BACP Accredited Course. Equivalent to a Level 4/5.
If you have completed the TAC Foundation Certificate in Counselling, or an equivalent certificate in counselling, and are looking to qualify as a professional counsellor, our BACP Accredited Diploma in Integrative Counselling offers a clear path to professional practice. This part-time, face-to-face comprehensive course runs over two years and is equivalent to Level 4/5.
You’ll be guided and mentored by expert tutors and explore a wide range of approaches to counselling, including Gestalt, Existential, Person Centred, Psychodynamic, Object Relations, Solution Focused, Transactional Analysis, and Transpersonal. As part of your training, you’ll also gain valuable clinical experience through an in-house counselling placement within The Awareness Centre’s NHS and Low-Cost counselling services. Learn more about our placements.
Our next courses start in January 2027. Courses can become oversubscribed and so we encourage early enrolment.
Diploma in Counselling Benefits:
All of our courses at TAC Training School are designed and run by specialists in the field. The Diploma in Integrative Counselling course allows those with a Foundation Certificate in Counselling, or an equivalent certificate in counselling from another training institute, to further their qualifications and train as a professional counsellor.
With our Integrative Counselling Diploma, you will:
- Become qualified to work as a counsellor through face-to-face teaching
- Study a BACP Accredited Diploma in Counselling Course. Successful graduates of BACP accredited courses can apply to join the BACP Register directly without having to sit the Certificate of Proficiency.
- Learn about a range of humanistic, psychodynamic, and solution-focused approaches and how they apply within Petrūska Clarkson’s five-relationship model
- Have the option to apply for an in-house counselling placement at The Awareness Centre, or an external placement from our list of providers, where you will gain clinical experience
- Enhance your ability to provide both short and long-term therapy for a variety of presenting issues
- Become confident in developing and maintaining a therapeutic relationship with clients and making more informed choices about appropriate counselling interventions, especially with the support of your tutors and supervisors
- Develop awareness of conscious and unconscious motivators in counselling work
- Create and develop your own philosophy and approach to integrative counselling
- Deepen your personal development and get a better sense of yourself on the journey to becoming a qualified counsellor
Course Content Overview
The Diploma in Integrative Counselling is delivered in six modules across two years, which are designed to give you a comprehensive overview of becoming an integrative counsellor, how to develop a therapeutic relationship and how to integrate theory into practice by finding your own style as a therapist.
These modules include:
- A comprehensive curriculum taught via theory lectures, seminars and weekend workshops
- You’ll study Petrūska Clarkson’s relational model of therapy, which explores five facets of the therapeutic relationship:
- The working alliance
- The person-to-person or real relationship
- The transference/counter-transference relationship
- The developmentally needed or reparative relationship
- The transpersonal relationship
- Therapeutic skills sessions and personal and professional development work
- Opportunities for cultural, personal, group and theoretical reflection
- Education about a range of presenting issues, including addiction, anxiety and depression, loss, risk, transcultural issues, gender and sexuality and diagnosis and medication.
Skills Workshops
In addition to the course modules, we offer a series of twelve skills workshops over the two year training, each facilitated by an experienced practitioner in the field.
Module 1:
- Difference & Diversity
- Anxiety & Depression
Module 2:
- Working with Guilt & Shame
- Medication, Diagnoses and Multidisciplinary Team
Module 3:
- Suicide & Risk Assessment
- Working with Addiction
Module 4:
- Working with Gender and Sexuality
- Working with Transcultural Issues
Module 5:
- Neurodiversity
- Working with Loss and Bereavement
Module 6:
- Working with Dreams
- Preparing for Private Practice
Diploma in Counselling Course Assessment
The TAC Diploma in Integrative Counselling Course is assessed through a number of written assessments on top of personal therapy sessions and peer reviews. Your general progress and attendance will also be monitored on this course to ensure you have everything you need for your success in integrative counselling on completion of the course.
To complete the course you will be required to:
- Attend 80% of the training
- Demonstrate satisfactory progress in your ability to meet the demanding requirements of the course and your potential to carry out clinical work on placement
- Show development of theoretical understanding and growth/awareness in counselling skills practice, personal development and group process. This will be measured through self-assessment and feedback from your tutor and peers
- Complete and pass five written assignments (3,500 words each)
- Attend end-of-module tutorials
- Have 80 sessions of personal therapy with a qualified integrative practitioner
- Complete a minimum of 150 supervised clinical practice hours.
Please note that time commitment is around 20 hours per week.
Academic Writing Assistance (Optional)
TAC works with Ash Phipps to give students access to tuition in academic writing. Ash has 10 years’ experience teaching study skills strategies to students who want to develop their writing skills and specialises in SpLDs (dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, ADD, Autism).
For any further questions and fees, please call 020 3051 8235 or email training@theawarenesscentre.com
The Awareness Centre runs one of the biggest voluntary counselling placements in London. The Awareness Centre Training School students can apply for placements within our NHS Talking Therapies Services in Lambeth, Sutton and Wandsworth and at our Clapham and Tooting Centres within our Low Cost Counselling Service. These placements support students’ training, allowing them to develop their clinical experience working with clients on a short and long-term basis, face-to-face and online. Our placements include clinical supervision and indemnity insurance for students.
We also offer access to a comprehensive list of external providers. Please note, some placement providers require students to apply for indemnity insurance.
Diploma in Counselling: Course FAQs
Is this course accredited by the BACP?
Yes, our Diploma in Integrative Counselling was accredited by BACP in May 2024. BACP is recognised as the leading accreditation body for training courses in counselling, so you can be confident that the course meets the highest professional standards.
Who does the teaching?
We ensure that all of our tutors are experienced counselling professionals. During the Diploma in Counselling course, you will attend face-to-face skills workshops and lectures provided by our specialist faculty members. We strive to provide you with the most valuable training experience possible. Find out more about the faculty here.
Who can apply for the Diploma in Integrative Counselling course?
Those who have previously completed the TAC Foundation Certificate in Counselling or an equivalent Certificate with another training organisation.
When does the Diploma in Integrative Counselling Course start?
This is a two-year, part-time course plus two one-day weekend workshops per term at one of our training locations in Clapham, Nine Elms and Tooting, South London. This overall training makes up 450+ guided learning hours over two years. We have intakes starting every April and September, so there is always a course available to suit you.
When can I enrol on the Diploma in Integrative Counselling?
Our intakes start every September and April, so there is always availability for students wishing to enrol. Please complete the online enrolment form and a member of the training team will be in touch to discuss options and next steps.
What is an integrative approach in counselling?
An integrative approach to counselling involves looking beyond typical counselling perspectives and helping clients to learn more about the deep-rooted causes of their issues. During the course we will study different therapy models to give students a wide-reaching overview of varying specialist perspectives.
How much time can I expect to give to the course?
Taking into account background reading, attending lectures, workshops and personal therapy, as well as clinical work and supervision, you can expect the course to take up to 20 hours per week.
What’s involved in the enrolment process?
Submit the online enrolment form, which includes a personal statement. You will then be invited to an online interview with a senior member of the Training School team. The interview is structured to give all students a similar experience. You will be asked questions to ensure that you have a secure grounding in counselling skills, as well as the time availability and emotional maturity to be able to commit to making the course a success.
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions about the training process, our team is here to answer them – big or small. Don’t hesitate to call us!
Diploma in Counselling Courses
Courses can become oversubscribed, so we encourage early enrolment. Places on each intake will be offered to applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.
Our September 2026 courses are now full. View term dates.
Evening Course January 2027 – December 2028
Tuesdays, for two years
- Dates: 5th January 2027 – 12th December 2028
- Time: Tuesdays 17:30 – 22:00
- Location: TAC Tooting
- Fee: Year 1 – £4,875, Year 2 – £4,875
All classes take place in CLAPHAM from 5.30pm until 10pm unless stated otherwise. Please note dates and venue are subject to change.
2027 | TUESDAY | SATURDAY | SUNDAY |
Course Induction | 05 January | ||
09 January | 10 January | ||
Week 1 | 12 January | ||
Week 2 | 19 January | ||
Week 3 | 26 January | ||
WORKSHOP- WORKING WITH DIFFERENCE & DIVERSITY COMPULSORY | 31 January | ||
Week 4 | 02 February | ||
Week 5 | 09 February | ||
Week 6 | 23 February | ||
WORKSHOP – WORKING WITH ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION | 28 February | ||
Week 7 | 02 March | ||
Week 8 | 09 March | ||
Week 9 | 16 March | ||
Week 10 | 23 March | ||
MODULE 2 | TUESDAY | SATURDAY | SUNDAY |
Week 11 | 13 April | ||
Week 12 | 20 April | 24 April | 25 April |
Week 13 | 27 April | ||
Week 14 | 04 May | ||
Week 15 | 11 May | ||
WORKSHOP – DIAGNOSIS AND MEDICATION | 16 May | ||
Week 16 | 18 May | ||
Week 17 | 25 May | ||
Week 18 | 08 June | ||
Week 19 | 15 June | ||
WORKSHOP – WORKING WITH GUILT AND SHAME | 20 June | ||
Week 20 | 22 June | ||
Week 21 | 29 June | 03 July | 04 July |
Week 22 | 06 July | ||
Week 23 | 13 July | ||
Week 24 | 20 July | ||
Week 25 | 27 July | ||
MODULE 3 | TUESDAY | SATURDAY | SUNDAY |
Week 26 | 14 September | ||
Week 27 | 21 September | 25 September | 26 September |
Week 28 | 28 September | ||
Week 29 | 05 October | ||
Week 30 | 12 October | ||
WORKSHOP – SUICIDE AND RISK | 17 October | ||
Week 31 | 19 October | ||
Week 32 | 02 November | ||
Week 33 | 09 November | ||
WORKSHOP – WORKING WITH GENDER & SEXUALITY | 14 November | ||
Week 34 | 16 November | ||
Week 35 | 23 November | ||
Week 36 | 30 November | ||
Week 37 | 07 December | ||
Week 38 | 14 December | ||
2028 | |||
MODULE 4 | TUESDAY | SATURDAY | SUNDAY |
Week 39 | 04 January | ||
Week 40 | 11 January | ||
WORKSHOP – WORKING WITH TRANSCULTURAL ISSUES | 16 January | ||
Week 41 | 18 January | ||
Week 42 | 25 January | ||
Week 43 | 01 February | ||
Week 44 | 08 February | ||
Week 45 | 22 February | ||
Week 46 | 29 February | 04 March | 05 March |
Week 47 | 07 March | ||
Week 48 | 14 March | ||
WORKSHOP – WORKING WITH ADDICTION | 19 March | ||
Week 49 | 21 March | ||
Week 50 | 28 March | ||
Week 51 | 04 April | ||
MODULE 5 | TUESDAY | SATURDAY | SUNDAY |
Week 52 | 25 April | ||
WORKSHOP – NEURODIVERSITY | 30 April | ||
Week 53 | 02 May | ||
Week 54 | 09 May | ||
Week 55 | 16 May | 20 May | 21 May |
Week 56 | 23 May | ||
Week 57 | 06 June | ||
Week 58 | 13 June | ||
WORKSHOP – WORKING WITH LOSS & BEREAVEMENT | 18 June | ||
Week 59 | 20 June | ||
Week 60 | 27 June | ||
Week 61 | 04 July | ||
Week 62 | 11 July | ||
Week 63 | 18 July | ||
Week 64 | 25 July | ||
MODULE 6 | TUESDAY | SATURDAY | SUNDAY |
Week 65 | 19 September | ||
WORKSHOP – WORKING WITH DREAMS | 24 September | ||
Week 66 | 26 September | ||
Week 67 | 03 October | ||
Week 68 | 10 October | 14 October | 15 October |
Week 69 | 17 October | ||
Week 70 | 31 October | ||
Week 71 | 07 November | ||
WORKSHOP – PREPARING PRIVATE PRACTICE | 12 November | ||
Week 72 | 14 November | ||
Week 73 | 21 November | ||
Week 74 | 28 November | ||
Week 75 | 05 December | ||
Week 76 | 12 December |
Daytime Course January 2027 – November 2028
Thursdays, for two years
- Dates: 7th January – 30th November 2028
- Time: Thursdays 09:00 – 17:00
- Location: TAC Tooting
- Fee: Year 1 – £4,875, Year 2 – £4,875
All classes take place in TOOTING from 9am until 5pm unless stated otherwise. Please note dates and venue are subject to change.
2027 | THURSDAY | SATURDAY |
Course Induction | 07 January | |
Week 1 | 14 January | |
Week 2 | 21 January | |
Week 3 | 28 January | |
WORKSHOP – WORKING WITH DIFFERENCE & DIVERSITY COMPULSORY | 30 January | |
Week 4 | 04 February | |
Week 5 | 11 February | |
Week 6 | 25 February | |
Week 7 | 04 March | |
Week 8 | 11 March | |
Week 9 | 18 March | |
WORKSHOP – WORKING WITH ANXIETY & DEPRESSION | 20 March | |
Week 10 | 25 March | |
MODULE 2 | THURSDAY | SATURDAY |
Week 11 | 22 April | |
Week 12 | 29 April | |
Week 13 | 06 May | |
Week 14 | 13 May | |
WORKSHOP – DIAGNOSIS & MEDICATION | 15 May | |
Week 15 | 20 May | |
Week 16 | 27 May | |
Week 17 | 10 June | |
Week 18 | 17 June | |
Week 19 | 24 June | |
WORKSHOP – WORKING WITH GUILT & SHAME | 26 June | |
Week 20 | 01 July | |
MODULE 3 | THURSDAY | SATURDAY |
Week 21 | 23 September | |
Week 22 | 30 September | |
Week 23 | 07 October | |
Week 24 | 14 October | |
WORKSHOP – SUICIDE & RISK ASSESSMENT | 16 October | |
Week 25 | 21 October | |
Week 26 | 04 November | |
Week 27 | 11 November | |
WORKSHOP – WORKING WITH GENDER & SEXUALITY | 13 November | |
Week 28 | 18 November | |
Week 29 | 25 November | |
Week 30 | 02 December | |
MODULE 4 | THURSDAY | SATURDAY |
Week 31 | 06 January | |
Week 32 | 13 January | |
WORKSHOP – WORKING WITH TRANSCULTURAL ISSUES | 15 January | |
Week 33 | 20 January | |
Week 34 | 27 January | |
Week 35 | 03 February | |
Week 36 | 10 February | |
Week 37 | 02 March | |
Week 38 | 09 March | |
Week 39 | 16 March | |
WORKSHOP – WORKING WITH ADDICTION | 18 March | |
Week 40 | 23 March | |
MODULE 5 | THURSDAY | SATURDAY |
Week 41 | 20 April | |
Week 42 | 27 April | |
WORKSHOP – NEURODIVERSITY | 29 April | |
Week 43 | 04 May | |
Week 44 | 11 May | |
Week 45 | 18 May | |
Week 46 | 08 June | |
Week 47 | 15 June | |
WORKSHOP – WORKING WITH LOSS & BEREAVEMENT | 17 June | |
Week 48 | 22 June | |
Week 49 | 29 June | |
Week 50 | 06 July | |
MODULE 6 | THURSDAY | SATURDAY |
Week 51 | 21 September | |
WORKSHOP – WORKING WITH DREAMS | 23 September | |
Week 52 | 28 September | |
Week 53 | 05 October | |
Week 54 | 12 October | |
Week 55 | 19 October | |
Week 56 | 02 November | |
Week 57 | 09 November | |
WORKSHOP – PREPARING PRIVATE PRACTICE | 11 November | |
Week 58 | 16 November | |
Week 59 | 23 November | |
Week 60 | 30 November |
Payment options
Full payment: Initial deposit of £500 required on course agreement. Balance payment £9250. Total – £9,750
Yearly payment: Year 1 – Initial deposit of £500 required on course agreement. