QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR DIPLOMA COURSE?

Please check our website heartandmind.london/diploma for general information and further details.

Any further questions? We listed below the answers to questions we are often asked. If you have still unanswered questions after this, feel free to get in touch using the online contact form below.

What is the cost of the 2-year Level 5 Diploma?

The cost for the 2-year Diploma is listed on the website. The deposit is inclusive of the total course fees.

What costs are not included in the course fees?

Expenses associated with your placement, external supervision or personal therapy are costs not included in the course fees.

What is the method of delivery for your Level 5 Diploma?

We adhere to the BACP and CPCAB requirements; our blended course is 70% face-to-face in a classroom & 30% online synchronised learning.

Can I attend online for the duration of the course?

Unfortunately, it is mandatory to have an 80% attendance. Student who cannot attend face-to-face on classroom days, or on the online synchronised learning days, will be marked absent.

What is the start date of the next Diploma?

Normally it is the first Friday in October unless otherwise specified. We adhere to the academic year for half-terms, and holidays.

What dates are the course?

Is run over 2 academic years from the beginning of October until the end of June (30 days per year).

Do you provide placements?  

Students are responsible to find their own placements however we provide a list of placements opportunities which we network with for students to contact if they wish.

Do you provide supervision?  

The course provides 8, in class, supervision groups per academic year where students can claim 45 minutes (0.75 hrs) of supervision however, students need a minimum of 90 minutes of supervision per month while in a clinical placement. Some placements provide supervision, however, if the placement does not, the student is responsible to find an external supervisor.

I have successfully completed a Level 3 Certificate Counselling Skills Course at another institution, do I need to do a Heart and Mind Level 3?

No, we recognise any training facility that provided 100 hrs+ of Guided Learning Hours (GLH) for a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills.

What if my training facility does not grant a level 3 certificate?

The best option is to contact the BACP and see if your course is acceptable in conjunction with our Level 5 Diploma to provide the necessary hours to apply for accreditation.

I am currently enrolled in a Level 3 Certificate Counselling Skills Course which is due to finish in June/July, do I have to wait until my current course is finished to apply?

The application process opens in March, and applicants can apply while in training on a Level 3 course. However, candidates who are successful in the application process will be offered a provisional place with Heart and Mind Diploma subject to providing proof of successfully completing their Level 3 course.

I am currently enrolled in a Level 3 Certificate Counselling Skills Course at another institution, do I need to complete a Level 4 course to qualify for your Level 5?

No, the prerequisite for the Heart and Mind Level 5 is a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills. Other institutions may offer a level 4 course, we do not.

I completed my Level 3 Counselling Courses 10 years ago; can I still apply?

There is no time limit on completion of Level 3 course, you can apply for our Diploma, however, the gap in time might make the diploma a challenge.

I would like to apply for a Level 4 Diploma in therapeutic counselling, can I train with your organisation?

We do not offer a Level 4 Diploma course; however, you can apply for our Level 5 Diploma if you have successfully completed a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills.

I have completed a Level 4 Counselling Course; can I apply for your Level 5 Diploma?

Yes, you can, however, there is no need to retrain at a Level 5 if you have successfully completed a Level 4 Diploma and the 100-hour clinical placement as part of the training. The only advantage of a Level 5 is that you can start counselling in your own private practice after graduation.

I have completed a Level 4 Counselling Course and integrated placement, but I’d like a Christian Perspective to underpin my work, should I apply for your Level 5 Diploma?

Our course is unique in that the students are taught how to integrate their Christian faith with the curriculum/ teaching. But if you wish to integrate your Christian faith with your counselling and have successfully completed a Level 4 Diploma and placement, the Association for Christians in Counselling (ACC) offers CPD days, conferences, and 6-week online training courses which would be cheaper than doing a further 2-years of study for the Level 5. You may also consider higher education options at Waverley Abbey College or Surgeons. The websites are: www.acc-uk.org   www.waverleyabbeycollege.ac.uk

What is the difference between a level 4 and level 5?

Both Diplomas at level 4 or 5 are considered to be the qualifying level to become a counsellor in the UK. Level 4 is the basic or standard level. Level 5 requires a slightly higher academic standard and has some specialist elements that a level 4 may not, including how to set up a private practice.

I have completed a BA in Psychology; can I apply for your Level 5 Diploma?

Unfortunately, we cannot accept any graduates who do not have an element of Counselling in their Psychology degree course. Furthermore, the word ‘Counselling’ needs to be included in the title of course and the counselling modules must total 100+ hours. Unless you are able to provide evidence of 100 hours of counselling studies, as part of your BA, you will need to complete a level 3 Counselling skills certificate before applying for the Diploma level 5.

I have completed a BA in Counselling Studies; can I apply for your Level 5 Diploma?

Yes, you can, however, there is no need to retrain at a Level 5 if you have successfully completed a BA in Counselling Studies, and an integrated placement as a part of the degree course.

I am currently in training on a Level 4 (or Level 5) Counselling Course, but I would like to specialise in Christian Counselling. Would it be possible to transfer and complete my 2nd year of study at your training facility, or do I need to do the full 2 years.

Unfortunately, we do not allow students to join our 2-year Diploma for 1 year only; we are a tailor-made CPCAB accredited course, and our curriculum differs from regular CPCAB courses. If you wanted to apply, you would have to do the full 2 years of our Diploma.

I am not a practising Christian however - am I still able to apply for this training?

While we would not turn you away from applying for the course, on grounds of faith and spirituality, we are curious as to why you would be interested in a course that looks at counselling and psychotherapy through a Christian spiritual worldview. 

The course is designed (and accredited by the CPCAB) to help practicing Christians integrate their faith with the various counselling approaches. Any student who applies would need to be familiar with and engage with a Christian spiritual worldview. 

MORE QUESTIONS?

If you have still any specific questions unanswered, get in touch for further details using our online contact form below