Overview
This is a two year Advanced Diploma in Counselling – NCPS Accredited (Level 4 equivalent) course running one weekend a month for two years (40 sessions), and will qualify you to work as a professional counsellor.
The course follows an integrative approach, and draws from the traditions of Gestalt, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and Person Centred; which when combined create an holistic perspective which will allow you to successfully counsel clients experiencing a range of issues affecting their mind, body, spirit and emotions.
This is Heartwood’s most popular course and we have been successfully running this course for nearly two decades. Our unique style of teaching allows for each student to develop at their own rate with gentle support from our tutors and student mentor.
In order to strengthen personal, and professional development we will cover:
- Self development exercises
- Understanding the supervisor relationship
- Developing therapeutic relationships with clients
- Developing relational depth
- Creating therapeutic contracts
- Understanding of counselling profession ethics
- Child protection and working with vulnerable young people and adults.
- Managing self-care and caseloads.
Entry Requirements
You will need to have completed a Level 3 Counselling Certificate or equivalent course. If you have not completed your previous training with Heartwood then we will invite you to a short online skills assessment session where you’ll be able to demonstrate your understanding of the core counselling skills with one of our Heartwood tutors ahead of an interview. Please note, Level 3 counselling students will need to be a minimum of three quarters of the way through their current studies before applying for this course.
In cases where you have worked within the helping professions it is possible to gain access onto the course without having a level 3 certificate, this will be assessed on a case by case basis.
All students wishing to enrol onto our Advanced Diploma in Counselling – NCPS Accredited (Level 4 equivalent) course will be invited to participate in an interview with one of our Lead Tutors. The interview is the opportunity for you and the Tutors to ascertain if you are ready for the course and to explore your reasons for applying.
Interviews can take place via an interview at the centre, or by telephone or Skype, when visiting the centre is problematic.
If you are interested in booking onto this course, please complete our Interview Application Form and email to enrolments@heartwoodcounselling.org. To request an interview time, please click here. Alternatively, to speak with our enrolment support officer Sarah, please call 01803 308 604.
Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis and are only secured with a deposit and after successful completion of interview.
Course details
At Heartwood we aim to draw on your own desires and passion for the profession and encourage you to develop your own personal approach to the counselling work you do. We believe that our role is to give you the skills, knowledge and confidence to enable you to develop into the best counsellor you can be.
The training will teach you skills, and theories, in a creative and fun environment, and provide you with many opportunities to develop yourself personally with a strong sense of belief in who you are and what you can offer your clients.
You may find other providers offering this type of training, and they may be cheaper, but we believe that no other course will give you the same mixture of compassionate support and professionally accredited training which we offer. We are right beside you 100% of the way which is why we have such a high success rate.
Weekend courses run one weekend a month for 20 weekends (40 scheduled classroom sessions) over two years, 9.30am to 6pm.
Plus, additional learning included with your enrolment:
- 5 online extended learning workshop days per year, held over weekdays and weekends usually during traditional college holiday periods and bookable in advance
- 7 online evening ‘topic in focus’ sessions during year 1, held once per month to support your training
- 6 online placement support drop-in sessions during year 2, held once per month to support your placement
Next course in Regent’s Park, central London:
- 9th September 2023, one weekend per month, 1 place left
- 30th September 2023, one weekend per month (fully booked, reserve list available)
- 21st October 2023, one weekend per month, 2 places left
This course is also available to study on weekday and weekend options at Heartwood, Devon or weekends in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire and weekends in Edgbaston, Birmingham. Visit the courses page for further course options.
This course is fully accredited by the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) and, at the discretion of the Society, is a route onto a national government register of counsellors which is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
- 400 hours of course time
- Course meets NCPS and BACP requirements for membership and students are encouraged to apply for student membership status with a professional governing body
- 20 hours of personal therapy concurrent with taking the course
- 40 scheduled classroom days over 2 years plus 5 online extended learning workshop days per year
- Online college-wide, tutor-led ‘topic in focus’ evening sessions each month to support your training
- Assessment is both Internal and external at no extra charge
- There is a supported 100 hour placement unit to this course including monthly online support sessions
- We have access to multiple agencies who accept our students on placement
- Student support is provided at no extra charge
- Placement support is provided at no extra charge
- Tutorials are provided on request at no extra charge
- Safeguarding training included at no extra charge
- Curriculum is adapted yearly to meet current NICE guidelines
- Qualifying students could seek employment in NHS, Dept for Education or private practice
Venues
This course is professionally delivered by our experienced tutors and is available to study either in central London, Devon or our new venues Heartwood North in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire and Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Find out where we are.
