Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (PC-L5)
About this course
Level 5 Psychotherapeutic Counselling is designed for qualified counsellors who want to deepen their therapeutic practice and develop the knowledge, skills and confidence required for autonomous and independent counselling work.
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Building on your Level 4 training, the course develops a more advanced understanding of the therapeutic relationship, client assessment, complex client work, theory and research, and the professional responsibilities involved in independent practice.
The course has a Humanistic and Integrative foundation, supporting you to develop a coherent approach to your work while exploring and integrating a range of therapeutic perspectives.
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Successful completion can support progression into independent private practice, senior counselling roles within organisations and agencies, and further professional development and training.
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Course at a glance
1 year
Course duration
120 hours
Guided learning
Face to Face
Hockley Heath, Solihull
90%
Attendance requirement
What you'll learn
Level 5 develops your existing counselling knowledge and practice, with greater emphasis on working autonomously, integrating theory and research, and responding to more complex aspects of therapeutic work.
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Throughout the course, you will explore:
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• Working safely, legally and ethically as an independent counsellor
• Managing complex aspects of the therapeutic relationship
• Using theory and research to deepen your work with diversity
• Developing and using a coherent approach to client assessment
• Selecting and evaluating therapeutic interventions in response to individual client need
• Deepening your use of self-awareness within therapeutic practice
• Integrating theory, research and skills within a coherent therapeutic framework
• Working with common mental health problems and concepts of psychopathology
• Using clinical supervision critically and effectively
• Developing your professional practice through evaluation, audit and continuing professional development
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Professional practice requirements
60 hours
Client work
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40 hours
Personal therapy by completion (Can include L4 - pls check)
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Clinical Supervision
Throughout placement
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Autonomous Practice
Developing independent practice
During Level 5 you will complete a minimum of 60 hours of formally contracted one-to-one counselling, including responsibility for client assessment. This may be undertaken within an agency or organisation, through an Employee Assistance Programme, or within independent private practice.
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By the end of Level 5, you must have completed a minimum of 40 hours of personal therapy in total, including any qualifying therapy completed previously. At least 10 hours of personal therapy must be undertaken during the Level 5 training year itself.
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You will also undertake appropriate clinical supervision throughout your client work in accordance with the requirements of your chosen ethical framework or professional membership body.
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Assessment
Assessment takes place throughout the course and reflects your development as an autonomous practitioner, your theoretical understanding, reflective practice and clinical work.
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You will build a portfolio of evidence across all seven learning outcomes. This includes written assignments, reflective learning, client and supervision records, assessed counselling practice, case presentation and tutor observation.
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You will also complete a review of a 15-minute transcript of your clinical work, alongside evidence from your supervisor and peer feedback.
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Regular tutorials and progress reviews will support you in monitoring your development throughout the course. To achieve the qualification, you must meet all course requirements, including the required client hours, and demonstrate proficiency across all seven learning outcomes.
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Entry requirements
Applicants must be aged 19 or over and hold the CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (TC-L4) or an equivalent Level 4 or above counselling qualification of at least 300 Guided Learning Hours, aligned with SCoPEd Column A competencies, together with appropriate prior counselling training.
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Applicants must also have completed a minimum of 150 supervised client hours, including their qualifying placement hours. This reflects the advanced nature of Level 5 training and ensures that students have sufficient post-qualification practice experience to have begun developing their own professional identity, therapeutic approach and understanding of client work.
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As this is advanced post-practitioner training, applicants need to demonstrate readiness to develop their work at a greater level of depth, complexity and autonomy.
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When considering applications, we will look for:
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• Clear professional reasons for undertaking Level 5 training
• The academic and emotional capacity to work at Level 5
• Experience of therapeutic counselling practice
• Self-awareness, insight, honesty and integrity
• The ability to form and sustain therapeutic relationships
• The ability to work sensitively with difference and diversity
• Openness to personal development and reflective learning
• The ability to give, receive and respond to challenge and feedback
• The professional qualities required for autonomous practice
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Important: Level 5 involves experiential learning, personal disclosure and engagement with complex therapeutic material. Applicants need to be sufficiently emotionally and psychologically able to engage safely with the demands of advanced practitioner training.
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Course dates & times
October 2026
Thursday daytime
22 October 2026
10.00am – 3.30pm
Sept 2027
Thursday daytime
2 September 2027
10.00am – 3.30pm
Course dates are scheduled across the academic year and Solihull term dates.
A full course timetable will be provided to students before the course begins.
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Course fees
£2,495
2026/27 course fee
£500 deposit
+ 10 monthly installments of £199.50
2027/28 fees to be confirmed
£500 deposit
+10 monthly installments of £TBC
Course fees are payable in full and remain payable if you withdraw from the course before completion. Fees can be paid in full or through our monthly payment plan.
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All cohorts are subject to minimum enrolment numbers. If a course is unable to run, applicants will be notified at least two weeks before the scheduled start date.
Qualification & progression
On successful completion, you will achieve the CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (PC-L5).
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This advanced post-practitioner qualification develops the depth of therapeutic practice and professional competence required for autonomous counselling work. It meets SCoPEd Column B competencies and, with sufficient practice hours, provides routes towards membership and accreditation with professional counselling associations approved by the Professional Standards Authority.
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Following Level 5 and sufficient client-work experience, you may progress to the CPCAB Level 6 Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision (TCSU-L6). The qualification can also contribute towards further higher-education study and credit transfer.
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Qualification: CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (PC-L5)
46
Credit Value
458 hours
Total Qualification Time (TQT)
120
Guided Learning Hours (GLH)
500/8386/7
Qualification number
Level 5
RQF qualification
Ready to apply?
Ready to deepen your practice and take the next step in your professional development?
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Please complete our application form and book a place at one of our upcoming Level 5 group interviews using the links below. Available interview dates and times can be viewed and booked through Eventbrite.
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