 hours and all related reports / logs and your internal student sign off. All 3 elements must be marked as competent to be awarded your L4 Diploma.

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Course activities include:

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• Workshops

• Seminars

• Personal development workshops

• Training group work

• Projects and Presentations

• Review of skills and understanding

• Review of learning

• Self-reviews

• Research

• Placement – 100Hrs

• Clinical and internal group supervision

 

Candidates are required to:

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• Undertake a minimum of 30 hours personal therapy throughout the duration of the course to ensure that candidates are sufficiently engaged with self-recognition. 

 

• Undertake workplace experience- a minimum of 100 hours formally contracted counselling (one to one) with at least 5 different clients. You will be required to find your own placement, although we will help where possible.

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• Undertake clinical supervision for their client work: one to one (group supervision can be used – please count this to the correct ratio).  Supervision should follow BACP guidelines of 1 ½ hours per calendar month for individual as a minimum, adjusting accordingly for any increase in weekly client sessions.

 

Progression Route

 

TC‑L4 is part of a suite of CPCAB qualifications. Candidates who have completed this qualification may progress to CPCAB’s Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (PC‑L5) or Level 5 Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Skills and Theory (CBT‑L5) or the Open University Foundation Degree in Counselling (for details of all of these go to: www.cpcab.co.uk/qualifications).

 

Or, following necessary counselling experience, they can also progress to CPCAB’s Level 6 Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision (TCSU‑L6). Where specified, credit for CPCAB qualifications or units may be used towards other QCF qualifications.

 

Online / Remote Sessions

 

All classes are predominantly taught face to face at our centre in Hockley Heath (Near Solihull / Shirley) with approx. 25% taught on zoom classroom sessions to experience the differences working online.

 

Current Course Start Dates:

 

2025 Start Dates (Please note these classes still operate term time only)

 

Monday 31st March 2025 - Evening – 4.30pm – 9.30pm

Wednesday 2nd April - Evening - 4.30pm - 9.30pm

Thursday 3rd April 2025 – Daytime - 10am – 3.30pm

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2025 Sept Dates

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Monday 1st Sept 2025 - Daytime - 10am - 3.30pm

Tuesday 2nd Sept 2025 - Daytime - 10am -3.30pm

Tuesday 2nd Sept 2025 - Evening - 4.30pm -9.30pm

Wednesday 3rd Sept 2025 - Daytime - 10am - 3.30pm

Thursday 4th Sept 2025 - Daytime - 10am - 3.30pm

Thursday 4th Sept 2025 - Evening - 4.30pm - 9.30pm

 

 

 

Next steps – If you are interested, please complete the application form below and pop yourself in for interview using the link that will be shown upon application submission. 
 

NB: We aim to run classes of between 12 and 14 students. If there is not enough interest in a particular

class we will contact you as soon as possible to talk through alternatives. 

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