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 course is awarded by the Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB).

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.

Our course teaches an integrative approach, drawing on person centred, psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural approaches with a client focussed approach and examining some other approaches and modalities for counselling. We have a therapy room based, practical approach where the development and use of the therapeutic relationship is at the heart of the counselling.

Entry Requirements

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

Read section 5 of the CPCAB TC-L4 Specification for further information.

Qualification Structure

This course is comprised of 7 mandatory units:

• 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
  

Assessment

This course is assessed using a variety of methods including case studies and presentations, self-reviews, an ongoing learning journal, group/project work and counselling skills practice. There is also an external assessment set by the CPCAB.

For a full list of the minimum assessment requirements of this course, please see the course specification. Please note that the specification outlines the minimum requirements. Our course assessment exceeds the minimum requirements to give students an enriched learning experience.

Additional Requirements

Personal counselling – This course requires you to complete 40 hours of personal counselling with a suitably qualified and experienced counsellor.

Client work – You will complete 100 hours of client counselling at an established counselling agency.

Clinical supervision – In addition to any group supervision provided on the course and in your placement agency, you will be required to hire a private supervisor. In total you need 1 hour of supervision per 8 client hours.

BACP Student Membership – Required for placement and is an additional cost to consider

Professional Liability Insurance – Required for placement and is an additional cost to consider

DBS Check – required for placement and is an additional cost to consider

Course Details:

Start Date: 24th September 2025

End Date: 23rd June 2027

Day: Wednesdays 9.00am – 4.00pm

35 sessions over two academic years (includes 2 Saturday seminars per year)

Location: The Longheath Studio, Ashburton Hall, 405 Lower Addiscombe Road, Addiscombe, Croydon, CR0 6RX (Car park entrance on Tenterden Hall Road)

Fees: £3,200 per academic year (excludes annual CPCAB registration fee of £366 per year), total of £3,566 per academic year. Instalment payments available over the duration of the course. A non-refundable deposit of £500 is required on acceptance of a place.

Candidates will need to attend a pre-course interview. We will contact you by email or telephone to invite you to attend. If your application is successful, you will receive an offer letter within two weeks. Enrolment onto the course will be part online and part face to face. We will send out information and some documentation to complete prior to the enrolment meeting.

At the end of this course, Candidates will be able to practice as a counsellor (initially within an agency) and/or progress to other level 5 /6 qualifications. See CPCAB’s website for further details on progression routes.

To apply for a place on this course, please complete an application form and email to adminctlsc@caretolisten.co.uk. Please feel free to contact us with any queries using the same email address. 

Please use the link below to download an application form:

CTLSC Level 4 Student Application Form 2024