Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (TC-L4)
Timeline: 2 year programme | Study method: In person, up to 25% online | Class time: 420 guided learning hours | Cohort: Smaller cohorts - stronger support | Code: TC‑L4
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Course launching soon
If you are interested in enrolling in this course, please sign up to the wait list and we’ll let you know when enrollment is open.
Your Next Step Towards a Professional Counselling Career
Become a qualified counsellor ready for practice, with confidence, competence and a strong ethical foundation. This qualification is the next significant stage of your development as a counsellor. On successful completion of this course you will become a fully qualified counsellor.
The CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling is a nationally recognised qualification and a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) approved by Skills England.
This counseling course prepares you for real work in counselling agencies and aligns to the SCoPEd Column A competences recognised by organisations such as BACP and NCPS.
This is where you begin to practise therapeutically, develop your identity as a counsellor, and work with clients under supervision in an agency setting in your student placement.
Why This Qualification Matters
This programme is designed for individuals who want to continue to build a robust, ethical, and credible foundation for counselling practice. The training is paced over two years to provide space for reflection, integration and skills development, enabling learners to grow steadily and sustainably alongside work and personal commitments.
You will be offered:
A recognised route into the counselling profession
A qualification trusted by agencies and employers (upon successful completion)
A carefully structured, supportive learning environment
Dedicated tutor support, direct contact and helpful guidance
A steady, well paced curriculum that allows learning to be absorbed rather than rushed
This is an in depth, relational, and human approach to training with experienced tutors who are also practising counsellors and/or coaches and have been through this process themselves.
How You’ll Learn In This Level 4 Counselling Diploma
The course takes place over two academic years, with weekly sessions, totalling 420 Guided Learning Hours, as required by CPCAB.
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Most sessions are delivered face-to-face to develop the relational depth, presence, and skills essential for therapeutic work.
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Up to 25% may be delivered online, as permitted by CPCAB. This provides flexibility while preserving the integrity of the in-person training model.
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Tutor presentations and theoretical input
Experiential and skills-based learning
Case discussions
Client work preparation
Group training supervision
Self-development and reflective practice
Professional, ethical and safe training environment
Digital portfolio building with ongoing tutor support
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Handouts, slides, worksheets, videos and curated resources
A learner community for discussion and peer support
Tutor access via email, phone and tutorials
Reasonable adjustments for learners with different needs
A carefully paced structure designed for deep learning and skills development
Sessions are delivered in smaller, more intimate cohorts to ensure meaningful interaction and personalised support.
What You’ll Learn
This diploma develops competence across all seven CPCAB units, including:
Working within an ethical and professional framework
Developing therapeutic relationships
Establishing and maintaining boundaries
Working with diversity and difference
Applying counselling theory to client work
Understanding mental health and client need
Using supervision, feedback and reflection
Integrating theory and practice coherently
Working safely within service levels and agency requirements
Developing self-awareness and personal readiness
Understanding and using the CPCAB Model
The course also includes integrative thinking and practice in line with CPCAB’s theoretical integration guidance.
Note: this course does not include the BACP CoP test. We believe it should be your decision as to what membership body you would like to join.
Placement Support
A therapeutic placement is a core part of this qualification. This is where you will use your counselling skills with real clients. We offer guidance and support to help you:
Identify suitable placement opportunities
Prepare applications and interviews
Understand agency expectations
Assess your readiness for client work
Navigate ethical and professional responsibilities
Build confidence in the transition from student to trainee counsellor
Placements usually start during Year 1, with ongoing support into Year 2. Further details can be found below.
“I could not recommend Sharon enough. She truly is an amazing person with a wealth of experience. As a counsellor you need to be someone others can look up to and Sharon is most certainly one of them people. I cannot thank her enough.”
— Counselling studentTo achieve the CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, you must complete the following:
1. Counselling Placement Hours
Minimum 100 hours of formally contracted, one-to-one counselling
Work with at least five different clients
At least 51% of hours must be in-person
Up to 49% may be online/telephone, if appropriate for the service
2. Clinical Supervision
You must work to the supervision ratios of your professional membership body (e.g. BACP’s 8:1 ratio). Supervision will also be offered in a group setting as part of your course.
3. Personal Counselling
A minimum of 10 hours of personal counselling must be completed by the end of the course. We highly recommend this is started before you work with real clients so you can experience sitting in the client seat yourself which is a great learning experience.
4. DBS Check
A DBS check must be completed at the application stage before a place on the course can be confirmed. No course places will be offered without suitable security checks.
5. CPCAB Portfolio
Throughout the course, you will produce a digital portfolio that includes:
Learning reviews
Self-reviews
Assignments
Case studies and case presentations
Supervision records
Client logs
Tutor observed sessions
Personal development reflections
Evidence mapped to CPCAB’s minimum assessment requirements
We guide you through building this portfolio step-by-step so it feels structured and manageable.
