Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (PC-L5)

With Core tutors: Judith Schuepfer-Griffin, Jane Sanders, and Dawn Harding

New course dates 2022 to be confirmed

This qualification is to continue to develop your understanding and skills in order to work ethically and safely as an independent and senior counsellor and to deepen your ability to work with the counselling/therapeutic relationship, with self–awareness, self-reflection, and an integrated framework of theory and skills. This is a year to integrate your theoretical model, deepen your client practice, work with service level B & C, become a reflective research practitioner using Self as the centre of your research for an authentic and autonomous theoretical approach.

With this Diploma level 5 course you will work within a psycho-spiritual core theoretical model and continue a process of exploration and research to develop your own clear and integrated psycho-spiritual core belief system. By working with your core belief systems, you develop a deep understanding and clarity of your personal beliefs, relationship and history.

This course consists of in-depth study, blending theoretical learning, self-exploration, a self-research and core developmental stages.

The balance is 70% experiential and 30% written work.

As no two human beings are the same, we recognise that no one theory and no one spiritual practice will either make sense of, or be applicable to, all persons.

Trainees will build on their previous theory through workshop modules and personal research. By working within their own core system trainees develop a deep understanding and clarity of how their personal beliefs, attitudes, values and assumptions relate to their core system. The inner process and development of the trainees play a central role, interfaced with course material. To help achieve this, trainees will have a process of tutor and peer assessment and supervision.

Diploma Group 2013

Sweet Track Spiritual Counselling

Having awareness of a spiritual identity; we are all more than our personalities and our problems. Faith in Self; that we have within us the wisdom to make the right choices. Faith in potential; that every situation has a potential for growth. Faith in the journey; that our lives have meaning. Faith in Spirit; that we are truly Spiritual Beings.

Sweet Track Core Psycho-Spiritual Theory

In Spiritual Counselling the emphasis is on wholeness, dealing with the whole person, and assisting the client in inner balance and integration of all the dimensions of Self. It is experiential and focuses on the client’s individual experiences and reality, the sessions are non-prescriptive and individually tailored. Through Mindfulness we move from the how to be with clients to holding the Being nature. Psycho-Spiritual Counselling takes the Soul, rather than the Mind, as its starting point of balance. It has an expanded view of life, recognising that the world is a complex mystery, and takes into account belief systems, energy systems, psychic realities, karmic interplay, subconscious and superconscious states, etc. Theory is crucial to help understand why we do what we do. The philosophy of the course is that there is no one single approach, but we emphasise the need to work authentically as a counsellor. The course works from a psycho-spiritual perspective, an integrative approach which draws on Transpersonal & Psychosynthesis, Symbolism & Architypes, Mindfulness, Gestalt & Embodied Presence, Eco-Psychology and Person-Centred theoretical models. Trainees develop and deepen their previous theoretical approach.

This course stresses and develops the importance of the quality of the therapeutic presence and relationship.

Trainees’ Personal Psycho-Spiritual Core Belief System

Through an Integrative approach this course allows trainees to form their own personal and authentic way of working.

Through self identity and self exploration trainees develop their own approach based on their personal values and beliefs. We feel that this authenticity creates an easier learning process, and creates counsellors who are more grounded and “True to Self”, allowing their clients to be so.

Trainees develop their own ways of working, their own personal counselling style and model, which is compatible with their core beliefs and values, a style within keeping with their own personality.

Trainees will apply psychological ways of thinking to their self knowledge. They will synthesise their own ideas with those of the core theoretical models coherently and be able to justify their own ideas. They will also explore how compatible their model is with working with different groups of clients.

Self development and creativity for its own sake

There is an emphasis on personal and spiritual development, and self research throughout the course, and trainees are encouraged to develop their own unique and specific talents.

Ongoing self exploration and self research creates clear and grounded boundaries between personal issues and clients’ issues, a clarity without any dogma, enabling an openness to meet and learn from our clients. Self awareness enables congruence and empathic attunement to meet the client as equals.

