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CPCAB Qualifications and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
What is BACP?
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) is one of the largest professional bodies for counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK. BACP sets professional standards, supports practitioner development and promotes safe, ethical practice across the counselling profession.
Many learners choose CPCAB qualifications because they provide recognised qualifications that align with the standards expected by professional bodies such as BACP.
How Does CPCAB Work with BACP?
BACP recognises that CPCAB qualifications are high quality and that they meet professional training standards, helping learners demonstrate that they have the knowledge and skills needed to practice as safe and ethical counsellors. CPCAB encourages tutors and candidates to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the BACP Ethical Framework, the incorporation of best practice standards for supervision, client work placements, and inclusion of the BACP Online and Phone Therapy Competence Framework.
Benefits of Studying a CPCAB Qualification
The CPCAB core progression route from Level 2 through to the Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (TC-L4) meets recognised professional training standards and provides eligibility for BACP registered membership upon successful completion, with separate achievement of the BACP Certificate of Proficiency.
Learners who progress further with CPCAB studying our Level 5 qualifications can work towards BACP accredited membership. BACP Approved Practitioner Qualification (APQ)
CPCAB’s Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (TC-L4) is available through some delivery centres as a BACP Approved Practitioner Qualification (APQ).
This qualification is approved by the BACP 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.
The APQ incorporates BACP's Online and Phone Therapy Competence Framework, meets additional BACP approval requirements and enables learners to sit the BACP Certificate of Proficiency at their training centre.
Benefits for Learners
Learners who complete the TC-L4 or TC-L4 BACP APQ benefit from:
- Training that meets recognised professional standards
- Enhanced professional credibility
- Support for progression within the counselling profession
- Increased confidence for employers, clients and stakeholders
Additional benefits of the BACP APQ include:
- Training directly approved and annually reviewed by BACP
- Access to BACP student membership resources during the course
- Integration of BACP's Online and Phone Therapy Competence Framework
- Opportunity to sit the BACP Certificate of Proficiency at the training centre
- A clearer route towards BACP registration
- A smoother application process for registered membership with BACP
CPCAB and BACP Research Award
CPCAB and BACP also collaborate through a shared commitment to developing the counselling profession through research.
The BACP and CPCAB Research Award supports research projects that contribute to the evidence base for counselling and psychotherapy. The award aims to encourage innovation, strengthen professional knowledge and promote research that benefits practitioners, learners and clients.
The partnership demonstrates a shared commitment to raising standards, supporting best practice and advancing understanding across the counselling profession.