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Psychotherapeutic Counselling Diploma Level 5

Course Overview

The AIM Qualifications Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling provides a step onwards from our Level 4 and supports you to achieve a professional status in counselling. It may also be appropriate for those working in roles where counselling skills are needed such as social work or the voluntary sector.

This course covers five mandatory units that will support you to critically evaluate your practice, develop your research skills and evaluate the practice of counselling. The development of a business plan as part of the mandatory unit will also support you to become an independent self-employed practitioner if you did not choose to work within an organisation.

The five mandatory units may include:

  • Supervised Practice in Counselling
  • Counselling Supervision
  • Professional Standards in Counselling
  • Setting up Practice
  • Research in Counselling.

You will continue to work within an ethical framework such as BACP or NCS. You will be required to have completed 100 hours of supervised practice in an approved placement or professional setting. The placement requirement in this qualification is essential to the personal and professional development of the practitioner, and although we can support you with looking for a placement, you will be selected on your own merits by the provider.

Placement requirements:

You will need to be, or have recently been, in placement with an agency where you have to complete a minimum of 100 hours of supervised counselling practice

If you have completed the AIM Qualifications Level 4, or equivalent qualification, within the last three years, you can use these hours and the written assignment as recognition of prior learning

If you have worked as a qualified counsellor, you can count 100 accrued practice hours but you will need to complete the study of supervised practice assignment

You will need to achieve a competency to practice assignment before you can start your placement, if necessary.

You will have to be or become a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and will be required to adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. See the BACP website for current student membership fees

You will need to be selected by the placement and adhere to their organisational policies and procedures, if required.

Course Overview

Course Overview

The AIM Qualifications Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling provides a step onwards from our Level 4 and supports you to achieve a professional status in counselling. It may also be appropriate for those working in roles where counselling skills are needed such as social work or the voluntary sector.

This course covers five mandatory units that will support you to critically evaluate your practice, develop your research skills and evaluate the practice of counselling. The development of a business plan as part of the mandatory unit will also support you to become an independent self-employed practitioner if you did not choose to work within an organisation.

The five mandatory units may include:

  • Supervised Practice in Counselling
  • Counselling Supervision
  • Professional Standards in Counselling
  • Setting up Practice
  • Research in Counselling.

You will continue to work within an ethical framework such as BACP or NCS. You will be required to have completed 100 hours of supervised practice in an approved placement or professional setting. The placement requirement in this qualification is essential to the personal and professional development of the practitioner, and although we can support you with looking for a placement, you will be selected on your own merits by the provider.

Placement requirements:

You will need to be, or have recently been, in placement with an agency where you have to complete a minimum of 100 hours of supervised counselling practice

If you have completed the AIM Qualifications Level 4, or equivalent qualification, within the last three years, you can use these hours and the written assignment as recognition of prior learning

If you have worked as a qualified counsellor, you can count 100 accrued practice hours but you will need to complete the study of supervised practice assignment

You will need to achieve a competency to practice assignment before you can start your placement, if necessary.

You will have to be or become a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and will be required to adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. See the BACP website for current student membership fees

You will need to be selected by the placement and adhere to their organisational policies and procedures, if required.

Lecturer Spotlight

Max Dalda Muller, Course Leader

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 a combination of externally assessed assignments throughout the year including a study of supervised practice, two essays, an action plan, a research proposal and a business plan. Most units have a single assessment to be completed and there are no external exams.

Entry Requirements and Progression

Progression

On successful completion of the Level 5 Diploma you will be able to access suitable Level 6 top-up degree programmes or develop your professionalism further in your current practice.

Entry Requirements

  • You will need to have completed a Level 4 Diploma in Counselling Practice or equivalent
  • You will be invited to participate in an individual interview with the course tutors that will determine your suitability for the course
  • 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 reference
  • You will be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check prior to commencing any work placement.

Fees

The course fee is £1480.00* 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