Qualification Requirements
Who This Level 4 Course Is For
& Why Choose Three Pillars Training
This training is suited to individuals who:
Intend to become professional counsellors.
Want a thorough, ethical, safe and relational training route.
Value a supportive learning environment.
Prefer a steady pace that fits alongside existing commitments.
Are comfortable engaging reflectively and experientially.
Want a qualification recognised by employers, agencies and professional bodies.
This counselling course is particularly suitable for those who appreciate a thoughtful, human and grounded approach to learning with dedicated support and useful feedback that enhances your development.
Why train with Three Pillars Training:
Smaller sized cohorts for deeper learning.
High tutor presence and responsive support.
Experienced, practising counsellor tutors.
Relational, inclusive teaching.
Clear guidance through CPCAB expectations.
Neurodiversity aware delivery and support.
Emphasis on professional readiness and reflective practice.
A steady, well paced structure across two years.
This programme is designed to support your growth personally, professionally and academically.
Common Questions & What You’ll Want to Hear
What's the BACP CoP test and why is it not on this course?
CoP stands for 'Certificate of Proficiency'. It is a standardised assessment of the skills, knowledge and abilities required to be a professional counsellor.
It's an online, multiple-choice assessment, based on case studies of real-life situations that you may come across in your work. It is free to take and is completed online.
We want you to be the one who reviews all of the professional membership bodies that are out there and make the decision whether you want to take the BACP CoP test on not.
You will still receive input on this during the course. You can find further details on what happens during this test here: https://www.bacp.co.uk/membership/registered-membership/certificate-of-proficiency/online-assessments
I'm not very academic, is this course right for me?
There are no exams on this course. Everything is structured and assessed throughout your attendance and course work.
You’ll get clear instruction, templates, one-to-one help, you won’t be left behind. We have been where you are now, so we know it can feel a little overwhelming at times. This is completely normal and we are here to support and guide you through this entire course and beyond - whatever road you decide to go down once you're qualified. The Three Pillars support doesn't stop when your course ends.
What does the BACP supervision ratio 8:1 mean?
It means that (with a student/trainee membership) a minimum of 1.5 hours per calendar month, with a ratio of 8 hours counselling to 1 hour supervision, with supervision every two weeks.
You can find out more about the BACP supervision requirements here: https://www.bacp.co.uk/membership/supervision/
Why do I need a DBS check for this course and where can I get this?
Anyone who is working with children and/or vulnerable adults must have an Enhanced DBS check as per safeguarding.
If you already have an Enhanced DBS certificate, you can submit this with your application.
Currently, individuals can apply for a Basic DBS check. This is what you will need to apply for and submit at the application stage.
The law is due to change in January 2026 - whereby individuals will be able to apply for an Enhanced DBS certificate. This will be a requirement before you start working with clients on your placement.
You can read more about this here: https://www.bacp.co.uk/news/news-from-bacp/2025/10-december-increased-access-to-enhanced-dbs-checks-for-private-therapists/
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
This qualification is:
✓ Awarded by the Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB)
✓ Recognised as a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ)
✓ Mapped to SCoPEd Column A counsellor competences
✓ Accepted by membership bodies such as BACP, NCPS and ACC (subject to meeting their membership criteria)
✓ Quality assured through CPCAB’s external verification processes
✓ Delivered by tutors who undertake CPCAB standardisation training
Together, this provides a credible, professionally recognised route into counselling practice.
COURSE COMING SOON /
COURSE COMING SOON /
You can pay in full, or we offer installments over a 12 month payment plan, each academic year.
To apply: Submit your application form below, along with an enhanced DBS certificate, after which you will be contacted for an interview. If approved you will then be required to pay the £400 deposit to secure your place.
Investment, Application & Next Steps
Pay In Full
Option to pay the course fees in full each year
Complete the application form and submit your enhanced DBS certificate to get started
£2988 per academic year
Deposit/Course Registration Fee: £400 per academic year
DBS: DBS check required at application stage - see FAQs for more info
Entry requirement: Must have completed Level 3 Counselling Studies
Payment Plan
Pay over 12 months each academic year - interest free!
Complete the application form and submit your enhanced DBS certificate to get started
£249 x 12 per month (each academic year)
Deposit/Course Registration Fee: £400 per academic year
DBS: DBS check required at application stage - see FAQs for more info
Entry requirement: Must have completed Level 3 Counselling Studies
Ready for the next stage of your counselling journey?
If you are ready for the next stage of your counselling journey, this diploma provides a comprehensive, ethical and professionally recognised pathway. With a steady pace, a supportive environment and a clear structure, you will have the time and guidance needed to develop as a competent and confident trainee counsellor.
When you’re ready to take the next step, we’re here to support you.
Please note we run courses once there is sufficient interest to ensure a high-quality learning experience for everyone, so please join the waitlist if you’d like to join us. As soon as numbers align and a new date is confirmed, we’ll be in touch with full details and clear next steps.