Other Mary Ward Services

Legal Advice Community Services
Other Services
Close

Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling 2025-2027

Enrol Now

Thursday, 10:00 to 17:15
25 September 2025 – 16 July 2026


Course Code: CS0519
Tutor: Maria Barletta
Location: Mary Ward Centre, Stratford
Duration: 36 weeks
Full fee: £3475
Concession fee: Loan

Apply

  • Course Overview

    **Please note that we are no longer accepting applications for this cohort. Additional courses will be available in the future, so we encourage you to check our website regularly for updates.

    Drawing on Clarksons five-strand model of the therapeutic relationship, the course integrates humanistic, analytic and transpersonal perspectives. Students will be expected to gain 70 hours of personal counselling and to begin a counselling placement. Entry onto the course is by interview, and you must already have a minimum of 180 hours formal counselling training or the equivalent. The Level 4 Diploma in Counselling provides professional counselling training in the public sector. On successful completion of the course students will be able to practice as counsellors within an agency.

    The course also examines the wider context of counselling. It looks at the meaning of an ethical professional stance and its implications and explores students' attitudes to people who may be different from themselves.

    To be accepted onto the course, applicants should have a:

    - Level 2 Diploma in Counselling Skills and a Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Studies, or equivalent i.e. - 180 hours of formal counselling training.

    - GCSE in English Language, grade A - C (or equivalent) plus fluency in spoken English.

    - Reference from previous Counselling Tutor

    The core model of the course is integrative, based primarily on the work of Clarkson, as described in The Therapeutic Relationship. It acknowledges the central importance of the relationship between counsellor and client, identifying five aspects of it:

    1. the working alliance

    2. the reparative relationship

    3. the transference/counter transference relationship

    4. the I - Thou or person-to-person relationship

    5. the transpersonal relationship.

    These five themes will run throughout every aspect of the course.

    The course will integrate humanistic, analytic and transpersonal perspectives. We shall offer a mixture of theory, personal development and skills practice, which will encourage students to reflect widely on every aspect of their lives and identities - physical, emotional, social, mental and spiritual.

    Upon successful completion, students will be awarded the CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (BACP accredited)

    For additional course information, please see: Course Brochure

    Admission is by Tutor Approval Only, and subject to interview.

    To apply for an interview, please submit your completed Application Form to counselling@marywardcentre.ac.ukand we will advise you of the next available interview date.

    For further information please contact counselling@marywardcentre.ac.uk

    **Please note that we are no longer accepting applications for this cohort. Additional courses will be available in the future, so we encourage you to check our website regularly for updates.

  • What will it be like?

    By the end of this course you will:

    - be able to work competently as a counsellor in an agency setting.

    - have developed strategies for working across barriers of culture, class, sexual orientation and other differences.

    - be able to maintain a counselling relationship through all stages, from initial contact to completing the counselling contract.

    - be committed to maintaining ethical standards of professional practice.

    - know your limitations, and understand how to make appropriate referrals.

    - understand the importance of supervision, and use it constructively.

    - have developed respectful attitudes to others.

    - have a sound foundation for working towards individual Accreditation as a counsellor with the BACP.

  • What else do I need to buy or do?

    Theory and skills assessments are based on specific learning outcomes and will be evidence-based. Students will be expected to have compiled a portfolio of evidence of their learning by the end of Year 2.

    You will be required to undertake 100 hours of work with clients by the end of Year 2. Students are responsible for finding their own work placements- though help will be given. You may also have to pay for some supervision of your client work.

    Students are also expected to complete 70 hours of personal counselling or therapy during the course. You must arrange your own therapy at your own cost.

  • What could it lead to?

    Progress to Year 2 of the Professional Diploma in Integrative Counselling at the Mary Ward Centre.

    Take further training in the field - e.g. Gestalt, Body-work, Psychodynamic, Psychodrama, etc. according to how your interests developed on the course.

  • What are the costs?
    Payment information: The full fee for the 2 years is £6950. This is paid annually, £3475 per year. Loans are available for this course, the maximum loan value is £4670, so the balance of £2280 must be paid annually, £1140. There are no concessions available.

Can't see what you want?

Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling 2025-2027

Wednesday, 10:00 to 17:15
24 September 2025 – 15 July 2026

Course Detail
Course Code: CS0520
Tutor: Lisa Broni
Location: Mary Ward Centre, Stratford
Duration: 36 weeks
Full fee: £3475
Concession fee: Loan
Thursday, 10:00 to 17:15
25 September 2025 – 16 July 2026


Course Code: CS0519
Tutor: Maria Barletta
Location: Mary Ward Centre, Stratford
Duration: 36 weeks
Full fee: £3475
Concession fee: Loan

Apply

Journey Planner.

See how long it will take you to get to college. Please select the campus of the course you wish to study.

Plan my journey