Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling CPCAB Level 4 - Year 2 of 2 - Integrative Psychodynamic/ Person-Centred Focus (BACP Approved)

About the Tutor: Fiona Shimmons

Fiona is a BACP Accredited Counsellor with more than 20 years counselling experience. She is also a diploma qualified supervisor with more than 10 years experience. Fiona has worked in a variety of settings including the NHS, addiction services. schools and private practice. She currently works in private practice as a counsellor and supervisor.

Fiona holds a diploma in Psychodynamic counselling and a MSc in Integrative Counselling. She specialises in working with anxiety, depression and bereavement as well as general mental health issues. She works from an integrative perspective with an emphasis on the Psychodynamic modality.

Fiona holds an AET in teaching and has been teaching counselling courses since 2015.

View all courses taught by Fiona Shimmons here

This course will involve full learner participation and self-reflection. There will be discussions in small and large groups, group activities, role plays and triad work, followed by observer feedback. Students will also be involved in presentations to the class. You must attend a minimum of 85% of the course in order to achieve the qualification.

With regard to the work placement, students need to complete at least 100 hours within a counselling agency over the full 2-year course to be fully qualified. Kent Adult Education require all counselling agencies to provide trainees with a service framework that includes both a line manager and clinical supervision. CPCAB recommends that your agency provides appropriate clinical supervision to meet BACP supervision guidelines for trainees – currently a minimum of 1.5 hours individual supervision per month (or the equivalent if in group supervision) or 1 hour of supervision for every 8 hours of client work. In addition, you will require 30-50 hours group training supervision as part of the course. Please be aware that Kent Adult Education will not be able to pay for your supervision. Students are also responsible for finding their own placement. Progression to Year 2 is not possible without passing Year 1 and having a work placement arranged.

This course is BACP Approved. This involves some extra criteria and an exam at the end of Year 2, or once you have completed 70 of your 100 client hours on placement. This element is designed by CPCAB to support qualification standards and enhance the pathway to becoming a registered BACP Counsellor (see https://www.cpcab.co.uk/qualifications/bacp-approved-tc-l4 for further details). The cost of the course includes the BACP approval.

An A4 ring binder, notebook and pen. You will have access to our Moodle Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) which will provide in-depth course information so access to a computer with a web cam is essential.

Following successful completion of this course, you may progress onto the CPCAB's courses are follows:

- Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (PC-L5) or
- Level 5 Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Skills and Theory (CBT-L5) or,
- A Foundation Degree in Counselling.

And, following at least one year (part time) of post clinical experience, the CPCAB's:, Level 6 Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision (TCSU-L6).
During your course your tutor will offer guidance in relation to your personal progression route. Courses are designed to progress you to further study or into employment. In addition some of our courses support access to Further and Higher Education opportunities. KAE web site has information about these courses and developing your own business. Please speak with your tutor if you have an interest in self-employment or an interest in developing a career. We can also help you access the National Careers service.

You will already have completed the first year of the Level 4 Diploma course.

We welcome students from other providers who have completed year 1. If you are an external candidate, ie. not progressing from our Year 1 course, you need to complete the online application form at the following link - https://forms.office.com/r/CbuL8BdzyZ

We will need a reference from your Level 4 year 1 tutor. The interview will involve a discussion with the tutors about the content and level of the course to ensure it is suitable for you. It is recommended that you don't enrol if you have undergone a life-changing experience during the last 12 months. Your emotional stability will be discussed and it is a chance for you to ask questions about the heavy commitment involved in this course.

Please note, there is no opportunity to apply for the Advanced Learner Loan for this course. You can however, spread the cost with our Easy Payment Plan – ask for details or go to our website www.kentadulteducation.co.uk

You will be provided with a textbook for the course.