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Level 4 Therapeutic Counselling Course in Dorchester

CostFREE
Duration2 years
LevelLevel 4
DeliveryClassroom based
Start25 Sep 2026
Study modePart-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyCPCAB awarding body
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About this course

Level 4 Therapeutic Counselling Course in Dorchester. Classes run at Dorchester Library and Learning Centre on Fridays, part-time during the day. You may be eligible for an Advanced Learning Loan to help with fees. This therapeutic counselling qualification develops the knowledge, skills, and competencies to work as a counsellor in an agency setting. The course runs over approximately two years. Before applying, you need to have completed a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills and a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies, or an approved equivalent.

Who this course is for

CPCAB have designed this course to support you with working in the Counselling sector. Successful completion of this course will provide skills and knowledge required to gain work in a therapeutic counselling role. You need to have completed the CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills and the CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies, or approved equivalent before applying for this course. You will need to have sufficient life experience, and psychological and emotional stability to undertake this intensive and demanding course. This will be assessed and confirmed by tutors at the enrolment session, as well as during the first 4 weeks of the course.

You can check the suitability of this course for a preferred career path or route to employment by looking at various job profiles on the National Careers Service website https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/

There is an expectation that if you enrol on this course, you are willing to commit fully to the period of time involved in this course, the associated home study and the assessed work required, and intend to sit the external assessment in your second year of study. �

English language skills at Level 2 are required. You may be asked to complete an online assessment in English after to submitting a course application or as part of an admission session.

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What you will learn

  • You'll develop the core skills to work as a therapeutic counsellor with clients in an agency context.
  • You'll learn how to build and maintain a therapeutic relationship.
  • You'll study counselling theory and how to apply it in practice.
  • You'll develop your ability to assess client needs and manage risk.
  • You'll understand professional and ethical frameworks for counselling practice.
  • You'll reflect on your own development as a practitioner through self-awareness work.
  • You'll gain experience of working with clients under supervision.

How you will learn

Classes run on Fridays from 09:30 to 16:30 at Dorchester Library and Learning Centre. Learning is classroom based, combining taught sessions with skills practice and group work. Assessment includes written assignments, reflective journals, and evidence of supervised client work. You will also need to undertake personal therapy and supervised practice hours as part of the qualification requirements.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Dorchester Library and Learning Centre will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Counsellor, working in a voluntary or agency setting with clients
  • Student counsellor, supporting young people in schools or colleges
  • Workplace counsellor, providing employee support programmes
  • Bereavement counsellor, helping people through loss and grief
  • Addiction counsellor, working in substance misuse services
  • Community counsellor, based in GP surgeries or community health teams

What you could study next

  • Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling: a natural next step if you want to practise at a higher level or work toward professional membership of a counselling body.
  • A degree in Counselling or Psychotherapy: some universities accept this Diploma for entry onto undergraduate or postgraduate programmes, opening routes into private practice or specialist clinical roles.
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