The London venue is situated in the heart of the peaceful Regent’s Park – a unique location ideal for counselling training in the capital.
In all our venues students have access to outdoor and indoor light and warm recreational space.
Heartwood, Devon, is situated on the beautiful Dartington Hall Estate, just on the outskirts of Totnes in the South Devon countryside.
Our West Yorkshire venue is situated in the picture postcard town of Holmfirth sitting in the heart of the breath-taking Holme Valley.
Our Birmingham venue is situated in the idyllic leafy Edgbaston area which is part of the University of Birmingham and is surrounded by beautiful gardens to perfectly complement Heartwood training.
Course Calendar:
Please click on the below link to view and download the course calendar for upcoming courses:
Advanced Diploma L4 – London – 9th September 2023 – one weekend per month – fully booked, reserve list available
Advanced Diploma L4 – London – 30th September 2023 – one weekend per month, reserve places left
Advanced Diploma L4 – London – 21st October 2023 – one weekend per month
Syllabus
The course runs over two years, with the emphasis in year one being on safeguarding, skills building, confidence and self awareness. And in year two we deepen our theoretical knowledge, explore some of the more challenging aspects of client work, and focus on professional practice.
Throughout the course we will further advance our counselling skills focusing on; skills based triad work, managing anger in the therapy room, giving and receiving feedback, working with sexual issues, working with suicidal clients, working with self-harm and practising interventions.
Throughout both years there is a focus on your own personal growth and development. Our tutors are fully qualified counsellors and will encourage you to seek out the more authentic you, and to celebrate your difference, uniqueness and honour the life challenges that will enable you to work effectively and from the heart.
Content
You will develop a deep understanding of:
- Person Centred Approach
- Gestalt Theory
- Mindfulness based CBT
- Attachment Theory
- The Inner Child
- Trauma concepts
- Transference and countertransference
- Transactional Analysis
- Working with what lies beneath (implicit processes)
- Integrative approaches
- Working with body processes
- Creative interventions
- Difference, diversity and Inclusion
Internal Assessment
The course requires the following:
- Personal counselling (20 sessions and further sessions if required)
- A minimum of 90% attendance on scheduled tuition days
- Completion of a learning journal
- Completion of all course assignments
- Demonstration of practical skills throughout
- Active participation in experiential aspects of the training
- Safety, robustness and readiness to practice as a counsellor
- Counselling skills in practice
External Assessment
The course requires the following;
- A case study
- A placement of 100 hours
- A supervisors report
- An agency report
We create a supportive learning environment here at Heartwood and will guide learners through their studies.
Fees
Payment options:
Full course fee which includes all learning support and sessions £6495.
Your place on the course is secured on receipt of the non-refundable deposit of £645 and completion of a satisfactory interview:
- The outstanding balance of £5850 can then be made in full before the course start date. There is an early bird discount of £200 when paying the balance of your course fees 6 weeks in advance of the start of the course (£5650).
- The balance of your fees can be paid annually at £3392.86* for year 1 and £2507.14* for year 2 *(This includes an administration fee of £50.00 for annual payments).
- A monthly payment plan is available at £291.50* for 21 months. *(This includes an administration fee of £12.93 per month (total £271.50) for instalment payments).
What Students Say
“I just wanted to take the time to email and say how much I am enjoying my level 4 course. It’s absolutely brilliant and I am loving every minute of it! Our tutor Diane is completely wonderful and we are learning so much from her. She is managing to completely hold the space for all of us and has created such a safe space for us to learn and grow. She’s amazing!”
Susanna 2021
Register your interest
To register your interest in our London course without obligation, please click here
Or, to register your interest in our Devon courses, please click here
If you are interested in booking onto this course, to request an interview, please click here. Alternatively, to speak with our enrolment support officer Sarah, please call 01803 308 604.
Enrol
To enrol on this course, please select your payment method below and then select ‘Buy now’ to proceed.
If you are interested in booking onto this course, to request an interview, please click here. Alternatively, to speak with our enrolment support officer Sarah, please call 01803 308 604.
