CPCAB PC-L5 – What’s New and Why It Matters (Special Edition Podcast with Counselling Tutor)

For those starting their journey as counsellors or those who have recently completed their initial training and are seeking their next professional step, the evolving landscape of therapeutic counselling qualifications can be both exciting and a bit overwhelming. The CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling is a crucial part of this next phase, and it has recently undergone significant review and changes.

In the latest special edition of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Liz Nicholl, Qualifications Development Manager at CPCAB, joined host Rory Lees-Oakes to discuss what’s new about the Level 5 Diploma, the reasons behind these changes, and how they will affect emerging practitioners and the broader counselling profession.

Why the Level 5 Diploma Matters

In the episode, Liz explained that the Level 5 Diploma serves as an essential bridge between qualifying as a counsellor—typically achieved through Level 4 Diplomas or the Scottish Diploma routes—and becoming an independent practitioner or a senior counsellor in an agency. Historically, the Level 5 Diploma provided advanced skills; however, recent changes within the profession, particularly the alignment of professional registration routes with the SCoPEd framework (specifically Column B), indicated that a review was necessary to ensure the qualification aligns with current standards.

So, what's changed?

Aligning with SCoPEd: Reviewing and Revamping the Qualification

Earlier this year, CPCAB conducted a thorough review of the Level 5 Diploma in response to updates in professional competency frameworks. Liz mentioned that while the Level 5 Diploma already met many of the standards required for accreditation by the BACP and NCPS, there were still some aspects missing when compared to SCoPEd Column B. This prompted a comprehensive mapping and updating of competencies and training requirements, incorporating key skills and knowledge to ensure that candidates can demonstrate their readiness for these professional membership categories.

For trainees, this means a more streamlined pathway to registration with organisations such as the BACP or NCPS. Your progression from Level 4 to Level 5 is now directly aligned with the requirements of SCoPEd Column B. While securing your clinical hours remains essential, your qualification will effectively showcase the competencies you need.

Key Skills: Autonomy, Ethical Decision-Making, and Practitioner Safety

Transitioning from agency work to independent practice can feel like moving from a safe harbour into open water. Liz and Rory discussed how agency settings typically offer clients who have already been assessed and provide oversight from more experienced practitioners. Once you enter independent practice, you take on the full responsibility for your own ethical decision-making and client contracts, often without immediate access to managerial support.

The revised Level 5 Diploma places a strong emphasis on working safely and competently in more complex environments. Liz highlighted the importance of making sound professional judgments, being accountable for your decisions, and understanding the safety needs of both clients and practitioners. Supervision is identified as a crucial support system for independent work, and humility—recognising when to seek help—is emphasised as a key aspect of competent practice.

Liz shared her own experience of a "steep learning curve" when she began creating policies and contracts for her private practice, illustrating how responsibilities change when you take on a managerial role. For trainees and newly qualified counsellors, the updated diploma now provides guided preparation for these realities, integrating ethical frameworks and safety strategies into the curriculum.

Responding to Complex Issues: Suicide, Self-Harm, and Risk

A significant update to the Level 5 Diploma is its explicit focus on addressing issues related to suicide and self-harm. While these skills were previously implied, they are now clearly examined to meet the SCoPEd Column B competencies. Candidates learn to recognise complex emotional and behavioural patterns, manage risk effectively, and seek collaborative, guideline-informed responses.

Candidates are directed to current best-practice resources, such as the NICE Guideline NG225, which addresses working with self-harm and suicide risk. They are also encouraged to engage in supervision and utilise ongoing support mechanisms.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Humility

A crucial aspect that is addressed is diversity, encompassing not only cultural and social factors but also biological diversity. Rory and Liz discussed the importance of cultural humility and critical self-reflection during this process. Candidates are encouraged to incorporate their research and personal insights into their work, recognising that challenges such as limited mobility or hidden disabilities can create barriers for clients.

Liz shared a poignant anecdote about a client with a heart condition who struggled to access her therapy room, highlighting how biological diversity can impact service accessibility and the need for flexible solutions.

By providing guidance towards resources such as the Race is Complicated toolkit, the Black, African, and Asian Therapy Network, and frameworks for exploring faith and differences, the Level 5 Diploma program aims to develop practitioners who can create accessible and responsive therapeutic environments.

Assessment, Formulation Skills, and Applied Research

The updated diploma emphasises the importance of assessment and formulation skills, acknowledging the growing use of outcome measures such as Core 10 and PHQ-9 in clinical settings. Liz explained that candidates receive support not only in using these tools but also in understanding their purpose and integrating them effectively with their chosen therapeutic modality.

Research underpins the entire qualification. Candidates are encouraged to be curious and critical thinkers, seeking out peer-reviewed articles, sharing and applying their findings, and evolving their practice in response to new evidence and client needs. This approach ensures that practitioners stay current and adaptable, allowing them to work effectively.

As Rory mentioned, counselling is no longer a static profession. Just as Carl Rogers continually questioned and researched, today’s counsellors are encouraged to think critically, explore new ideas, and adapt their practices for the benefit of their clients and the profession as a whole.

What Does This Mean for You?

For trainees and newly-qualified counsellors, the revised Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling offers an excellent opportunity for professional development. This program will provide you with in-depth knowledge and a comprehensive skill set, covering essential areas such as ethical decision-making, client safety, diversity awareness, and assessment competence—all designed to meet the demands of modern practice.

If you are considering entering private practice, seeking senior roles in agencies, or planning to obtain accreditation with leading professional bodies, the new Level 5 Diploma is tailored to meet those requirements. It will enable you to work safely, ethically, and effectively in today's complex counselling landscape.

For more information, you can listen to the podcast episode on the Counselling Tutor website or visit CPCAB's resources. You'll find that your next steps in this journey are clearer and more accessible than ever.

Listen to the podcast episode