Level 4 counselling (A guide)

In this brief blog, we will be talking about level 4 counselling, the topics covered in level 4 counselling, benefits of taking the level 4 counselling course, and more information about level 4 counselling.

What is the level 4 counselling course?

This kind of counselling course is considered as the last course session in the field of counselling which means you can become a counsellor after this counselling course.

This kind of counselling course can also give you teachings and experiences that can lead to a progression in your present helping profession such as being a nurse.

This kind of counselling course will be challenging you in your personal and professional development through the practices that you will be exposed to in this counselling course.

This kind of counselling course can teach the ropes of counselling in organisational settings and healthcare settings. 

This kind of counselling course when combined with the early counselling course which is the level 3 counselling course can lead you to the road of being a qualified counsellor.

Students will finish this kind of counselling course and learning about the following topics:

  • Ethical frameworks such as the significance of setting, supervision and casework management in counselling
  • The effect diverse culture and heritage can have on the client/counsellor relationship in a multicultural society
  • One core therapeutic model
  • How to administer a counselling session with a client in an ethical, effective and secure way
  • How to improve self-awareness
  • The objective and significance of Research in counselling

If you may have more questions about this kind of counselling course, you can ask the company that you have joined this counselling course with to help ease your mind about your recent question.

Topics covered in the level 4 counselling course

The following topics are covered in this kind of counselling course:

  • Professional Organisational Concerns In Counselling
  • Counselling In A Diverse Society
  • Counselling Theory
  • Advanced Counselling Skills For Counsellors
  • Self-Awareness For Counsellors’ Personal Development
  • Research Methodologies In Counselling Used By Counsellors
  • Counselling Placement


This kind of counselling course only lasts for 2 years. You will attend this kind of counselling course in a college or a university from 10.00 am to 4.30 pm on a Thursday.

You need to be ready to complete additional work that will be assigned to you from this kind of counselling course.

You might only be having sessions once a week but the truth is the assignments might make you spend your time for this kind of counselling course for 2 weeks each month.

You need to go through a supervised practice to help you experience the counselling career.

Some universities might make you find your own counselling placement for this kind of practice. 

You will undergo this kind of practice once your instructors have deemed you qualified for this supervision practice.

You will then be obligated to have an hour of supervision for each 12 hours you have worked in this supervision practice in this kind of counselling course.

This kind of counselling course will have one-weekend session for residential practice.

You will be obligated to take this kind of session since it will be part of your student portfolio. 

You will be assigned a date for your residential. You will also be needing some assignments done in this kind of counselling course. 

These kinds of assignments will be explained in this kind of counselling course.

This kind of counselling course will be taught by experienced and qualified counsellors to help you get used to a counselling career.

There will be continuous and informal feedback that will be given to you through this kind of counselling course.

You will also be obligated to make a portfolio for your counselling placement practice.

This kind of counselling course typically takes place in the Town Centre Campus.

The counselling placement practice will be done with the institution you wish to work in while engaging in this kind of practice.

You can learn more about making the most out of your counselling placement practice by buying this book on this website.

Assessment in the level 4 counselling course

In the midst of this counselling course, you will be given assignments to complete such as presentations, reviews, case studies, and other assignments that can help you know what it means to be a counsellor.

These assignments will help you get closer to your goals in this counselling course.

Eligibility requirements of this level 4 counselling course

The following are the eligibility requirements needed to get into this kind of counselling course:

  • Successful achievement of a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills with at least 145 GLH
  • A satisfactory reference from your Level 3 counselling instructor
  • A satisfactory interview. You should also take into account that you would need to be available for around 5 hours on the day of the interview and be ready to practice your skills and get involved in group activities.
  • You will need to give evidence that you can work to an Academic Level similar to 1st Year Degree standard.
  • A dedication to the BACP ethical framework.
  • You will need to have a successful and recent DBS check which can be achieved after the start of the counselling course if you do not have one
  • Finish student membership with the BACP at your own cost after the beginning of the counselling course
  • You need to manifest a dedication to personal development.

If you have been in recovery, you need to make sure that you have done 2 years of this counselling course.

This counselling course will be implemented once minimum spaces for this counselling course have been filled

You can learn more about counselling in the BACP by buying this book on this website.

Duration of the level 4 counselling course

You have a year to finish this counselling course with the recommended study hours taken.

This is an appropriate time for students, especially those who have full-time professions and other commitments. 

You don’t have to be too concerned if you go over the year since you will be adjusted by your instructor who can create an extension for you.

