Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (TC-L4)

Learner Documents

Criteria Assessment Sheet (CAS)TC-L4 Candidate Guide TC-L4 External Assessment Guide TC-L4 Guidance to Writing an External Assessment Case Review TC-L4 Specification Covering Statement for Candidates Wishing to Apply for UKCP Registration as a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor CPCAB Level 4 and Level 5 diplomas mapped to UKCP Psychotherapeutic Counselling training standards Europass certificate supplement for TC-L4 Study Focus - Theoretical Integration for TC-L4 and PC-L5 TC-L4 Agency Report TC-L4 Candidate Self-Review (1)TC-L4 Case Study Guidelines TC-L4 Client Log TC-L4 Giving and Receiving Feedback TC-L4 Group Work Self-review TC-L4 Guidance to 3 Types of Coursework TC-L4 Guidance to Workplace Experience TC-L4 Initial Learning Statement TC-L4 Learning Review Guidance for Candidates TC-L4 mapped to SCoPEd Column A TC-L4 Observer Feedback Skills TC-L4 Personal Development – Producing Evidence TC-L4 Personal Therapy Record TC-L4 Quick Reference Criteria TC-L4 Role-play Activities TC-L4 Self-review of Counselling Practice TC-L4 Skills Observation Feedback Sheet 1 TC-L4 Skills Observation Feedback Sheet 2 TC-L4 Supervision Log TC-L4 Supervisor Report (1)TC-L4 Supervisor Report (2)Tutorial Record

Tutor Documents

BACP Approved Practitioner Qualification Centre Application and Agreement BACP Approved Practitioner Qualification Registration and Certification Centre User Guide Centre User Guide to the BACP CoP Criteria Assessment Sheet (CAS)TC-L4 External Assessment Guide TC-L4 Guidance to Writing an External Assessment Case Review TC-L4 Specification TC-L4 Tutor Guide e-Portfolio statement Immediacy - Guidance, Practical Examples and Exercises NICE guideline NG225 Study Focus - Theoretical Integration for TC-L4 and PC-L5 TC-L4 Agency Report TC-L4 Candidate Self-Review (1)TC-L4 Case Study Guidelines TC-L4 Client Log TC-L4 Example Internal Assessment Schedule TC-L4 Giving and Receiving Feedback TC-L4 Group Training Supervision Feedback TC-L4 Group Work Self-review TC-L4 Guidance to 3 Types of Coursework TC-L4 Guidance to Workplace Experience TC-L4 Initial Learning Statement TC-L4 Learning Review Guidance for Candidates TC-L4 mapped to SCoPEd Column A TC-L4 Observer Feedback Skills TC-L4 Personal Development – Producing Evidence TC-L4 Personal Therapy Record TC-L4 Quick Reference Criteria TC-L4 Role-play Activities TC-L4 Self-review of Counselling Practice TC-L4 Skills Observation Feedback Sheet 1 TC-L4 Skills Observation Feedback Sheet 2 TC-L4 Supervision Log TC-L4 Supervisor Report (1)TC-L4 Supervisor Report (2)Tutorial Record

Purpose

This two year part-time qualification gives learners the knowledge, skills and competencies to work as a therapeutic counsellor in an agency context in both health care and non-medical settings.

This qualification is officially approved as a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) by Skills England. HTQ status confirms that the TC-L4 meets nationally recognised, employer-defined occupational standards and prepares learners for skilled roles in the counselling profession. As an HTQ, it carries enhanced credibility with employers and supports learners progressing into professional practice or further study.

Successful completion of this course means you will be able to provide a therapeutic counselling service – initially within the context of an agency’s service framework but later (with experience and support from the supervisor, or by completing PC-L5 or its equivalent) may progress to independent practice.

The Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling - BACP Approved Practitioner Qualification is an enhanced version of the standard TC-L4 which is approved by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and is awarded and certificated by the CPCAB. This represents a qualification partnership between BACP and CPCAB designed to support qualification standards and provide a smooth pathway to becoming a registered BACP counsellor.

Where offered by a centre approved to run the BACP APQ this qualification meets the standards set by BACP for approval, including fully incorporating BACP’s Online and Phone Therapy Competence Framework and allows candidates to sit the BACP Certificate of Proficiency in the familiar surroundings of their training delivery centre.

Read more about the APQ...

This qualification meets the requirements of SCoPEd Column A and provides candidates with a route to membership and accreditation with professional associations in counselling approved by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) e.g. BACP, NCPS, ACC. See more information on how CPCAB’s qualifications meet professional membership body requirement here.

Successful graduates of the Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling – BACP Approved Practitioner Qualification (APQ) can complete the BACP Certificate of Proficiency at their training centre and, on successful completion, gain BACP Individual Membership and registration.

NCPS Recognised Professional Qualification

As this qualification includes all aspects of the standard Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, it has also been given Recognised Professional Qualification status by the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) and, subject to the Society’s Terms & Conditions, is a route onto the NCPS national register of counsellors which is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

Entry requirements

You must have obtained both our Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills and our Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies, or their equivalent.

Read section 5 of the Specification for further information.

Funding

This qualification is approved as a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) by Skills England, meaning it meets national employer-led standards and is eligible for certain government-backed funding routes.

Centres that hold an Advanced Learner Loan (ALL) facility or are registered with the Office for Students (OfS) in England can transfer to the use of Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) funding for courses starting from January 2027. Please note Advanced Learner Loan funding will be withdrawn in 2030.

Centres looking to offer this qualification with access to the relevant student finance options can apply for registration with the Office for Students (OfS), subject to meeting the Department for Education (DfE) criteria.

If your centre does not currently hold an ALL facility or OfS registration, you can still deliver this HTQ-approved qualification. Candidates may self-fund, and the professional and employability benefits of the HTQ remain the same.

For more detail see 'A Guide to Funding for CPCAB Centres’.

Where to study Use our centre finder to find a 'Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling – BACP Approved Practitioner Qualification (TC-L4)' course.

Key Information Qualification Number 500/8088/X
HTQ Reference Number
HTQHS5071 Qualification Structure 7 mandatory units:

Working ethically, safely and professionally as a counsellor (R/600/9346)
Working within a counselling relationship (T/600/9355)
Working with client diversity in counselling work (J/600/9358)
Working within a user-centred approach to counselling (F/600/9472)
Working with self-awareness in the counselling process (H/600/9478)
Working within a coherent framework of counselling theory and skills (K/600/9482)
Working self-reflectively as a counsellor (F/600/9486)

Guided Learning Hours 420 hours (minimum) Total Qualification Time 1204 hours Credit value 120 Minimum age 19 years

Progression

Successful candidates may progress onto: