Level 6 Counselling Qualification

The course cost is £1200, plus the accreditation fee set by CPCAB (approximately £250).

The course will run across five, two-day blocks.

• A two day initial in-person session
• Four two-day online blocks via Zoom and/or Teams.  

Face to face meetings will take place at SWEDA HQ in Shepton Mallet, Somerset
 
Block One: (in person): Friday 15th & Saturday 16th January 2027
Block Two: (online): Friday 5th & Saturday 6th February 2027
Block Three: (online): Friday 5th & Saturday 6th March 2027
Block Four: (online): Friday 2nd & Saturday 3rd April 2027
Block Five: (online): Friday 7th & Saturday 8th May 2027

Students are required to have completed a minimum of a CPCAB Level 4 diploma (or equivalent) (with some experience of working independently with clients). Students also need to meet the generic CPCAB requirements:
 
Potential candidates must possess a level of literacy and numeracy sufficient for the programme concerned
and be aware of the time and other resources required for the course. Applicants need to know that the
qualification is not suitable for those who are currently in a state of severe emotional difficulty and/or
severe psychological distress, for example those:

• Currently experiencing – without ongoing and appropriate professional support – a recent, major
  life crisis such as marital breakdown or a close bereavement.
• Currently experiencing moderate to severe mental health problems without appropriate
  professional support, or where this has the potential to impact on their ability to maintain
  counselling/coaching/supervision relationships appropriately. This includes an eating disorder or eating difficulties.
• Currently involved in substance misuse.

We will also consider the following criteria when making a decision on applicant selection:

• Reasons for a special interest in eating disorders including willingness to reflect on personal experiences of one.
• Awareness of time and resources needed to complete the course
• References
• To be currently in supervised practice
• Be academically and emotionally able to cope with the training
• Ability to work with difference and diversity
• Be a member of an appropriate professional body and adhere to its ethical framework and be willing to reflect on what this means including personal qualities
• Ability to be sensitive and responsive to others in the training group

The course will consist of 70 guided learning hours with a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 280 hours. This means there will be 210 hours of additional study time needed. This will be used for homework assignments, additional reading including assigned reading for the upcoming guided learning sessions. 
                  
The course will run across five, two-day blocks. 

• A two day initial in-person session
• Four two-day online blocks via Zoom and/or Teams.

Face to face meetings will take place at SWEDA HQ in Shepton Mallet, Somerset.

 "The course so far has been brilliant. It is informative and the balance between tutoring, self-explorations, videos and worksheets is great for keeping me engaged and guiding my further learning at home."

"The course is fantastic and all the tutors are approachable and knowledgeable."

"Both tutors are brilliant. They complement each other well and have gone above and beyond to support us."

"I feel very supported and encouraged."

"The tutors were extremely knowledgeable and approachable.”

What is the course cost and how do I pay?

 The cost of the course is £1200 plus the CPCAB registration fee which is around £250.

You will need to pay a deposit of £500 when offered a place to secure your place. The balance must then be paid by the time the course begins.

We prefer payment by Bank Transfer and details will be provided on offer of a place; other arrangements can be discussed on a case by case basis. 

How much time will this course take me?

The course will need a considerable time investment outside of the teaching sessions. There are assignments to complete each month which must be completed to a Level 6 standard and will need research and as well as writing. You will need to complete some learning reviews, note writing and other, smaller reflection exercises. There will be pre-reading and research for each weekend. This equates to roughly 10 additional hours per week or 40 hours between each teaching session. 

Who are SWEDA?

SWEDA is the South & West's charity for people affected by eating disorders. We have over 30 years' expertise in supporting people our local community as they navigate recovery. We provide counselling, support groups, recovery support, schools outreach, nutritional support, a helpline, support for parents and carers, and training for professionals. 

Will this course qualify me to work with eating disorders? 

There are no recognised qualifications to say you are competent to work with eating disorders so each practitioner needs to work within their own competencies and in line with their ethical framework. This course is not designed to enable you to work with very unwell people who need a multidisciplinary approach, medical oversight and potentially an inpatient setting. However, the course should equip you to make good decisions and work with people who could benefit from a counselling /psychotherapy approach. 

What does the course cover?
The course covers a range of topics including:

• What is an eating disorder?
• Causes of eating disorders
• The different types of eating disorder
• Disordered eating and other eating difficulties
• Some of the treatments for eating disorders and how we can use them in a counselling setting
• Body Image and the diet and weight loss industry
• Safe practice including ethics, assessments, working with others
• Diversity issues in eating disorder work
• Nutritional concerns and how we manage these
• Space to explore our own relationships with food and eating and reflect on what we bring to the work
• We aim to cover a specific list of competencies and assessment criteria and shape our teaching and activities to achieve these. 
  
  

How will I be assessed?

You will need to complete various tasks and assignments throughout the course and contribute to learning activities in teaching sessions. You’ll be asked to complete a Final Assessment Case Study and present it to your peers. Additionally, you will need to complete:

• Ongoing learning reviews and reflections from the course
• A portfolio of evidence to show how you have met the assessment criteria
• A series of assignments across the course including an essay, a poster and various reflection exercises. 

Do I need any eating disorder experience?

No previous experience of working with eating disorders is required to apply to this course. When applying to the course, we ask you to reflect on your interest in this specialist area including any personal experiences of disordered eating or supporting a loved one with an eating disorder.

Can I do the course if I've had an eating disorder myself? 

Yes you can! We welcome people who have experienced an eating disorder as we feel you can bring your own experience to the work. However, we do ask that you are in stable recovery. We may ask you about this when you apply. The course may not be suitable for those who are currently experiencing moderate to severer mental health conditions without appropriate professional support including an eating disorder or disordered eating.