Advanced Diploma in Humanistic and Integrative Counselling

“In a world where there is an increasing pull to finding quick fixes and bite-sized, reactive debate, the training at BCPC continues to provide a safe but also challenging space where future counsellors are encouraged to stay with and reflect on what is difficult… 

“Everyone works to maintain the highest standards and integrity of this in-depth training course. I also respect how the senior staff at BCPC continue to reflect how the training can adapt in a very changing world – both to celebrate and support diverse needs and to reflect on the changing face of psychological therapy when so much is digitised and contact is often remote."

External Examiner, 2026 

This Advanced Diploma level training prepares students for the intensity and complexity of working at relational depth, whether in time-limited or longer-term counselling with adult clients. This depth approach takes time, which is why our Advanced Diploma is longer than some other counselling trainings. The private practice element of the course, which is unique to BCPC, gives students the option of working as a self-employed counsellor as an alternative to, or alongside, working in an agency setting. 

Students are taught using experiential learning methods, combined with core readings and handouts and underpinned by our humanistic ethos. The aim is to bring concepts to life and enhance self-awareness, through self-reflection and personal engagement with theory. 

Students are required to work in agency placements, attend regular supervision and individual weekly counselling or psychotherapy throughout the training. In the second year of the Diploma, students are supported in setting up a small private practice. 

Our theoretical approach integrates concepts and ways of working from Humanistic and Psychodynamic traditions. We draw on the work of Klein, Winnicott, Bowlby, Jung, Erikson, Stern, Lowen and Rogers as well as more contemporary theorists from Humanistic, Psychodynamic, Attachment and Body Process approaches. The training also focuses on the counselling relationship itself and the on-going self- development of the counsellor.

This 3 year course is taught in person, one day a week over 2 academic taught years. This is followed by a non-taught submission year, during which students are supported by a personal Submission tutor to complete their qualifying papers. Students are expected to continue in supervised practice and in personal therapy up until the point of submission.

During the taught years, students are expected to complete written and practical assignments which include audio critiques of client work, and essays that demonstrate an ability to relate theory to practice and personal development. Students are also required to keep a personal reflective journal.

Skills practice places emphasis on the experience of an authentic relationship between counsellor and client. This is developed through group and individual feedback processes. Students will learn skills of self-reflection and an awareness of personal, interpersonal and group dynamics through a weekly Process group in Years 1 and 2. 

An additional element of online counselling is introduced in Year 1. This requires specific conditions for participation - the need for good internet connection; suitable technology/devices; technical ability to work online; and a private space to attend online training and hold clinical sessions if working from a student's own home.     

The Advanced Diploma is awarded to students who have passed all elements of the course; achieved a minimum of 150 supervised practice hours in an agency setting; and met the private practice requirements. At least 51% of the total practice hours need to be in person. A minimum of 8 private practice hours with one client must be completed in order to achieve the award.

The Diploma is a BACP accredited course and as such BCPC graduates are automatically eligible to become BACP Registered Counsellors on successful completion. Dual accreditation of the training by BACP and UKCP enables graduates to work towards either BACP Accredited status or to become UKCP Registered as a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor. Both of these routes require a total of 450 clinical hours upon application.

Students are required to be in weekly individual counselling or psychotherapy with a practitioner on the BCPC Approved Lists, throughout the course and up to the point of submission - the cost of which is not included in the tuition fees.

You can view the curriculum here: Curriculum Advanced Diploma In Counselling

Before applying please ensure you read our Diploma Entry Requirements

Applications for entry in September 2027 will open in January 2027 and must be submitted by 1 May 2027. The Counselling interview day is on 8 June 2027.

In line with our aim to support greater representation in the Counselling and Psychotherapy profession, BCPC welcomes applicants from underrepresented and marginalised groups. If you have a disability or long-term health condition, we will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to participate fully on the course. Our premises are partially wheelchair accessible.

For those applicants where English is not your first language, please be aware that evidence of a required level of proficiency will need to be in place at the time of application. 

For detailed information about Course dates and fees, please download the Course Information Sheet via the link at the top of this page.

External applicants: For applicants who have not completed our Foundation certificate, please visit our Diploma Entry Requirements to find out more.

Please complete our External Application Form (available to download above) and email it, along with your essay, to officemanager@bcpc.org.uk

Please note we charge a non-refundable application fee of £60. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you following receipt of your application. Two references, submitted on BCPC reference forms are required. One should be from a previous tutor or employer, and one should be a personal friend or colleague - but not a family member or therapist. The reference form template will be emailed to you following receipt of your application. Applicants will be shortlisted for interview on the strength of their applications.

Internal applicants: For applicants who have completed our Foundation Certificate, please complete our Internal Application Form (available to download above) and email it to officemanager@bcpc.org.uk

Please note we charge a non-refundable application fee of £60 and this should be paid when you submit your application by BACS or cheque. If we do not receive your payment at the time of your application, we will send a reminder. Otherwise, please take it that your payment has been received. Two references are required; one from your current Foundation Tutor (please let them know about your application) and one from a person other than either of your referees for Foundation. Please send this person the BCPC Reference Form 2027 and ask them to return it to the BCPC Office as soon as possible.

Once you have submitted your application you will get an acknowledgement email to confirm that it was successfully received. If you have any questions about the process or the application form, please contact admin@bcpc.org.uk or telephone 01225 429 720.

If you do not hear from us within 3 working days following submission of your application, please email admin@bcpc.org.uk to ensure we have received it.

Our interview day is structured as a workshop-style experience. Applicants will be short-listed for interview on the strength of their applications. Please note that there is one interview day on Tuesday 08 June 2027. We are unable to offer alternative interview dates.

Many of our graduates go on to work in agency settings - some of which are offered to them as students; in primary care/G.P surgeries and University counselling services. Others set up in Private Practice. The majority of our students are already working in Private Practice and/or an organisational setting by the end of the training.

Graduates also go on to specialise and take post graduate courses to enable them to work with young people, couples, or in specialist approaches to trauma such as EMDR.

*Please note: all fees are subject to annual review