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Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling

Introductory Summary
Qualification title: Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (PC-L5).
QCA Accreditation Number: PC-L5 is accredited into the National Qualifications Framework by the Qualifications & Curriculum Authority (QCA). The QCA's Qualification Accreditation Number for PC-L5 is 100/5035/8.

The QCA Accreditation Number also appears in the Learning & Skills Council's on-line Learning Aims Database (which can be used to ascertain funding eligibility), except there it is called the “Learning Aim Number”.
Target candidates: This qualification is for learners who want to train to become Independent Practitioners and/or Senior Counsellors working in a counselling service agency. All agencies should provide the trainee with a service framework that includes both line management and clinical supervision. Successful completion of this course means that the trainees will be able to work as an independent, professional counselling practitioner and/or provide a therapeutic counselling service within the context of an agency's service framework.

This qualification is intended for candidates who have acquired the CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (or its APL and/or APEL equivalent) and wish to continue to develop their understanding and skills in order to:

  • Establish & maintain an appropriate framework for Independent Practice.
  • Practice as a senior counsellor within an Agency.
  • Develop their proficiency to work with clients at CPCAB Service Level B2. [Working with common mental health problems at this implicit level often involves the exploration and working through of 'no-go' areas. These are areas of personality, personal history and interpersonal relationships that are very uncomfortable for the client and have tended to be psychologically separated off and 'left untouched'. See Tutor User Guide (see below) for a fuller description of this (and other) Service Levels.]
  • Deepen their ability to work with the counselling relationship.
  • Develop their proficiency in one particular counselling approach.
  • Facilitate understanding of working in health settings.
  • Carry out client assessments (including identifying and referring clients with severe and complex mental health problems).
Summary list of units
Unit
 Unit No Unit Title
1 L/103/0449 Work ethically and safely as an independent and senior counsellor
2 F/103/0450 Work within a counselling relationship as an independent & senior counsellor
3 J/103/0451 Working with difference and diversity as an independent & senior counsellor
4 L/103/0452 Work within a user-centred approach as an independent and senior counsellor
5 R/103/0453 Work with self-awareness in a therapeutic relationship
6 Y/103/0454 Work within an integrated framework of counselling theory and skills
7 D/103/0455 Work self-reflectively as an independent and senior counsellor

All of the units are based on CPCAB's model of practitioner development and proficiency.

A complete unit specification (including unit learning outcomes, unit-elements and element-criteria) is given in both the PC-L5 Tutor User Guide and the PC-L5 Candidate User Guide.

Qualification Details
External Assessment
Case Review of 3,000 - 3,500 words. For further information see the PC-L5 Tutor User Guide.
Further information
Status of qualification:
  1. Accredited into the National Qualifications Framework by the Qualifications & Curriculum Authority (QCA): Accreditation Number 100/5035/8. This allows funding of eligible courses by the Learning & Skills Council (LSC).
  2. Formally supported by the Employment National Training Organisation (ENTO).
  3. CPCAB qualifications attract a Band C Programme Weighting in the LSC's funding formula and are eligible for LSC funding.
Course length: 210 - 270 Guided Learning Hours (GLH): minimum 270 GLH.
Minimum age: 21 years old.

However, the CPCAB strongly recommends that candidates be at least 25 years old - potential trainees under this age need to be assessed especially carefully prior to course entry.
Entry requirements: Candidates must have obtained the CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (TC-L4) or its APL and/or APEL equivalent (minimum 420 Guided Learning Hours), in addition to appropriate pre-TC-L4 (or equivalent) training.
Progression: Successful candidates may progress onto the CPCAB Level 6 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision (TCSU-L6), provided they have acquired at least one year (part-time) of post PC-L5 supervised clinical experience prior to starting the TCSU-L6 course.
Recommended maximum group size: Maximum of 16 learners.
Assessment: Candidate Portfolio and externally-assessed Case Review (3,000-3,500 words).

Candidates must pass both the internal and external assessment to receive the qualification.
Additional study time: Approx 6 - 8 hours per week.
Personal counselling or therapy (for trainee): Candidates need to have completed a minimum of 40 hours of personal counselling by the end of the course. This can include hours undertaken prior to the start of the course, but at least 10 hours of personal therapy must be undertaken during the training year itself.
Client work requirements: Candidates must complete a minimum of 60 supervised client hours, within which they must have the opportunity to apply and develop the learning covered by the course programme. This client work must include carrying out client assessments and working over the medium term (6+ hours) with at least four clients.
Supervision Requirements: Supervision - in the form of either group or one-to-one supervision - must meet BACP minimum requirements.
Staffing and other resources: At least two tutor-assessors must be involved in all aspects of internal candidate assessment.

Staffing and other resources must reflect the Band C Programme Weighting factor available for this qualification.
Internal moderation and verification: Centres are required to have robust internal moderation and verification processes which are externally verified by CPCAB.
CPCAB candidate registration fee: £199 per candidate.
Centre application for CPCAB approval to offer the qualification: Centre application fee: £79 (one-off fee).

Centres can design their own training programmes (*) or use approved course material (**) written to CPCAB specifications.

* All Centre-designed courses must be submitted to CPCAB for approval before candidates can be registered. Although the delivery of courses may differ from Centre to Centre, all delivery must enable the candidates to achieve the learning outcomes specified in the units.

** Please contact CSCT on 0870 163 6900 or visit www.counsellingtraining.com for further details.
For further details contact: Tel. 01458 850350. Email: admin@cpcab.co.uk