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Counselling - CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling

Course code: CSAP100P

Subject area: Counselling

Study level: Part Time

Course level: 4

Course details

9:00am - 5:00pm

Monday

18th Sept 2023 - 30th Jun 2025

Abingdon Campus

Contact details

enquiries@abingdon-witney.ac.uk

01235 555 585

Apply for this course

This two-year part-time Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB) qualification gives learners the knowledge, skills and competencies to work as a therapeutic counsellor in an Agency context. It is designed to lead to an employed or voluntary role in a counselling Agency in both healthcare and non-medical settings.
This is professional, humanistic integrative training. Students will be introduced to a variety of theoretical approaches, including Person-centred, Psychodynamic, CBT, Transactional Analysis and Transpersonal Perspectives.
The tutors are themselves working counsellor practitioners who have a passion to maintain the standards of the profession and encourage the best qualities within their students. Students will develop supportive peer relationships, as group work is a key element of the training. In addition to taught sessions and assignments, students will keep weekly journals, reflecting on their progress and experiences.
As a Level 4 course, the course is equivalent to the first year of university study. In addition to attendance at College, students must be prepared to undertake:-
• At least three to six hours of independent study per week.
• Personal counselling.
• Client work.
• Supervision.
• Students are expected to become student members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
This qualification leads to counselling employment in an Agency setting. It does not qualify students for private practice, for which Level 5 study is required. The qualification could also provide professional development or lead to employment for those working in a related field.

This course is validated by the CPCAB (Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body). CPCAB is an organisational member of the European Association for Counselling and their qualifications are internationally available. For more information, the CPCAB website can be accessed on www.c

During the course you will study a range of topics including:

• 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.
There is a minimum expectation of three to six hours per week set for the time spent completing homework tasks and independent study. This is likely to fluctuate at key points during the course, such as before the exam and when working on assignments.
To achieve the Level four qualification, learners must be assessed as proficient in all mandatory units and must be assessed as proficient in both internal and external assessments.
The course has two formal assessment elements and candidates need to be proficient in both to pass the course:
• External Structure Case Review exam
• Portfolio of evidence, which will involve a variety of documents including assignments, reviews of your learning and feedback
The expectation from CPCAB is that learners have a minimum of 80-85% attendance and it is essential learners are able to attend the first session.

There are 7 mandatory units:
Unit 1 - Working ethically, safely and professionally as a counsellor.
Unit 2 - Working within a counselling relationship.
Unit 3 - Working with client diversity in counselling work.
Unit 4 - Working within a user-centred approach to counselling.
Unit 5 - Working with self-awareness in the counselling process.
Unit 6 - Working within a coherent framework of counselling theory and skills.
Unit 7 - Working self-reflectively as a counsellor.
Students can progress to work within an Agency setting or can choose to continue their studies with progression to a Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling or Level 6 Diploma in Clinical Supervision. On completion of the course, once in clinical practice, counsellors can work towards accredited recognition by a professional body such as BACP, UKCP, NCS, HGI, BPC and ACC.
This is a challenging course requiring significant self-reflection and growth as well as academic achievement. The following entry criteria are required to ensure your best chance of success:-
• A proficient pass of a relevant Level 3 counselling studies training course
• GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C) or above. If English is not your first language, you will need to show that your English language skills are at a high enough level to succeed at your studies and you must hold an IELTS 6.0 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing,
• 19+ years old.
• Ability to translate intra-personal experience into written and spoken language
• Able to benefit from self-development and evidence personal insight
• Emotional stability*
• Ability to form a counselling relationship
• Awareness of difference and diversity
• Able to cope with course content**
• Be motivated towards developing as a counselling practitioner
• Provision of a health questionnaire, completed by the student’s GP, confirming that the course is suitable for the student.

*This qualification is not suitable for those who are currently in a state of severe emotional difficulty and/or severe psychological distress.
**The nature of this course involves experiential elements that will involve some personal disclosure and associated personal developmental activities.

Disclaimer: Please note that if an applicant has experienced a significant life event in the last 12 months e.g. bereavement or recovery from a mental health issue, the college has the right to refuse the application and will recommend deferring due to the demands of the course. This can be discussed at interview.

All applicants will be invited to a group interview day during which the entry criteria, above, will be checked, and a number of activities will take place, including a writing activity. Your place on the course will be confirmed following the interview day.
Home/EU tuition fee £4,670

Additional Costs
• a variety of textbooks are available in the College and online, however students may wish to purchase their own copies. Prices of core text books range from £15-55.
• Personal counselling (minimum of 30 hrs over two years) between £35.00 and £50.00 per session
• Supervision (if not provided within the Agency) between £50 and £80 per sessions. A minimum of 1.5 hours of supervision per calendar month
• Student membership of the BACP (£82 for 2022-23)
• Student counsellor insurance (costs are set by insurers)
• GP Health questionnaire (costs are set by the GP but are typically c£60)

As part of your course, we may organise trips to assist you with your learning. Trips are optional, and you will not be penalised if you choose not to participate. Bursaries may also be available to cover the cost of some trips.
Your course fee includes candidate registration with CPCAB and your first attempt at the external assessments. If a re-sit of an external assessment is required, you will be responsible for meeting the cost of the re-sit at the rate charged by the CPCAB at the time. The course fee covers the cost of the course for the advertised course dates. In very exceptional circumstances CPCAB may approve an extension of your completion date. In this instance, the College reserves the right to charge an additional fee to cover the costs of that extension. The amount of this fee will be stated in your course handbook

There are bursaries available to help you with other course costs. Call 01235 216 212 for more information.

The rules on fee reduction are complicated and we would encourage you to talk to our Admissions staff on 01235 555 585 to discuss your options. You can find more information on our Fees and Bursaries page - search "Fees and Bursaries" at the top of the page.




As part of your course we may organise trips to assist you with

16 - 18 Fee

19+ Fee

Tuition Fee: £4,670.00
Exam Fee: £0.00

Total Cost: £4,670.00

19+ Reduced Fee

CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.
Students will attend College for one day per week during term time over two academic years. In addition, two Saturday workshops are included in the course and will run in the spring of each year. Dates will be advised at the start of the course. College sessions will include taught material, skills practice, teaching supervision and process groups.
Assessment is in accordance with CPCAB guidelines and includes a portfolio and successful completion of an external assessment. Students are required to complete a weekly reflective journal. Portfolios typically include a range of evidence including reflective journals, skills practice feedback from tutors and peers, course assignments and Agency reports.
Students should expect to spend at least three to six hours per week on College work in addition to the time in College.

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