Our qualifications: at a glance
Award in Effective Listening Skills (ELSK-L2)
- improve communication;
- improve existing work roles;
- enhance personal relationships;
- improve collegial relationships within workplace teams;
- enhance helping relationships;
- promote better community relations.
Award in Listening Support Skills (LSK-L2)
- Peer Support work;
- as an important element of work as a helping professional;
- to improve work relations by supporting colleagues at work;
- to work with helping relationships;
- to support service users;
- to support the roles of para-professionals and volunteers drawn from the local community;
- to enhance community relations.
Award in Understanding Substance Misuse (USM-L2)
- raise awareness of substance misuse and its consequences
- improve the knowledge, awareness, understanding and effectiveness of those:
- currently working in the field of substance misuse
- supporting people involved in substance misuse
- working to prevent substance misuse
Award in Introduction to Counselling Skills (ICSK-L2)
- want to learn initial counselling skills to help others – either in a voluntary or an employed situation
- want to find out more about this field – this course won’t teach them to be a counsellor, but may help them decide whether or not they want to train as one.
Certificate in Counselling Skills (CSK-L2)
- want to learn counselling skills to help others – either in a voluntary or an employed situation;
- want to find out more about this field – this course won’t teach them to be a counsellor but may help them decide whether or not to continue training.
Certificate in Counselling Studies (CST-L3)
- take the next step in training to become a counsellor (having already acquired counselling skills);
- learn more about counselling theory and agency work
Certificate in Life Coaching Studies (LCS-L3)
- Cope better with life's difficulties and challenges;
- Develop their self confidence, self esteem and self awareness;
- Form, develop and maintain loving relationships;
- Meet the challenges and opportunities of their life stage;
- Make healthier lifestyle changes.
Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (TC-L4)
This qualification is intended for candidates who want to train to become a counsellor working in a counselling service agency. Successful completion of this course means that the trainees will be able to provide a therapeutic counselling service within the context of an agency's service framework.
Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (PC-L5)
Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Skills and Theory (CBT-L5)
Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision (TCSU-L6)
This qualification is for experienced counsellors who want to learn the skills of supervision to supervise counsellors working at service levels A and B.1 Participants will need to:
- have both supervisees and supervisory supervision
- be themselves working as counsellors under supervision
Voluntary Registration of Counselling and Psychotherapy
The new Accredited Voluntary Registration (AVR) scheme for health care professions was launched by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) at the end of 2012. This scheme includes counselling and psychotherapy and replaces all former plans for statutory regulation by the Health Professional Council (HPC). See our FAQs for answers to questions relating to the new AVR scheme.
Funding news
CPCAB has introduced a new ‘Funding Update’ feature on our website to keep you informed and up-to-date with the latest funding news about the Skills Funding Agency, the LARA, FE student loans and more. Read our guide sheet Funding for centres in relation to CPCAB qualifications. Students should read our guide sheet Funding for students in relation to CPCAB qualifications.
Your steps to becoming a counsellor
Choosing the best route into counselling is a vital decision – a proper training takes time and costs money. To help you make the right choice first time, we've put together a step-by-step guide. Take your first step by clicking on the button to the right.
The benefits of counselling skills training
CPCAB's research-informed model
The structure and content of CPCAB qualifications are based on a model of practitioner development and proficiency. The model has been developed through a process of educational design research over a twenty year period with respect to thousands of courses at hundreds of training centres.
- Read our Introduction to the contemporary research that informs the CPCAB model of practitioner development and proficiency
- Read our overview of the CPCAB model
- Read CPCAB's Service Levels Framework and Counselling Care Continuum
- View a pyramid diagram showing how our research-informed qualifications are designed to lead to evidence-based practice
Foundation Degree in Counselling
CPCAB, in partnership with the Open University, has developed a Foundation Degree in Counselling. The degree combines CPCAB’s expertise and specialist knowledge of the field with the Open University’s expertise and experience in delivering flexible learning.
The Foundation Degree requires candidates to complete 240 credits in total. This is made up of 150 credits derived from CPCAB work-based qualifications delivered in Further Education Colleges or in private training centres:
- CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling plus
- CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling or
- CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Skills and Theory
and 90 credit points from Open University knowledge-based modules.
The entry requirements for the CPCAB Level 4 Diploma are:
- CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (CSK-L2) or its equivalent plus
- CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies (CST-L3) or its equivalent.
In addition to these academic qualifications applicants for the diploma will need to demonstrate some knowledge of counselling agencies, growing self awareness and ability to skilfully form a helping relationship. See the TC-L4 Qualification Document for full guidance to entry.
It is important to note that progression on to the CPCAB Level 4 Diploma is not an automatic process and is dependent upon a successful interview with the training provider.
The 90 credits from the OU knowledge-based modules are gained from:
- The mandatory module D240 Counselling: exploring fear and sadness (30 credits) and
- The additional 60 credits which must be taken from a combination of the following OU psychology or mental health options:
DSE 212 Exploring psychology (60 credits)
ED 209 Child development (60 credits)
K225 Diverse perspectives on mental health (30 credits)
K272 Challenging ideas in mental health (30 credits)
K260 Death and dying (30 credits)
SDK228 The science of the mind: investigating mental health (30 credits)
The work based and the knowledge based components must be taken after the candidate has completed TC-L4. Candidates must start with D240 Counselling: exploring fear and sadness but then they are free to complete their choice of OU modules in any order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read CPCAB's answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Foundation Degree.
Further Information
For further information about the Foundation Degree in Counselling please visit www3.open.ac.uk/courses/bin/p12.dll?Q01G14
To keep up-to-date with new information about the Foundation Degree in Counselling please send an email to clare@cpcab.co.uk.
CPCAB centres can register their candidates groups online using the Candidate Registration System.
Standardisation training
CPCAB tutors can now book online using our standardisation training booking form.
See standardisation training for more information.
External Assessment
You can now view the External Assessment dates, Standardisation Training dates and Fee structure for 2012-13 online.
Keep up to date
CPCAB is now using twitter and facebook to share updates about what we're doing and working on. You can use the buttons below to find us.
For Learners
Current CPCAB learners can download Candidate Guides and support documents from the downloads section.
New to CPCAB? See FAQs for Learners for answers your questions.
If you're interested in gaining a CPCAB qualification use the training centre finder to find out where your nearest CPCAB approved training centre is.
Read a variety of content in CPCAB's blog section.
For example, Research Matters contains research-related items (e.g. relevant research papers, invitations to participate in research etc), whilst Resources for Courses contains advice, information, links, suggestions and other resources
For tutors
Find out why you should choose CPCAB
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