Personal awareness includes an exploration of psychological needs, blind spots and strengths. Spiritual awareness includes an exploration into global and personal developments. It means looking at critical areas and understanding where this comes from. Self development and spiritual awareness is explored in the group process, personal development exercises, research assignments, creativity projects and in personal therapy.

Main Elements of the course

Developing the therapeutic relationship and embodied presence
Being Nature, Mindfulness and Deep Listening Practice
Creativity as a tool
Practice Based Research. Phenomenological-Reflective practice to embody relational understanding
Personal awareness development
Depth psycho-spiritual Core Process Model of Personal Development.
Client case Reviews
Working independently as a therapist
Supervision models
Professional practice and complex ethical issues
Theory and ideas behind counselling
Communication and counselling skills practice

Ethics

We believe counselling to be a profession that is both a privilege and a responsibility. We support regular supervision and work within the BACP Code of Ethics and Practice.

Qualification

PC-L5 is accredited by the Office of the Qualifications & Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) into the RQF (Regulated Qualification Framework) . Qualification Number 500/8386/7.

H/600/9058 Counselling in independent practice

Points Awarded

Level 5 credit value 46.

Client Work

Trainees need to complete 60 hours of supervised client hours, working independently and autonomously.

Supervision

Trainees need to be in supervision at all times while seeing clients.

Group Process

Each weekend there will be group process time for self exploration, group stages and dynamics, and process and for active deep and mindful listening.

Clinical Practice

Gaining practical experience in developing a safe clinical practice within placement setting with supported supervision.

Cost & Payment Options Level 5

The total cost is: £2,626. If the balance is paid in full at the course start there is a 5% reduction, or the course can be paid in instalments. The course cost includes the CPCAB registration and examination fee. A £400 deposit must be paid to secure your place.

Level 5

This qualification is intended for candidates who have acquired the CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (or its APL and/or APEL equivalent) and wish to continue to develop their understanding and skills in order to:

Establish and maintain an appropriate framework for independent practice;
Practice as a senior counsellor within an agency;
Develop their proficiency to work with clients at CPCAB Service Level B2*;
Deepen their ability to work with the counselling relationship;
Develop their proficiency in one particular counselling approach;
Facilitate understanding of working in health settings;
Carry out client assessments (including identifying and referring clients with severe and complex mental health problems).
Work ethically and safely as an independent and senior counsellor
Work within a counselling relationship as an independent & senior counsellor
Working with difference and diversity as an independent & senior counsellor
Work within a user-centred approach as an independent and senior counsellor
Work with self-awareness in a therapeutic relationship
Work within an integrated framework of counselling theory and skills
Work self-reflectively as an independent and senior counsellor

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Client Work requirements

Level 5

A minimum of 60 hours formally-contracted counselling (one-to-one) including client assessment.

Supervision – in the form of either group or one-to-one supervision – must meet BACP minimum requirements.

Assessment

Level 5

Candidate Portfolio and externally-assessed Case Review (3,000-3,500 words).

Additional Study Time

Approx 6 – 8 hours per week – to include (for example) assignments, supervision, client work experience and personal therapy.

Personal counselling or therapy (for trainee):

Level 5

Candidates need to have completed a minimum of 40 hours of personal counselling by the end of the course. This can include hours undertaken prior to the start of the course, but at least 10 hours of personal therapy must be undertaken during the training year itself.

At least two tutor-assessors will be involved in all aspects of internal candidate assessment.

Tutors

Judith Schuepfer-Griffin, Jane Sanders, Dawn Harding

Course Location and Timetable

Glastonbury is a town renowned as a spiritual pilgrimage centre. This non-residential training takes place at 44a High Street, Glastonbury BA6 9DX.

Level 5

PC-L5 course consists of eight weekends

New course date to be confirmed

Session 1	TBC	10am – 5.30pm
Session 2	TBC	10am – 5.30pm
Session 3	TBC	10am – 5.30pm
Session 4	TBC	10am – 5.30pm
Session 5	TBC	10am – 5.30pm
Session 6	TBC	10am – 5.30pm
Session 7	TBC	10am – 5.30pm
External Assessment	Date to be confirmed