Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (PC-L5)
Overview
This one-year course is designed for candidates who want to train to become independent autonomous practitioners.
Successful completion of this course means you will be able to work as an independent, professional counselling practitioner.
You are undertaking a course that leads to a nationally regulated qualification on the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) awarded by the Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB) – the only Ofqual approved awarding body to specialise in the field of counselling and supervision.
This is a great leading to working for yourself, self-employed as a private practitioner. We cover a range of PP elements on the course as well as taking a deeper look into theoretical application of working with adults (+16yrs).
This qualification will enable successful candidates to work as counsellors in a range of job and career opportunities, which include but are not limited to:
• An autonomous counsellor in private practice or agency settings.
• Work as a senior counsellor within a counselling agency.
• The graduate may choose to diversify into the area of teaching counselling within a FE or HE context providing they have suitable teaching experience or qualifications.
You will deepen your understanding of the profession, including; the counselling relationship, client assessments and integrated theoretical approaches. You will gain the expertise and qualification to work in independent practice, or take a senior counselling role within an agency.
The course is suitable for students progressing from Level 4. It will add to your existing knowledge and prepare you for employment.
The qualification you gain can also count towards a Foundation Degree in Counselling.
Entry Requirements
Minimum age: 22 years
Minimum Hours: 100 qualifying hours and a minimum of 50 hours post qualified.
Personal Therapy: Minimum of 30 hours personal therapy undertaken during L4 training.
CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (TC-L4) or the Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) equivalent (minimum 420 Guided Learning Hours), in addition to appropriate pre-TC-L4 (or equivalent) training.
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Ability to identify reasons for training beyond just personal development
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Provide references
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Academically and emotionally able to cope with this level of training
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Ability to work with difference and diversity
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Possess personal qualities of imagination, intuition, openness and ability to benefit from self-development.
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Ability to form a therapeutic relationship
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Have self-awareness, insight, honesty and integrity
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Emotional stability and the absence of personality disturbance
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Ability to challenge and be challenged
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Ability to respond sensitively and empathically to others
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Professional qualities required for autonomous practice
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.
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.
Details
PC-L5 is regulated by the Office of the Qualifications & Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) and is on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)
Qualification/learning aim number: 500/8386/7.
Guided Learning Hours: 120 hours
Total Qualification Time: 458 hours
Credit value: 46
Attendance - 80% attendance is mandatory and is a non-negotiable part of this course.
Assessment
Assessment will be entirely internal.
Internal Student Progress Assessment: During the course, regular tutorials and progress meetings will be undertaken, with prep required from both the student and the tutor. This will form the basis of your personal plan to competency.
Complete 60 hours minimum of one-to-one, formally contracted counselling as practitioner; exercising autonomy in your role as counsellor and carry the responsibility for assessment.
This could be as a senior practitioner in an agency/organisation or working as a private practitioner working for an external organisation, a counsellor working for an Employee Assistance Programme or a counsellor in private practice.
You will also be required to complete a minimum of 10 hours of personal counselling therapy (total of 40 hours from level 4 to end of level 5 – if 30 hours have not been undertaken before this then additional therapy throughput the course will be required).
Supervision requirements - Supervision – in the form of either group or one-to-one supervision – to meet BACP minimum requirements (min 10 hours).
Internal assessment: You will be expected to build a portfolio. The three assessment methods used throughout the training are Review of Documents, Tutor Observation and Testimony in order to meet the course criterion. You will also be expected to include a review of a 15-minute transcript of clinical work.
Research and additional ‘homework’ is expected to help you achieve the necessary learning level and criterion.
Course activities include:
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Workshops
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Seminars
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Personal development workshops
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Training group work
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Projects and Presentations
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Review of skills and understanding
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Review of learning
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Self-reviews
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Research
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Placement – 60Hrs
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Clinical and internal group supervision
All classes are predominantly taught face to face at our centre in Hockley Heath (Near Solihull / Shirley) with up 25% of the course being taught remotely so as to experience working in different mediums.
Approach
The course is based on a Humanistic and Integrative approach.
The emphasis is on working with a humanistic as a core model and exploring the integration of theory, research, practice, and self-awareness.
The integrative counselling aspect explores, challenges and compares contemporary theories to life. It also addresses the thinking, feeling, and behavioural aspects of human functioning.
The integrative perspective draws from a range of theoretical orientations including: Person Centred, Psychoanalytic and DBT, Cognitive Behavioural therapy.
The course is designed to help develop and train counsellors to become competent and ethically-sound practitioners.
The ultimate aims are to equip counsellors with the tools and interventions they require to develop their own styles, enabling them to work with clients experiencing a range of common life problems to more complex issues.
Course Dates
Sept 2025
Thursday 4th Sept 2025 – 10am – 3pm
Units of Study
This qualification is made up of a mandatory unit which has seven learning outcomes and associated assessment criteria. This structure is based on the seven processes of the CPCAB model.
To achieve the qualification you must be (a) assessed by your tutor as Proficient in all seven learning outcomes of the mandatory unit; and (b) pass your student progress competency checks.
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Work safely, legally and ethically as an independent counsellor
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Work with complex aspects of the counselling relationship
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Use theory and research to work with client diversity in independent practice
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Use a coherent approach to respond to the needs of individual clients
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Work with self-awareness as an independent practitioner
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Use theory, research and skills within a coherent framework for independent counselling practice
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Monitor and maintain professional effectiveness as a counsellor in independent
Costs
2024 / 2025 Academic Year Fees (All fees are payable in full and non-refundable)
Registration fee: £385 per year – This will be required as a deposit upon acceptance of your place.
Course fee: £1850 per year – This can be paid in 10 instalments of £185.
All course fees must be paid before certification and results are released.
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2025 / 2026 Academic Year Fees (All fees are payable in full and non-refundable)
Registration fee: £395 per year – This will be required as a deposit upon acceptance of your place.
Course fee: £1950 per year – This can be paid in 10 instalments of £195.