Can you do a Level 4 Counselling Course Online? Introducing our Residential Counselling Courses
Are you considering pursuing a Level 4 counselling qualification but finding it challenging to locate a local provider? This page dives into the advantages of residential counselling courses, which may offer a better alternative for those who cannot access in-person training nearby.
1. Can you do a level 4 online counselling course?
2. What does a residential counselling course look like?
3. Residential courses versus standard courses
4. Residential counselling course providers
5. Our residential course
6. Why join a Connect course?
1. Can you do a Level 4 Online Counselling Course?
So, as our CPCAB Residential is completed in part online, we thought it would be worth exploring the online aspect a little bit more… and discussing “CPCAB 4 online courses” more generally!
It can be helpful to clear a couple of things up, such as whether or not you can complete CPCAB Level 4 online!
This is important because the answer is a little more nuanced than yes or no…Â
Let’s take a look.Â
Can you complete CPCAB Level 4 online?
So, as we mentioned, this question is a little tricky to answer, so let’s break it down into numbers…
100% online?
You CANNOT complete CPCAB Level 4 100% online – this is due to CPCAB guidelines and ensuring students have enough face-to-face and in-person skills practice in order to feel comfortable and confident with clients (IRL)!
25% online?
You can however, complete CPCAB Level 4 partially online – in fact it is now a CPCAB requirement that 25% of CPCAB Level 4 be completed online, in order for students to feel confident with online mediums when working with clients, as we move to a increasingly digital world!
So, in short, you can complete CPCAB Level 4 online in part (specially 25%)!Â
How do the online aspects of CPCAB Level 4 residential work?
Spread across seven immersive five-day weekends over two years, the residential component offers an unparalleled opportunity for deep engagement and connection with both peers and tutors, and makes up 75% of the training. These extended residential periods not only foster a supportive learning environment but also allow for meaningful exploration and practice of counselling techniques in a serene and exclusive setting.
Complementing the residential weekends are live online evening classes held every two weeks, ensuring continuous learning and support. By blending traditional face-to-face interactions with the convenience of remote learning, our course empowers students to embark on their counselling journey with confidence and adaptability, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in their future practice. These make up the other 25% of the course!
If you are looking for more flexibility, our CPCAB Level 4 Residential course is an ideal choice.
You can study from home through our bi-weekly online sessions, so you don’t need to live near a hub or worry about a weekly commute. Additionally, you will still benefit from essential in-person interaction during the residential weekends. It’s the best of both worlds!
2. What does a residential counselling course look like?
So, now we’ve taken a look at the online elements, let’s take a look at residential counselling courses a little more generally…
Residential counselling courses provide an immersive educational experience designed to equip aspiring counsellors with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge they need in a supportive and intensive setting.Â
Typically, a residential counselling course involves staying at a dedicated facility for part of or the duration of training, which can range from a few weeks to several months. This format not only facilitates focused learning away from daily distractions but also fosters deep connections with fellow trainees and tutors, enhancing both personal and professional development.Â
In these courses, participants engage in a variety of learning activities, including triad skills sessions, group discussions, and hands-on practice with real-life counselling scenarios. This comprehensive approach ensures that by the end of the course, trainees are well-prepared to face diving headfirst into the world of counselling!
3. Residential courses versus standard courses
Okay, so how do residential counselling courses compare to standard?
Here, we explore the pros and cons of both a residential course and a standard course, to help you decide which might be right for you!
Advantages of Residential Counselling Course:
- Immersive environment: Residential courses offer an immersive learning environment where you live and study in the same place. This can lead to deeper engagement with the material and a more intensive learning experience.
- Community building: Staying on-site allows for the development of close-knit relationships with peers and tutors, fostering a strong support network that can enhance both personal and professional growth.
- Focused learning: With fewer external distractions, residential courses can provide a more focused environment that is conducive to learning.
- Non-Local accessibility: One significant advantage of residential courses is that you don’t have to be local to the institution offering them. This opens up opportunities for students from a broader geographic area to attend without the daily commute, making these courses accessible to a wider audience who can choose the best program regardless of location.
