Post Qualification CPD

CPCAB Level 5
Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling

Select your Preferred location

BournemouthBournemouth

Duration

Day

Times

Course Dates

Duration

16 Saturdays

Day

Sat

Times

9:00 am - 5:30 pm

Course Dates

Sat 25 Apr 2026 to 5 Dec 2026

Download Course Information

Becoming an independent practitioner

This CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling course offers a nationally recognised CPD counselling qualification, for those who have completed the CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and who wish to develop as a humanistic integrative independent practitioner.

SCoPEd

This course is designed in order to meet the SCoPEd framework for therapist B level competencies.

WORKSHOPS

The topics that we will cover in the workshops include:

- Client Assessment

- Psychodynamic Principles

- Family Systems Theory and working with Genograms

- Internal Family Systems

- Trauma informed approach to client work

- Understanding addiction

- Introduction to Brief Solutions Focused Therapy and Working in Employee Assistance Programmes

- Introduction to Walking Therapy

- Setting up and marketing your Practice

Overall

During the course we will be covering these areas :

Setting up and developing your private practice
Expanding your skills as an ethical and independent practitioner
Deepening your understanding of the psychotherapeutic relationship
Exploring issues of cultural diversity
Introducing additional theoretical models to integrate into your humanistic practice
Continuing your personal development
Building your skills as a practitioner
Enhancing your reflective practice

2024 student feedback :

"Redlands staff and fellow students can change your life and your private practice, so that you can be prepared and confident in your abilities and to qualify at a higher level."

"I found the course very rewarding and have benefited greatly from the further learning, this has given me further confidence to set up and manage my own practice. Assessments and family systems learning were a very valuable insight."

"Being back in a learning environment feels supportive as I embark on my new career as a private practitioner. The experiential learning in a group setting was something I had missed, and the course also covered my CPD requirements for the year, which was a bonus!”

Who is it aimed at?

Course Tutors

Fees & Costs

Work requirements

Assessment

Application Process

The course is aimed at counsellors who have achieved a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling or its equivalent. Learners will acquire the knowledge, skills and competencies they will need in order to work as self-employed counsellors, in independent practice. Learners will also be equipped to take on senior counselling roles in organisational contexts where client assessment, referral and routine evaluation are part of the role. This course offers candidates the ability to evidence that they meet all the competencies and training requirements for SCoPEd Column B.

You will find further information on the course link at www.cpcab.co.uk

Kate Dalton and Carol King will lead this course. They are both experienced trainers and counsellors, who have their own individual private counselling and supervision practices.

The course fees for the Academic year 2025/26 are:

Tuition fee: £1849 (or £1699 if paid by 26.2.2026 for April 26 start)

plus the CPCAB registration fee: £385

Client hours

Students will need to complete a minimum of 60 supervised client hours, and these should be as an independent practitioner. The hours can be gained whilst working privately or as a senior counsellor (with autonomy) in an agency.

Assessment will be by way of tutor Internal Assessment of your portfolio. (The external assessment requirement has been withdrawn by CPCAB).

Application Process

Complete the ‘Register Your Interest’ form at the bottom of this page and we’ll send you the application form.
Fill in the online application form with your personal statement and the name & email address of your clinical supervisor.
We will then seek a reference from your clinical supervisor and arrange an interview with one of the course tutors.
If your supervisor reference is satisfactory and your interview is successful, we will offer you a place by sending a Training Contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I required to be in counselling for this course?

You are required to have had a minimum of 40 hours counselling by the end of the course, 10 hours of which needs be completed by the end of this course (i.e. previous counselling of up to 30 hours can count towards the minimum of 40 hours).

Can I apply for this course if I haven’t done counselling training but have relevant work experience?

Our qualifications are awarded by the CPCAB, and the Level 5 courses are aimed at post-qualification counsellors, who have completed the Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling or equivalent training. We cannot accept relevant work experience to meet this entry requirement.

What is the progression route?

Subject to tutor recommendation and CPCAB Guidelines, progression is to any of the Level 5 or Level 6 courses we offer. These can be viewed on our website.

Is there funding for the course, including the Advanced Learner Loan?

As Redlands is an independent training provider, we are not part of the Government-Funded Advanced Learner Loan scheme. For this reason, our learners are self-funded.

We do aim to keep our costs at a level which make all our courses accessible, whilst maintaining excellent quality. There is an early payment discount for this course, and the details and deadline for this is on the Fees and Costs section of the webpage.

What do the initials CPCAB stand for?

CPCAB stands for the Counselling & Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body. This is the Body which awards the qualification to students who are assessed as proficient at the end of the course. CPCAB is the only national Awarding Body which specialises in counselling qualifications.