CPCAB Level 5 Course:
Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
Deep, lasting and meaningful change
Everything we do as counsellors ultimately has one key goal, to support our clients to make lasting and meaningful changes in their lives. But what is it that creates the real difference? And, how can we truly make more of a difference for those we work with? This is the core focus of our Level 5 Diploma. You’ll learn how to understand and uncover the core of your clients’ challenges and use advanced therapeutic techniques to support meaningful change.
Many participants also want to begin working on more complex challenges, and supporting people to do that is another key feature of the course. We discuss what underlies more complex cases, provide tools and techniques that will help you manage these, and also help you build your own confidence to take these on.
Another significant leap for many is the move into independent practice. For those currently working for an agency, we’ll support you to set up your own practice, while those who have already made the leap, help you to improve how you manage your work. You’ll learn the skills and systems needed to build a successful private practice – from managing referrals and ethical boundaries to setting fees, attracting clients, and maintaining balance. It’s practical training designed to help you create a sustainable and fulfilling counselling career.
Crucially, you’ll also be part of a supportive community of qualified counsellors. Together, you’ll share experiences, reflect on challenges, and learn from each other’s insights. That professional connection helps you gain perspective, build confidence, and stay motivated as you continue your development.
Alongside your professional development, you’ll grow personally, too. Working in practice sessions with other trained counsellors gives you a safe space to explore your own triggers, limitations, and emotional patterns associated with your own practice – the parts of you that quietly shape your work. This process strengthens your self-awareness, confidence, and emotional resilience, helping you become the best counsellor you can be.
The CPCAB Level 5 course is fully aligned with SCoPEd Column B. It therefore supports direct progression to BACP Registered Membership, NCPS Accredited Professional status, and roles within specialist or funded services that require that extra level of qualification. The course is designed to be modality agnostic, so you can learn and grow effectively, whatever your core modality currently is.
If your goal is to help clients achieve meaningful, lasting change and to grow into a confident, ethical, and independent professional, our Level 5 Diploma is your next step.
“My experience with Astranti Connect has been first class. From the initial communication, to the online interview and the follow up course materials, it has been a very pleasurable experience. The level of professionalism and course knowledge has been second to none and gives me a feeling of total confidence in the quality and delivery of online courses. I have already recommended Astranti Connect as a course provider for one of my clients and will continue to do so for anyone look to study online with a CPCAB accredited provider with BACP approval.“
Focused on you
Experienced counsellors supporting you at every stage
Small group sizes so tutors are always on hand
Added to an active online community for peer support
Flexible study options
Online live teaching
Pay with an instalment option to spread payments
Study with confidence
Course accredited by CPCAB
Over 20 years of teaching experience
Supported by the Astranti group with a Trustpilot rating of 4.8
What you’ll learn…
Our level 5 course prepares you with the right practical and theoretical skills to continue progressing within your counselling career, whether that’s starting your own practice or gaining a promotion.
Here are just a few of the skills that you will pick up along the way…
“The tutor, in addition to being professional and kind, was a pillar of support throughout the course. Their constant availability via email provided a safety net, ensuring that no question or concern was left unaddressed. This support was a constant source of reassurance, boosting my confidence in the learning process.”
More about our course…
This curriculum is designed to elevate you from a qualified counsellor to an expert psychotherapeutic practitioner, equipped for a thriving independent career.
Deepen your therapeutic assessment
Learn to see your clients with a new level of clarity and insight from the very first session. This module will sharpen your assessment skills, enabling you to work more effectively with a wider range of issues.
- Master advanced client assessment using a variety of models, intake forms, and audit tools.
- Gain a grounding in psychopathology to help you identify and understand more complex mental health presentations.
- Learn effective signposting and client referral techniques to ensure comprehensive and ethical care.
Unlock the power of the therapeutic relationship
This is the heart of the course. You will move beyond foundational skills to explore the powerful, unspoken dynamics that can lead to the most profound breakthroughs for your clients.
- Work with implicit dynamics: Confidently identify and navigate transference, countertransference, and the parallel process.
- Explore core influences: Delve into attachment theory, self-concept, and introjected values to understand the roots of your clients’ struggles.
- Achieve relational depth: Learn what it truly takes to create a therapeutic connection that is, in itself, deeply healing.
Sharpen Your Professional Edge
Evolve into a reflective, evidence-informed practitioner who is committed to lifelong growth. This module ensures you have the tools to stay effective, resilient, and inspired throughout your career.
- Leverage cutting-edge research to inform your practice and improve client outcomes.
- Utilise clinical supervision more effectively as a powerful tool for growth and reflection.
- Commit to your professional development and position yourself for long-term success and impact in the field.
Build a resilient & ethical private practice
Go beyond the therapy room and master the art of being a successful, self-employed practitioner. We’ll equip you with the professional framework to practice with confidence, integrity, and peace of mind.
- Navigate the real-world challenges of independent practice with skill and foresight.
- Master the essentials of ethics, legal requirements, and professional boundaries.
- Develop the complete skillset for establishing and managing a successful practice from the ground up.
Modality: The course is designed to be modality agnostic, so you can learn and grow effectively whatever your core modality current is.
