Level Four Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling

This is a professional qualification aimed at those who wish to be recognised and practice as a professional counsellor.

The course aims to create a reflective practitioner who is competent in the knowledge, understanding and application of counselling skills within the framework of a therapeutic relationship. This competence will be underpinned by a deep understanding of core therapeutic model, which for this course is the Person-Centred Model of Carl Rogers. In the second year of the course comparative models of counselling, CBT and Psychodynamic will be studied.

Integral to the course is 100 hours of supervised placement.

This level 4 course is designed to be the first stage of a structured and systematic training for individuals wishing to continue their professional development in counselling through ongoing Continued Professional Development and/or access to a Foundation Degree in Counselling

For more information on how to enrol on this course, telephone 0345 120 0044 or email [email protected] 

What will I study?

There are seven mandatory units of study:

  • Professional organisational issues in counselling
  • Counselling in a diverse society
  • Counselling theory
  • Advanced counselling skills
  • Self-awareness for counsellors
  • Research methodologies in counselling
  • Counselling placement

 

Additionally in the first semester of year one, as an introduction to higher education study, a unit entitled Managing Your Learning will be studied.

How will I be assessed?

  • Each unit of study has assessment criteria which need to be met (using a range of assessment strategies such as case studies, reports, essays, research activities and individual and group presentations) in order for candidates to successfully complete the course. To progress unto year 2 candidates must meet all the assessment criteria of year 1.
  • This qualification is internally and externally assessed and externally moderated
  • The Counselling Placement Assessment File is completed as an e-portfolio and assessed externally by the Awarding Body

For more information about assessment, including guidance on marking, feedback and plagiarism, please refer to the HE Assessment Policy (section 5) and the programme spec for course-specific information.

Entry requirements

  • Applicants must be 18 years of age or over
  • Hold a Level Three Certificate/Diploma in Counselling Skills
  • Progression from level three to level four is not necessarily automatic. 
  • Applicants have to evidence their suitability to undertake this level four qualification 

What next?

Completion of this course is the first step in ongoing continuous professional development and career pathway as a counselling practitioner.  The successful candidate can be deemed as being a professionally qualified counsellor.  Those who complete may wish to progress on to further study at Degree level or in a specialist field of counselling such as working with young children, bereavement or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Additional information

You are required to complete 20 hours of personal therapy (approx. £35 - £45 per hour).  You are also required to pay for supervision when out on placement (approx. 20 hours at £35 - £45 per hour), BACP student membership, and fee for DBS certification, insurance when working with clients on placement and contribution to the cost of a Self-Awareness Development activity external to college. 

  • This is a vocational course that requires 100% attendance
  • This course is not designed to be used in any way for personal therapy
  • Partners and those in close relationships are discouraged from applying for the same course

For further information and to arrange an interview email [email protected] or contact learner services on 0345 120 0044

For start dates and fees, consult the Part-time course guide. 

Validated by ABC awards