Level 4 Diploma in Counselling Practice

Who is this course for?

Do you want a rewarding career working directly with people, making a difference to their everyday lives? If you are warm, open and empathetic and can bring a patient, tolerant, non-judgemental attitude, then a career in counselling could be for you.

Level 4 Diploma in Counselling Practice is the final step in the journey to becoming a qualified counsellor.

Entry Requirements

You will need to have completed an accredited L3 counselling course to be accepted onto the L4. It is not possible to skip a level regardless of previous qualifications. Therefore, if this is your first counselling course with Step into Learning, please complete the application form available above and to the right. Once we have received your completed application form, we will assess your suitability and get back to you within 2 weeks.

Why should I do this qualification?

People seek counselling to aid them through difficult periods of their lives. For instance, they may face difficulties in their relationships, or feel isolated or alone. In addition, some people may have deep rooted psychological issues or be struggling with bereavement.

Counselling involves a series of sessions with a qualified therapist. The client has a safe space to talk openly about their experiences, whilst the therapist will listen, empathise and encourage them.

Level 4 Diploma in Counselling Practice is the final step on your journey to becoming a counsellor. Therefore, the course will further develop your practical counselling skills and deepen your knowledge of counselling theory.

This qualification is recognised by BACP https://www.bacp.co.uk/ and NCS https://nationalcounsellingsociety.org/.

What will I learn?

This course enables you to practice working within an ethical framework. You will be expected to make appropriate use of counselling supervision and evaluate your own work.

The course includes 3 mandatory units covering all main areas relevant to the study of counselling:

• Skills Supervised Practice in Counselling
• Counselling Theory
• Counselling Theory: A Chosen Approach

You will also study the following modules:

• Working with Children & Young People
• Working with Grief & Loss
• Working with Trauma
• Transactional Analysis

How will I be assessed?

This course will be assessed both internally and externally.

There are 5 internal assessments marked by your tutor consisting of a written assignment of 1500-2000 words evaluating a given approach to counselling. Additionally, you will complete a scenario analysis (1500-200 words) for each of the four specialist modules. You will be required to keep a weekly journal to develop your reflective practice skills. Finally, an external examination will take place in June of your last year.

This qualification is graded: pass, merit or distinction

In addition you will need to complete 100 client hours in a placement as well as a minimum of 10 hours personal counselling.