CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (PC-L5)

Advanced Post-Qualifying Training Aligned with SCoPEd Column B Competencies

Develop enhanced psychotherapeutic counselling competencies, advanced relational practice, and the ability to work with increased clinical complexity within contemporary counselling and psychotherapy settings.

Ideal for qualified counsellors seeking:
  • advanced psychotherapeutic practice
  • enhanced professional progression
  • greater confidence working with complexity
  • integrative clinical development
  • SCoPEd Column B aligned training

Why This Qualification Matters
The counselling profession is evolving through the BACP SCoPEd Framework, which outlines enhanced competency standards for advanced therapeutic practice.

The updated CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling has been fully mapped to the competences outlined in SCoPEd Column B.

This qualification supports qualified counsellors in developing:

  • advanced psychotherapeutic practice
  • greater relational depth
  • enhanced reflexivity
  • integrative therapeutic understanding
  • competence in working with increased complexity and risk
  • autonomous and ethically informed practice
This qualification supports professional progression beyond core practitioner training into more advanced psychotherapeutic counselling practice.
Why Train with Aspire
At Aspire Counselling Academy, we are committed to delivering advanced counselling and psychotherapeutic training that reflects the evolving direction of the profession.

Our CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling supports qualified practitioners in developing enhanced competencies mapped to the competences outlined in SCoPEd Column B.

​By training with Aspire, you will benefit from:

  • Experienced tutors with backgrounds in psychotherapeutic counselling and clinical supervision
  • A supportive and professionally focused learning environment
  • Training that integrates theory, relational practice, reflexivity, and ethical awareness
  • Greater confidence working with increased complexity and diverse client presentations
  • Flexible study options to support working practitioners
  • A strong focus on professional development, reflective practice, and psychotherapeutic depth

This qualification is designed for qualified counsellors seeking to deepen their clinical understanding, strengthen relational practice, and support professional progression within counselling and psychotherapy settings.

Whether you're expanding your practice or progressing into more advanced psychotherapeutic counselling work, Aspire will support you in developing the depth, confidence, and professional credibility to take that next step.
 

What Is the CPCAB Level 5 PC Diploma?

This qualification is designed for practising counsellors who want to move beyond foundational work and explore the psychotherapeutic process in more depth. It focuses on working with a broad range of client needs—including those with more entrenched or complex issues—through a relational, ethically grounded approach.

 

What You’ll Learn

Working with complex client needs and deeper relational dynamics Advanced assessment, formulation, and therapeutic process Attachment, trauma, identity, loss, and relational theory Reflective, ethical, and integrative practice Supervision and advanced clinical development

 

What to Expect from the Course

Interactive classroom or blended learning Advanced skills development and structured feedback Supervised client work Reflective journals and written assignments Collaborative discussion and experiential learning

Who Is This Qualification For?   
This course is ideal if:

  • You are a qualified counsellor (Level 4 Diploma or equivalent)
  • You want to deepen your psychotherapeutic practice and work with increased complexity
  • You value integrative, relational, and reflective approaches to counselling
  • You are working in or progressing toward private practice, NHS, EAP, education, or community settings
  • You want to develop enhanced competencies mapped to the competences outlined in SCoPEd Column B

This qualification supports practitioners seeking greater therapeutic depth, professional confidence, and progression within counselling and psychotherapy practice.

 The CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling supports more than professional development — it supports deeper therapeutic practice.
It equips qualified counsellors to work more confidently with increased complexity, build deeper therapeutic relationships, and strengthen reflective, ethical, and relational practice.

If you are ready to deepen your psychotherapeutic understanding and take the next step in your professional development, this qualification offers the insight, support, and clinical depth to help you progress.

course dates

Level 5 - Psychotherapeutic Counselling - ONLINE

Date: 8/9/25 Location ONLINE Monday evenings 5:30pm - 10pm ( includes breaks) course is over 30 weeks - term time only

Price: 2800
Apply Now  

Level 5 - Psychotherapeutic Counselling - ONLINE

Date: 19/9/26 Location ONLINE Saturday Mornings 9:30am - 2pm ( includes breaks) course is over 30 weeks - term time only

Price: 2800
Apply Now  

key information for level 5 psychotherapeutic counselling 

Yes. The updated CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling has been mapped to the competences outlined in SCoPEd Column B.

This qualification supports qualified counsellors in developing enhanced psychotherapeutic competencies associated with advanced therapeutic practice and professional progression.

This qualification is designed for qualified counsellors who want to deepen their psychotherapeutic practice and work more confidently with increased complexity.

It is particularly suitable for practitioners working in private practice, NHS settings, EAP services, education, and community counselling settings.

The course explores advanced psychotherapeutic counselling practice, including:
  • relational and integrative approaches
  • trauma-informed practice
  • attachment and developmental theory
  • therapeutic process
  • ethical complexity
  • reflective and reflexive practice
  • working with long-term and complex client presentations
Yes. This qualification supports practitioners seeking enhanced psychotherapeutic competencies and progression within counselling and psychotherapy practice.

Graduates may use this qualification to support progression into advanced counselling roles, private practice development, specialist agency work, and other professional pathways.

Applicants should already hold a recognised counselling qualification at Level 4 (or equivalent) and have experience working with clients in a counselling setting.

Yes. This is an advanced post-qualifying diploma designed for counsellors already working in practice who wish to deepen their clinical understanding and psychotherapeutic skills.
Training includes:
  • interactive classroom or blended learning
  • supervised practice
  • reflective journals and written assignments
  • experiential learning
  • group discussion and feedback
  • theory-informed clinical development
Psychotherapeutic counselling focuses on deeper relational work and longer-term therapeutic process.

It supports practitioners in working more effectively with complex emotional, relational, and psychological difficulties through reflective, ethically grounded, and integrative practice.

You must have obtained a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling or its equivalent.
Qualification Number
500/8386/7
Guided Learning Hours
120 hours
Total Qualification Time
458 hours
Credit value
46
Minimum age
19 years
All course can be paid in full or by monthly payments

ONLINE COURSE
Level 5 course fee is £2800
This includes all CPCAB registration fees
Initial deposit of £400
followed by monthly payments of £400 (x 6 payments)

Payable by monthly invoice or bank transfer

This qualification is awarded by CPCAB, the UK’s leading awarding body specialising in counselling and psychotherapy training