You can learn more about managing your study skills for this counselling course with other commitments by buying this book on this website.

The objective of level 4 counselling

This kind of counselling course can lead you to a specialisation in the counselling field.

You can choose which kind of specialisation you will choose whether you want to focus on substance abuse or traumatised patients.

The only important thing to remember is that you find the counselling field fulfilling for you.

This kind of counselling course can also lead you to study the next counselling course which is the level 5 counselling course but this is considered as an optional counselling course to take. 

You can also proceed in getting yourself accredited as a counsellor in a professional body but you will have to ask the professional on the eligibility requirements required for the accreditation.

You must always remember to practice your counselling career in ethical routs to minimize a broken counselling relationship and having a healthy mindset about yourself. 


ACCPH Accreditation

This is an accreditation that can be present in this counselling course and you will get to enjoy benefits in having this accreditation.

For instance, you might be able to get further education from this accreditation and you will have this education for free as being a member of this accreditation.

You can also learn more about associations giving this accreditation to counsellors and giving further education for them by buying this book on this website.

Outcomes of the level 4 counselling course

As mentioned before, you can get accreditation from taking this kind of counselling course.

Some accreditations offered by this kind of counselling course can lead to a RQF. 

This kind of qualification can make you a credible counsellor in the UK.

Some companies who have this kind of counselling course will earn an equivalent qualification which can make students be able to practice counselling careers that are specialized. 

Many students who go through this kind of counselling course receive qualifications and accreditations every year.

This kind of counselling course can also lead you to a postgraduate course such as the Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling if you wish to add more certifications to your counselling career. 

This can lead to your academic promotion and going to a career path that you want.

This is because this kind of counselling course can offer you the advanced skills of counselling and counselling in different settings with different people, especially dealing with diverse people.

As mentioned before, most students will move forward to become a member of a professional body.

This can be done once the student is able to meet all the requirements needed to become a member of the chosen professional body.

Some companies who offer this kind of counselling course would offer awards that can lead to a certification for achieving this counselling course.

For instance, some organisations who offer this kind of counselling course have ABC Awards for students who succeeded in this counselling course. 

This means that this kind of counselling course went to an external quality check making it credible for learners.

You can also use your achievement in this kind of counselling course to let employers know about your knowledge and skillset that you have earned. 

You can also proceed in increasing your learning progress by moving on to other relevant counselling courses if you wish for more learning.

This can help you get updated on the latest models of counselling that are used today so that you can apply them in your counselling practice.

This kind of counselling course can also be learned through remote settings such as in your home.

This can allow you to learn this kind of counselling course anytime you want and be able to achieve certification for your part as well.

Having these kinds of awards in your counselling career show that you have the qualifications needed for a counsellor.

This can get you enough clients to get more experiences and work the best you can be in this kind of career.

You can learn more about how to achieve accreditation for your counselling career by buying this book here.

Conclusion

In this brief blog, we have talked about level 4 counselling, the topics covered in level 4 counselling, benefits of taking the level 4 counselling course, and more information about level 4 counselling.

If you have any questions about level 4 counselling, please let us know and the team will gladly answer your questions.

FAQs: level 4 counselling

How many counselling hours do I need for BACP accreditation?

The counselling hours that you need for BACP accreditation is 450 hours.

These kinds of hours should be filled with contact between the trainee counsellor and the instructor of the counselling training course.

Counsellors should last for 2 years in this kind of counselling training course to have this kind of accreditation.

How many CPD hours do I need for BACP?

The CPD hours that you need for BACP is 30 hours each year.

This kind of accreditation will also depend on the learning results from your training which can manifest in your counselling practice.

How much supervision does a counsellor need?

The supervision that a counsellor needs should be at least 1.5 hours in each calendar month.

This kind of supervision should be present every two weeks to meet this kind of hourly requirement.

There are also instances that it can become a group supervision session. 

How long is BACP accreditation?

BACP accreditation lasts for 4 to 6 months.

This kind of schedule can begin after you have finished your accreditation assessment process in order to check your eligibility for this kind of accreditation.

Does telephone counselling counts toward accreditation?

No, telephone counselling does not count towards this kind of accreditation.

Although any kind of practice that is supervised at the obligated level should be alright as an eligibility requirement. 

Citations

ABC Awards. Qualification: LEVEL 4 DIPLOMA IN THERAPEUTIC COUNSELLING.

Cpcab. Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (TC-L4).

NCC. Counselling Advanced Diploma Level 4.

Oxbridge. Advanced Counselling Level 4 Diploma.

Stockport. ABC Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.