We use cookies

These cookies are used to improve your experience and deliver personalised content. To find out more, please see our Privacy Policy.

Is it okay if we use cookies?

Counselling Practice Diploma Level 4

Course Overview

The AIM Qualifications Level 4 Diploma in Counselling Practice is for those wishing to achieve professional status in counselling. This qualification enables learners to embark on counselling practice, working within an ethical framework such as BACP or NCS. The placement requirement in this qualification is essential to the personal and professional development of the practitioner.

This qualification comprises three mandatory units and five optional units that provide an opportunity to deepen an understanding of theoretical perspectives within an integrative framework.

Our chosen approach is Integrative and our core theoretical model is Petrûska Clarkson’s Systems Integrative Psychotherapy.

The three mandatory units may include:

  • Counselling Theory
  • Counselling Theory: a chosen approach
  • Study of Supervised Practice.

The five optional units may include:

  • Working with Addictive Behaviour
  • Working with Children and Young People
  • Working with Trauma
  • Transactional Analysis
  • Blended Practice (Online and Phone Therapy)

Units will be delivered as lectures, tutorials and experiential activities. You will also participate in personal development groups within the course programme. There may be a weekend residential.

You will learn about:

  • Professional ethics and boundaries
  • The complexities of the therapeutic relationship
  • Self-critical and self-evaluative skills
  • Developing supervision skills
  • Understanding the effectiveness of supervision
  • Developing an understanding of different theoretical approaches.

Placement requirements:

Students will be in placement with an agency where they will have to complete a minimum of 100 hours of supervised counselling practice.

Students will need to achieve a competency to practice assignment before they can start their placement.

Students will be required to join the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or another professional body such as the National Counselling Society as student members and will be required to adhere to a recognised code of ethics. See the BACP or NCS websites for current student membership fees.

Course Overview

Course Overview

The AIM Qualifications Level 4 Diploma in Counselling Practice is for those wishing to achieve professional status in counselling. This qualification enables learners to embark on counselling practice, working within an ethical framework such as BACP or NCS. The placement requirement in this qualification is essential to the personal and professional development of the practitioner.

This qualification comprises three mandatory units and five optional units that provide an opportunity to deepen an understanding of theoretical perspectives within an integrative framework.

Our chosen approach is Integrative and our core theoretical model is Petrûska Clarkson’s Systems Integrative Psychotherapy.

The three mandatory units may include:

  • Counselling Theory
  • Counselling Theory: a chosen approach
  • Study of Supervised Practice.

The five optional units may include:

  • Working with Addictive Behaviour
  • Working with Children and Young People
  • Working with Trauma
  • Transactional Analysis
  • Blended Practice (Online and Phone Therapy)

Units will be delivered as lectures, tutorials and experiential activities. You will also participate in personal development groups within the course programme. There may be a weekend residential.

You will learn about:

  • Professional ethics and boundaries
  • The complexities of the therapeutic relationship
  • Self-critical and self-evaluative skills
  • Developing supervision skills
  • Understanding the effectiveness of supervision
  • Developing an understanding of different theoretical approaches.

Placement requirements:

Students will be in placement with an agency where they will have to complete a minimum of 100 hours of supervised counselling practice.

Students will need to achieve a competency to practice assignment before they can start their placement.

Students will be required to join the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or another professional body such as the National Counselling Society as student members and will be required to adhere to a recognised code of ethics. See the BACP or NCS websites for current student membership fees.

Lecturer Spotlight

Max Dalda Muller

I feel really privileged to have the opportunity to support people at a pivotal time in their lives and it fills me with a great sense of pride to know that I have helped people to turn their lives around.

Assessment

Assessment Methods

This qualification is assessed through the following methods:

  • Externally assessed exam
  • Externally assessed study of supervised practice
  • Online counselling skills assessment
  • Internally assessed essays
  • Internally assessed case studies
  • Your participation in personal and professional development.

Entry Requirements and Progression

Progression

On successful completion of the Level 4 Diploma you will be eligible to apply for the Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling at University Centre Somerset.

Entry Requirements

  • You will need to have completed at least a Level 3 programme in Counselling Skills and theory
  • You will be invited to participate in a group and individual interview with the course tutors
  • You will need to demonstrate experience of using your counselling skills with people in a one-to-one capacity
  • You will need to demonstrate an ability to reflect on personal development as well as acknowledge areas for development
  • You will need to commit to 25 hours of personal therapy as part of the course
  • You will need to provide a relevant referance
  • You will be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check prior to commencing any work placement.

Fees

The course fee is £2946.00* per year of study.

For more information regarding course fees, please read our 'Fees and Funding' page.

*Fees are subject to review annually. The fees for existing students may be increased annually in line with the Retail Price Index.

Policies and Regulations

January Open Event - Taunton Campus

16th January 2025