Validated by the CPCAB (Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body), this course is aimed at those who are interested in developing their skills to advanced counselling practitioner level, and/or wish to progress on to the CPCAB's Psychotherapeutic Counselling Level 5 Diploma (formerly known as Higher Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling). You will cover a range of units designed to help you further your training as a professional counsellor and work with clients at a deeper psychological level.
Entry requirements
NOTE: You will only be accepted on the course by an essential interview with a member(s) of the Counselling Team. You must also bring a copy of all certificates (from other training organisations and colleges) to the interview.
You need to hold:
- Both CPCAB Counselling Skills and Counselling Studies Intermediate Certificates, OR
- Counselling equivalent Level 2 & Level 3 qualifications (a minimum study requirement of 180 guided learning hours, including theory and skills).
You will also need to provide evidence that you are committed to working safely and ethically within a counselling setting, submitting a paper of approximately 500 words with your application outlining your previous professional and personal development. You will be required to attend an interview to assess your suitability for this course, and you will be invited to complete a comprehensive skills test to assess your academic ability.
Progressing to Year Two will be subject to you successfully completing all assignment work in Year One, starting a work placement, as well as a tutor assessment of your readiness for client work.
Course content
You will be expected to:
- Work ethically & Safely as an Agency Counsellor
- Work within a Counselling Relationship
- Work with Client Diversity
- Work within a User-Centred Agency Approach
- Work with Self-Awareness in the Counselling Process
- Work within a Framework.
Assessment methods
Continuous assessment will comprise portfolio production, essays, case studies, seminars, presentations, personal journal, audio/video tape assessment. This will also involve self, peer and tutor assessment.
You will need to complete all of your first year assessments during the first year to progress on to the second year of this course (CPCAB permit one gap year).
During the second term of Year 2 you will be assessed to measure your ability to manage a 30 minute counselling session and you will need to complete a paper evidencing skills and understanding from seven areas of capability. You will also be required to complete a Candidate Learning Record evidencing your development over two years. You will also undertake a work placement within a counselling agency.
Further study and career options
Successful completion of the Therapeutic Counselling Level 4 Diploma will demonstrate that you have developed an advanced counselling capability to work within an agency setting.
Additional information
The course runs over two years, with 420 guided learning hours, a minimum of 30 hours of personal therapy and 100 supervised client hours. At least one agency placement is needed where clients are seen in the agency setting and not within client homes. The course fee for the two years is £4670. There is an additional cost of £20 for a textbook.
To prepare for your interview, please download and fill in the attached forms
Level 4 Counselling TC interview pack Wellbeing Questionnaire
Level 4 Counselling TC Interview pack CPCAB assignment (TC)
Level 4 Counselling TC interview pack Tutor reference form
Things I need to know when considering this course
- The training is in the person-centred therapeutic model.
- When booking a holiday, consider the attendance requirement, and make sure that it doesn't extend longer than one session.
- Dual relationships, such as close relationships and family members are not permitted.
- This qualification is not suitable for those who are currently in a state of significant emotional difficulty or confusion as it will involve personal disclosure associated with personal developmental activities.
Pay by instalments
The College offers an instalment plan for Further Education and Higher Education courses to students where the total amount payable at the point of enrolment is £200 or more. Within the scheme there is an ability to pay up to 6 instalments, depending on the length of the courses and the final payment must be paid at least a month before the end of the course.
Interviews are scheduled from 4:30-6:30 on the following dates:
Monday, 26 April
Thursday, 29 April
Thursday, 6 May
Monday, 10 May
Monday, 17 May
If you’re interested in having an interview with us, please contact Jo Lewis on (jlewis@bedford.ac.uk) for an interview pack.
Funding information
If you are aged 19 or over you may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan to help you pay the tuition fees for this course. Alternatively, you can pay by instalments to help make the cost of this course more affordable. Find out more about your payment options and how your loan could be written off at www.bedford.ac.uk/loans