Level 4 Diploma in therapeutic counselling: integrative pathway

What is the course about?

Training competent and professional Integrative counselling practitioners who subscribe to the Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions as published by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

What will we cover?

The theory and practice of Integrative counselling
• A comparison of humanistic counselling to psychodynamic counselling and cognitive behavioural counselling
• Professional and organisational issues, including the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions
• Counselling in a diverse society
• Research in counselling
• Personal development (awareness of self in relation to others)
• Counselling supervision.
• 100 hours of supervised counselling practice gained on placement.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

Develop a seamless, yet fully aware and responsive approach to Integrative counselling. The course provides an opportunity for students to develop self-awareness and a facility with counselling skills sufficient to practice competently as counsellors. By the end of the course, you will be able to:
• Participate in a group and be aware of self in relation to others
• Articulate a philosophically integrated model of counselling including contemporary developments and current research findings
• Demonstrate an ability to put theory into practice
• Work in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions;
• Demonstrate sufficient self-awareness and reflective skills to work ethically with clients
• Assess their own and their peers’ personal and professional development
• Critically evaluate their counselling work in terms of anti-oppressive and non-discriminatory practice
• Describe and critically evaluate differences and similarities between humanistic, psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural theories of counselling.
• Identify and demonstrate what it means to be a professional counsellor working within different organisational contexts
• Critically evaluate different models of psychopathology
• Design and carry out a counselling research project.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

Entry Requirements
• An understanding of the Integrative approach to counselling and training.
• The ability to take responsibility for your own learning
• A Certificate course in Counselling Skills of at least 145 hours spread over a minimum of 25 weeks completed within the last 3 years. Evidence of at least 80% attendance will be required with a copy of the certificate gained.
• As a core part of the diploma lies in working with a large group, it is essential that students considering this course are aware of the implications of learning in groups.
• The ability to cope with the intellectual and academic requirements. Some limited support is available in the Learning Centre. If you have any learning difficulty or disability that might affect your ability to participate fully in all learning activities related to the course, please discuss this with us. The City Lit aims to provide appropriate support for students within its available resources.

Applying for the course
You will be required to submit the following when applying for the course;
- An Application Form
- A copy of a theoretical essay from your certificate course along with feedback from your tutor.
- A 500 word reflective self-review piece on your personal development in relation to the learning from your certificate course.
- We will also require a professional and a tutor reference
Please be advised applications will not advance to the shortlisting stage if they are incomplete or late.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

As well as timetabled tuition hours you will need to plan for the following obligations and commitments:
• Self-Directed Learning
• Reading Commitment
• Assignments
• Therapy Commitment
• Placement Commitment
• 1 Compulsory Residential Weekend.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

• A comprehensive reading list will be available at the start of the course.
• Due to the emotive nature of the course, which will require you to explore and process personal issues, each student is required to complete 60 hours of personal counselling over the two years. This is a mandatory requirement of the course. If you are on a low income or in receipt of income-related benefits, you may be able to apply to the Student Bursary for assistance with some of these costs.
• Please be advised this course is non-refundable.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Satisfactory completion of the course enables students to work as professional counsellors.