Advantages of Standard Counselling Course:
- Flexibility: Non-residential courses often allow for more flexible schedules, including evening and weekend classes that fit around other life commitments.
- Cost-Effective: Generally, non-residential programs are less expensive than their residential counterparts, as they don’t include accommodation or full board.
- Accessibility: Standard courses may be more geographically accessible, with more locations available, reducing travel and living costs.
Disadvantages of a Residential Counselling Course:
- Less flexibility: The structured nature of residential programs can offer less flexibility for students who have other commitments, such as work or family.
- Intensity of the program: The intensive nature of the course might be overwhelming for some, as it combines living and studying in the same environment.
Disadvantages of a Standard Counselling Course:
- Less immersive: Without the residential component, the learning environment may be less immersive and intensive.
- Distractions: Students might find it challenging to switch between academic, professional, and personal roles, especially when studying in their usual environment with everyday distractions.
Ultimately, the choice between residential and standard counselling training courses depends on your personal circumstances, career goals, and learning preferences. If you thrive in intensive environments and seek deep immersion in the subject matter, a residential course might be more beneficial.
On the other hand, if you need to balance training with other life responsibilities or prefer a less intense learning environment, a standard non-residential course could be more appropriate.
It’s important to weigh these pros and cons in the context of your personal and professional objectives to make an informed decision that aligns with your long-term goals in the counselling field.
CPCAB Level 4 Residential Course – September 2024
Enrolment for our Loughborough-based CPCAB Level 4 course is now open!
Become a qualified counsellor in two years with our part-time residential course course, consisting of 35 live online sessions and 35 residential days spread across two years.
4. Residential counselling course providers
In the UK, residential counselling courses are not all that common! And, unlike regular counselling courses, no university’s have them on offer.Â
However, there are a number of specialist providers out there, each with a focused approach to equipping students for careers in counselling and/or mental health and wellbeing.
When considering a residential counselling course, it’s important to evaluate the offerings based on key factors like accreditation, course duration, and the nature of residential components. Here’s a comparative look at some leading providers to help you decide which course might be right for you.
Specialist providersÂ
These providers typically offer a specialised, immersive environment, often with smaller class sizes that allow for greater interaction with faculty members. Many tutors are practising counsellors with strong ties to the professional community, which can be a significant advantage when seeking placements and employment opportunities.
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- Persona Centre – Offers a Professional Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy, accredited by the BACP and the SQA. This two-year part-time programme is structured to accommodate those with weekday commitments through weekend and week-long residential blocks.
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- The Albany Centre – Provides a structured two-year counselling course that can extend into a third year for more advanced training, spanning nine weekends and one intensive five-day residential per year.Â
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- Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education (CCPE) – Offers an extensive four-year Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy that integrates a spiritual and transpersonal approach, accredited by the UKCP. The programme includes weekly in-person evening sessions and a residential component.
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- Astranti Connect – Last but not least, we offer a CPCAB Level 4 Residential Course accredited by the BACP, that combines bi-weekly line-online learning with seven immersive five-day residential weekends.Â
*Accreditation
It’s important to clarify what we mean by accreditation!
Essentially, accreditation serves as a stamp of approval from an official counselling body that a course meets certain requirements to ensure all counsellors are trained to the same high standard, including elements such as ethical practice.
The BACP and NCS are examples of accrediting counselling bodies! For more information, check out our counselling training guide, which breaks down what accreditation means for the counselling industry.
5. Our residential course
Crucially, our CPCAB Level 4 residential counselling course combines the best of online and in-person learning. This blend offers the perfect mix of convenience, quality, and immersive experience. Our students receive comprehensive training while enjoying the flexibility of online classes and the depth of face-to-face interactions.
One of the key benefits of this blended approach is that it accommodates students who may not live near one of our hubs. With our bi-weekly online sessions, you can stay connected with your fellow students and participate in regular learning activities from the comfort of your home. This means you only need to commute for the residential components seven times over the two-year period.
These residential weekends are intensive and immersive, allowing you to fully engage with the material, practice your counselling skills in a supportive environment, and build meaningful relationships with your peers and tutors. The serene setting of Nanpantan Hall further enhances this experience, providing an ideal backdrop for reflection and personal growth.
By balancing online learning with these in-person retreats, we ensure that our students gain the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their counselling careers without sacrificing the flexibility needed to manage their personal and professional commitments. This unique structure truly offers the best of both worlds
Want to know more about our residential course?
We’ve been working with the CPCAB to bring you a truly unique Level 4 course that combines live online classes with seven, five-day weekends at the exclusive Nanpantan Hall near Loughborough.
Learn more
6. Why join a Connect course?
So, why do we think you should study with us?Â
We have experienced tutors
Connect tutors are all qualified counsellors with experience in teaching. Many are also practising counsellors and, when they aren’t teaching our classes, they continue to work with their own clients. Our tutors have a wealth of relevant, real-life experience and strong ties with the local counselling community.
We specialise in counselling
We have over 15 years of experience in counselling training and, unlike universities and colleges which offer a broad range of courses, our expertise and knowledge are focused on a small number of subject areas.
We are a national provider with centres across the country
If you’re not set on completing your counselling courses in Bristol, but you’d like to take part in one of our classroom counselling courses, we also have counselling hubs in Devon, Wiltshire, Norwich, Sheffield and Manchester. This also means you don’t have to be tied to one area throughout the course of your studies! We also have online options for Levels 2 and 3 and our post-qualification courses, offering additional flexibility. You can check out our full range of courses here.
We have a high Trustpilot rating
We are renowned as a high-quality training provider, as you can see from our excellent Trustpilot rating and reviews!
We have limited class sizes
Both our online and in-person courses have a maximum size of 16-18 people. This offers a great balance between plenty of tutor interaction and support and working and practising with a diverse range of people.
You will get access to our online community
We have an active online community, allowing you to learn from other students and support each other in your studies.
Our students must pass pre-course assessments
This helps to ensure our courses run as smoothly as possible, and you can rest assured that you and your fellow students are well-suited to the course.
We provide courses for Levels 2 to 6
This means once you pass one course, you can move on to another! Completing our Levels 2, 3 and 4 courses sets you up to apply for BACP membership to become a qualified, professional counsellor.
Our CPD Seminar Subscription comes free with our CPCAB courses
Twice a month our own tutors or expert guest speakers host live online seminars, each focusing on a new interesting topic in the world of counselling. From ‘Exploring Sexual Diversity’ to ‘What Star Wars Can Teach Us About Right and Wrong’, there’s something for everyone.
When you join a Connect course, you’ll have access to our live seminars and full bank of recorded sessions for the duration of your course.
Our Connect coursesÂ
Whether you’ve decided a classroom or online course is best for you, we have lots of course options available to suit your needs!
We offer the following in-person courses at our Bristol hub:Â
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling SkillsÂ
Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Each of these courses is approved by the CPCAB, and completing the Level 4 Diploma provides a pathway to BACP membership. It also forms part of the CPCAB Open University Foundation Degree if you’d like to come away with a degree at the end of your studies.Â
If you’re after a bit more flexibility, we also offer live daytime and evening online courses for Levels 2 and 3 (remember, these can be completed online as long as they’re live, but the majority of Level 4 must be completed in a classroom setting to qualify for BACP membership!).Â
Once qualified, we also offer a Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling and Level 6 Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision – because why stop there?Â
And, as we mentioned above, if you’re not sure you want to complete your counselling courses in Bristol, we also have counselling hubs in Devon, Liverpool, Glasgow, London, Edinburgh, Sheffield and Manchester. You can check out our full range of courses here.
Want to talk to someone about your next course options?
If you have any questions about Astranti Connect’s counselling courses in Bristol, you can have a free 1-2-1 call with one of our Connect student advisors!
Head to your relevant course page below to book yours:
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