BACP Approved CPCAB Level 4 Diploma In Therapeutic Counselling
Tuesday Daytime, 2 years Starting October 2026
Overview
This is a blended course which includes online (via Zoom 25 %) and face-to-face learning.
This two-year part-time qualification gives candidates the knowledge, skills and competencies to work as a therapeutic counsellor in an agency context in both health care and non-medical settings.
Successful completion of this course means you will be able to provide a therapeutic counselling service, initially within the context of an agency framework but later as an independent practitioner with the support and guidance of your supervisor.
As part of the course, candidates will complete the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy certificate of proficiency. This will enable successful candidates to apply for registered status with the BACP once they have completed the CPCAB course, including the 100 hours of practice required for internal assessment.
What does the qualification cover
- Working ethically, safely and professionally as a counsellor
- Working within a counselling relationship
- Working with client diversity in counselling work
- Working within a user-centred approach to counselling
- Working with self-awareness in the counselling process
- Working within a coherent framework of counselling theory and skills
- Working self-reflectively as a counsellor
Student requirements
- Students are required to engage with independent study to meet the complete course assignments – this includes keeping a Learning journal throughout the 2 years.
- Each student must complete a minimum of 30 hours of personal counselling during the two years. This should be with a BACP accredited counsellor approved by WSCT. The cost of personal therapy is not included in the course fees. It is strongly advised that students attend counselling throughout the two-year course. In addition, it is worth noting that most degree level courses require you to have engaged in at least 50 hours of personal counselling at level 4 to be accepted onto a higher-level programme.
- Each student must complete 100 hours of supervised client work during the two years of the course in a placement approved by WSCT. Students need to be in a placement by Easter 2023 in order to complete course assignments and to go through to Year 2.
- Each student will need to arrange for supervision of placement work. The BACP requirement is a minimum of 1.5 hours per month. Supervision is not included in the course fees and may or may not be funded by your placement.
- Students are required to achieve a Certificate of Competency with WSCT before commencing placement.
- Each student needs to arrange their own student membership of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) and their own professional liability insurance before commencing a placement.
- Students will produce a portfolio of evidence that will include observations, group discussion observation sheets, case studies, reports/notes, placement log, supervision, and agency reports.
- To find out more about the course structure visit www.cpcab.co.uk
Reading list
- Budd, McKeever, Postings (2019). A Students Guide To Therapeutic Counselling. London: Sage
- Rogers (2003). Client Centred Therapy. London: Constable
- Mearns, Thorne. Mclead (2013) Person-Centred Counselling In Action. London: Sage
How will the course be delivered?
Tuesday daytimes, 9.30-4pm
Year 1
- October 6th/ 13th/20th-online classes
- 26th October- half term – No Class
- Nov- 3rd/10th/17th/24th
- Dec- 1st/8th/15th
- Christmas break 19th Dec-4th Jan 2027
- Jan- 5th/12th/19th/26th
- Feb- 2nd/9th/ 23rd
- Half term- 16th Feb-no class
- March – 2nd/ 9th/16th/23rd
- Easter – no class 30th March or 6th April
- April – 13th/20th/27th
- May- 4th/11th/18th/25th
- Half term- no class 1st June
- June- 8th/15th/22nd/29th
- July- 6th/13th
Year 2
Begins Tuesday 14th September 2027.
Further dates TBC to run with published Chichester term times
The Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling – BACP Approved Practitioner Qualification maps the current CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (TC-L4) to the requirements for BACP Qualification Approval and fully incorporates BACP’s Online and Phone Therapy Competence Framework.
This qualification has 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 a national register of counsellors which is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Cost of the course
The total cost of the two-year programme is £7,016, comprising:
Year 1: £3,120 course fee + £388 CPCAB registration = £3,508
Year 2: £3,120 course fee + £388 CPCAB registration = £3,508
Total (Years 1 & 2): £7,016
Please note: CPCAB registration fees are set externally and may be subject to change.
Payment options
Payment in full:
- Years 1 & 2: £7,016 (payable in full to secure your place once offered)
or
- Year 1: £3,508 (payable to secure your place once offered)
Year 2: £3,508 (payable before 1st August 2027)
Instalment Plan:
- Year 1
Deposit: £388 (required to secure your place once offered)
Balance: 12 monthly payments of £260, due on the 1st of each month, starting 1st September 2026 - Year 2
Deposit: £388 (required to secure your Year 2 place, due before 1st August 2027)
Balance: 12 monthly payments of £260, due on the 1st of each month, starting 1st September 2027
Important Information
Upon being offered a place and accepting our Terms & Conditions, your place is confirmed and you enter into a binding agreement with us.
Additional Costs
- Personal therapy with a qualified BACP accredited PERSON-CENTRED Counsellor x 30 hours (minimum)
- Supervision (if not covered by the agency) 1.5 hours per month (minimum). Candidates who are in a supervision group as part of their placement will only be able to count a percentage of the 1.5 hours, therefore additional private supervision may be required to adhere to the BACP guidelines.
- BACP student membership (must be in place before placement begins)
- BACP Certificate of proficiency fee (currently £25)
- Insurance (if not covered by the agency before placement begins)
Venue
West Sussex Counselling Training, Unit H, Old Bakery, Golden Square, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0AP