Also included with your course:
CPD seminar subscription
With two live sessions every month, our seminars cover a wide range of fascinating topics and provide numerous opportunities for collaboration, sharing, and discussion. A combination of our in-house tutors and expert guest speakers brings a wide range of experience and expertise to each session. Additionally, you’ll have access to our entire backlog of recorded sessions.
CPCAB digital library
With our course, you’ll get free access to the CPCAB digital library, where you can find the official course books. This enables you to gain additional insights into each of the key course areas, directly enhancing your knowledge through CPCAB’s expert team.
How our courses compare
At Astranti Connect our aim is to provide the best and most comprehensive CPCAB-accredited counselling courses in the UK, and we are continually developing our courses and training our tutors to achieve that goal.
When you’re comparing our course to others, it’s important to consider what our course offers compared to other typical courses. Here’s a comparison against typical course offered by a local college:
How you’ll earn your qualification
The great thing about undertaking a CPCAB course is that it’s recognised nationally. The course has been fully aligned to the ScopEd column B meaning that on completion of this and the relevant practical experience requirements particicpants will be able to become either a BACP Registered Membership or gain NCPS Accredited Professional status.
To apply for this course, students must have at least achieved their Level 4 CPCAB Diploma or equivalent.
To pass the course, you have to prove competence in a variety of key counselling and pracitice skills. You will demonstrate this through undertaking internal assessments. The tutor will gain evidence through observing you demonstrating knowledge and skills as you undertake exercises and practical sessions. In addition, during the course, you will complete regular exploration of your learning, undertake a self-review of your own learning, write assignments and do a case presentation.
A cornerstone of the Level 5 qualification is the completion of a supervised client placement. Students are required to undertake a minimum of 60 hours of one-to-one, formally contracted counselling with clients. This practical experience is designed to be undertaken in a setting where you are acting as an independent practitioner, taking responsibility for managing your caseload and therapeutic work.
Personal development is at the core of the course, so in addition, you will need to undertake a minimum of 10 hours of personal counselling during the course and have had a minimum of 40 hours of personal counselling by the end of the course.
You will obtain your qualification after demonstrating your competence, passing your assessments, and completing your required practice hours.
Our team of experienced tutors knows what it takes to make it as a counsellor. After all, they’re all qualified counsellors themselves and continue to be trained regularly in our tutor development programme! Head to our tutor page to meet the level 5 tutors for your course.
What our students say
“Course is engaging, tutor is great. Worried an online format wouldn’t work well but it is fantastic. I’m learning a lot and there is clear information on the progression to further levels.”
“The sessions were thoughtfully designed, combining whole-group teaching with smaller group activities where we explored personal growth and self-reflection. I’m incredibly grateful to have taken this course, as it challenges you to look beyond the surface and engage in deep self-examination, reflecting on your feelings, thoughts, and biases.”
Please see our testimonials page for more student reviews.
Meet Jay – the Course Tutor!
Jay Treryth
Jay is a qualified psychotherapeutic counsellor working in private practice in Cornwall. As a person-centred counsellor, he is deeply committed to supporting clients in their personal growth and well-being.
Jay has been an integral part of Astranti Connect since 2019 and is our lead tutor. As a highly experienced Level 5 tutor, he has guided many happy cohorts through their training, bringing a wealth of knowledge, empathy, and real-world experience into the classroom. His passion for diversity in the counselling world is evident in his teaching, where he encourages inclusivity and deeper understanding among students.
In addition to his teaching role, Jay also plays a key part in managing the day-to-day business processes and IT needs of Astranti Connect, ensuring that both students and staff have the support they need to thrive.
Kirsty Knight
Kirsty is a highly dedicated counselling tutor, EMDR specialist, and experienced psychotherapist with over a decade of experience in private practice. She has worked with a wide range of clients, including trauma survivors, veterans, and individuals navigating the challenges of family court proceedings. Her extensive expertise, particularly in trauma-informed care, allows her to bring a depth of understanding and compassion to both her therapeutic work and her teaching. Kirsty is passionate about sharing her knowledge and is looking forward to teaching the upcoming residential course, where she hopes to inspire and empower her students.
Find your course
At Astranti Connect, we understand the importance of providing affordable and flexible study options that cater to your needs and lifestyle.
Depending on your preferences and availability, you can choose between our evening and daytime options, and all our level 5 courses are online.
At Astranti Connect, we understand the importance of providing affordable and flexible study options that cater to your needs and lifestyle.
With our instalment plan, you can spread the cost of your course over 18 months, interest-free.
Depending on your preferences and availability, you can choose between our evening and daytime options, and all our level 5 courses are online.
Level 5 Course
Course costs:
£2,381 (our course) + £369 (CPCAB fees)
Total payable: £2,750
Payment options:
Full payment: £500 deposit + 1x payment of £2,250
Instalment options are available – please get in touch for details
Upcoming courses
Explore our upcoming level 5 courses and find one that suits you.
Need help choosing your course?
If you’re thinking about joining one of our level 5 courses, but still have questions you need answers to, why not book a 1-2-1 call with one of our course advisors?
Our course advisors are on hand to help you with any queries that you may have about our courses, and our 1-2-1 calls are completely free.
To book your call, find a time slot that suits you on our 1-2-1 booking calendars below: