Qualification Information: 

This qualification is designed to give learners the knowledge, skills and competencies to work as self-employed counsellors in independent practice. It also equips learners to take on a senior counselling role in an organisational context where client assessment, referral and routine evaluation are part of the role. This qualification will enable successful candidates to work as counsellors in a range of jobs 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 an FE or HE context, provided they hold suitable teaching experience or qualifications. 

Guided Learnining Hours: 120
Total Qualification Time: 458
Credit Value: 46
Minimum Age: 19

Entry Requirements

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.
 

Please see: 

• CPCAB Candidate Entry Requirements for criteria considered important in selecting applicants for a programme leading to PC-L5. 

• CPCAB’s RPL Guidance. 

Assessment Proficient (Pass)/Not Proficient (Fail) 
 

Candidates must be Proficient in internal assessment and meet all the qualification requirements, including all placement hours to achieve the qualification. Internal assessment: tutor assessment of candidate portfolio, evidencing minimum assessment requirements and verified by CPCAB. 

(See CPCAB’s Minimum Assessment Requirements).

Additional Qualification Requirements: Personal counselling: a minimum of 40 hours of personal counselling by the end of the course. This can include hours undertaken before the start of the course, but at least 10 hours of personal therapy must be undertaken during the training year itself.

Client work: a minimum of 60 hours of formally contracted counselling (one-to-one), including client assessment. 

Clinical Supervision: either group or one-to-one supervision, as per the supervision ratio requirements of their chosen ethical framework or professional membership association