The Way Forward Centre CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
This RQF qualification is regulated by Ofqual in England, Qualifications Wales in Wales and CCEA in Northern Ireland.
Qualification/learning aim number: 500/8386/7
This Course is delivered 100% Online via Zoom, successful candidates who live locally can also visit the centre to borrow books from the library and have face to face tutorial contact with a tutor by arrangement.
Online resources and access to an online library is provided to all Way Forward Students.
NEXT PC-L5 INTAKE: Wednesday 4th September 2024 until Wednesday 16th July 2025
Classes run fortnightly, Wednesdays 9.30am until 4.30pm, 6 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) per day, total 120 GLH
There are no classes during the school holidays, The Way Forward Centre follows the Swansea Council School Holiday timetable which may not be the same as in your local area.
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THEORETICAL APPROACH
This course is designed to follow on from the Way Forward Centre TC-L4 Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling BACP Approved Practitioner Qualification. As such we continue with an Integrative Humanistic Approach focused on the Person Centred Approach, Gestalt and Existential Philosophy. Petruska Clarkson’s 5 Relationships are the focus of our integrative approach. Students applying for this course externally will need to be Humanistic in orientation, although a knowledge of the approach adopted by the centre would be useful it is not essential.
The Way Forward Centre also considers Pluralistic Philosophy and Practice as an underpinning approach to counselling. This is in response to the growth of Pluralism over recent years. Pluralism is not a theoretical approach in its own right but considers the collaborative nature of the relationship between therapist and client, and advocates for client choice in how they wish to approach therapy. Pluralism values the place of all therapeutic approaches, with no one approach being more important than another. Recognising that clients have different needs and will benefit from different approaches and styles of approach at different times.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (TC-L4) or the Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) equivalent
(minimum 420 Guided Learning Hours)
Access to this course is via interview, you will be required to evidence your previous learning and experience, along with providing copies of certificates if they are available.
If you are new to the Way Forward Centre, you will be required to provide 2 professional references
The CPCAB recommend the following candidate requirements to enrol on this course:
This qualification is not suitable for those who are currently in a state of severe emotional difficulty and/or severe psychological distress. As a Centre we ensure that all potential candidates are made aware of the nature of the course, and in particular that the course involves experiential elements that will involve some personal disclosure and associated personal developmental activities.
The candidates understanding of the above and the following criteria will be assessed at interview following the receipt of a completed application form:
✓ Age 19 or over
✓ TC-L4 or equivalent / RPL (minimum 420 GLH) plus appropriate pre TC-L4 training (or equivalent).
✓ Ability to identify reasons for training beyond just personal development
✓ Provide references
✓ Academically and emotionally able to cope with this level of training
✓ Ability to work with difference and diversity
✓ Possess personal qualities of imagination, intuition, openness and ability to benefit from self-development
✓ Ability to form a therapeutic relationship
✓ Have self-awareness, insight, honesty and integrity
✓ Emotional stability and the absence of personality disturbance
✓ Ability to challenge and be challenged
✓ Ability to respond sensitively and empathically to others
✓ Professional qualities required for autonomous practice
QUALIFICATION STRUCTURE & CANDIDATE GUIDE
Candidates must be Proficient in both internal and external assessment and meet all the qualification requirements including all placement hours to achieve the qualification.
Internal Assessment: tutor assessment of candidate portfolio evidencing minimum assessment requirements and verified by CPCAB. See CPCAB’s Minimum Assessment Requirements.
External Assessment: externally assessed case review (3,000-3,500 words)
Additional Qualification requirements:
Personal counselling: 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: a minimum of 60 hours formally contracted counselling (one-to one), including client assessment.
Clinical Supervision: either group or one-to-one supervision – as per the supervision ratio requirements of their chosen ethical framework or professional membership association.
During the course you will evidence your understanding of 7 Learning Outcomes by creating a portfolio. This will form your Internal Assessment submission. The course will guide you through these outcomes via a range of lectures, experiential activities and group tasks. it is designed to make sure you meet the outcomes, however in addition you will also develop a wider appreciation for the counselling profession which reaches beyond the remit of the course. Students leave The Way Forward Centre having experienced a full and challenging curriculum which has developed them as professionals, prepared and confident for independent practice.
The 7 Learning Outcomes are:
1. Work safely, legally and ethically as an independent counsellor
2. Work with complex aspects of the counselling relationship
3. Use theory and research to work with client diversity in independent practice
4. Use a coherent approach to respond to the needs of individual clients
5. Work with self-awareness as an independent practitioner
6. Use theory, research and skills within a coherent framework for independent counselling practice
7. Monitor and maintain professional effectiveness as a counsellor in independent practice
The following button will take you to the CPCAB Candidate Guide for PC-L5 Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling:
PROGRESSION ROUTES
This qualification is designed to give learners the knowledge, skills and competencies to work as self-employed counsellors in independent practice. It also equips learners to take on a senior counselling role in an organisational context where client assessment, referral and routine evaluation are part of the role. This qualification will enable successful candidates to work as counsellors in a range of job and career opportunities, which include but are not limited to:
An autonomous counsellor in private practice or agency settings.
Work as a senior counsellor within a counselling agency.
The graduate may choose to diversify into the area of teaching counselling within a FE or HE context providing they hold suitable teaching experience or qualifications.
PC-L5 is part of a suite of CPCAB qualifications. Once the candidate has completed this qualification and acquired sufficient client work experience, they may wish to progress to the Open University’s Foundation Degree in Counselling.
Following sufficient client work experience they can also progress to CPCAB Level 6 Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision (TCSU-L6).
FEE STRUCTURE
Academic year Sept 2024 until July 2025 (Last updated 04/02/2024)
Course Fee: £2600 (inclusive of VAT)
CPCAB Registration fee: £379 (Course registration, external assessment and certification)
Total Fee: £2979 (Inclusive of CPCAB Registration fee & VAT)
Fees can be paid over a schedule of monthly payments, agreed on an annual basis
A non-refundable deposit payment of £300 will be requested to secure your place on the course, following acceptance of your application and a successful interview.
If you would like to apply for this course you can complete an application form by clicking on the button below:
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further information about the Way Forward Centre, our philosophy and other relevant student information can be found by accessing the following pages:
COURSE ENQUIRY FORM
If you wish to apply for this course then please submit an application form which can be accessed by clicking on this button:
If you would like to ask any questions specific to our Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling PC-L5 please feel free to contact us using the form below: