CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
Course Length:
Across 1 Year
Course Price:
£1,890 per person
Course Timings:
1x Weekend per month
9:30am to 4:45pm
(See full details below)
Course Location:
In person (Basingstoke)
Start/End Date:
Oct 2025 to July 2026
Awarding Body:
CPCAB
Essential Course Information:
Course Summary
This CPCAB course is designed to provide an opportunity for qualified counsellors to deepen their understanding and knowledge of working with more chronic and enduring mental health and relational needs, with an emphasis on preparing counsellors to successfully navigate working in independent/private practice in a safe and ethical manner.
Topics Covered
This course will enable counsellors to:
» Work towards meeting the requirements of ‘Column B’ within the Scope of Practice and Education (SCoPEd) framework for the counselling profession – i.e. ‘Accredited’ level practice, often seen as a minimum entry point for agency employment and/or contract work in independent practice.
» Effectively prepare for working in private/independent practice, underpinned by a clear ethos, rationale and focussed methodology for navigating ethical and relational issues that can occur.
» Develop confidence and insight into working with more complex aspects of clinical practice including trauma, attachment, psychosexual issues and compulsive behaviour.
Key topics covered include:
» Work towards meeting the requirements of ‘Column B’ within the Scope of Practice and Education (SCoPEd) framework for the counselling profession – i.e. ‘Accredited’ level practice, often seen as a minimum entry point for agency employment and/or contract work in independent practice.
» Effectively prepare for working in private/independent practice, underpinned by a clear ethos, rationale and focussed methodology for navigating ethical and relational issues that can occur.
» Develop confidence and insight into working with more complex aspects of clinical practice including trauma, attachment, psychosexual issues and compulsive behaviour.
Key topics covered include:
- Setting up in private/independent practice: practical, legal, procedural and ethical considerations.
- Essential skills in working with complex issues: including generalised anxiety disorder, phobias, compulsive behaviours, attachment wounds, trauma, psychiatric conditions, psychosexual issues and pharmacology awareness.
- Working at increased Relational Depth, including through interventions such as dreams and inner child work
- Anti-oppressive practice and systemic thinking
Entry Requirements
As this is a post qualifying course, you must be a qualified counsellor/ psychotherapist with membership to a counsellling/psychotherapy professional body (e.g., BACP, NCS, UKCP, etc.), and have completed your core training (e.g. Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling).
You must have also recieved a minimum of 40hrs of personal therapy during or after your previous qualifying training as a counsellor.
You must have also recieved a minimum of 40hrs of personal therapy during or after your previous qualifying training as a counsellor.
Assessment Process
Students will be assessed through a variety of methods, including:
- A sessional reflective journal
- An essay covering an area of professional practice
- A critique of an excerpt of a counselling session
- A case study
- A sessional reflective journal
- An essay covering an area of professional practice
- A critique of an excerpt of a counselling session
- A case study
Further Study
On completion of this course, students are eligible to apply for:
- CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People
- Open University Foundation Degree in Counselling
- CPCAB Level 6 Certificate in Counselling Supervision (with sufficient post-qualifying experience)
- CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People
- Open University Foundation Degree in Counselling
- CPCAB Level 6 Certificate in Counselling Supervision (with sufficient post-qualifying experience)
Additional Course Requirements
In addition to attending the course, students will be required to fulfil the following requirements (which are financed by the student):
- Engage with a minimum of 10hrs of personal therapy during course
- Facilitate 60hrs of counselling with clients (in private practice or agency role)
- Engage with a minimum of 10hrs of personal therapy during course
- Facilitate 60hrs of counselling with clients (in private practice or agency role)
How to Apply
To apply for this course, click the 'Apply Now' button on this page, or head to our application form here.
Course Dates:
The course shall be held one weekend of each month between October 2025 to July 2026 in Basingstoke (9:30am to 4:45pm) on the following dates:
Saturday 18th October 2025
Sunday 19th October 2025
Saturday 15th November 2025
Sunday 16th November 2025
Saturday 20th December 2025
Sunday 21st December 2025
Saturday 17th January 2026
Sunday 18th January 2026
Saturday 21st February 2026
Sunday 22nd February 2026
Saturday 21st March 2026
Sunday 22nd March 2026
Saturday 18th April 2026
Sunday 19th April 2026
Saturday 16th May 2026
Sunday 17th May 2026
Saturday 20th June 2026
Sunday 21st June 2026
Saturday 18th July 2026
Sunday 19th July 2026
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Register your interest in this course by completing the application form available via the button below.
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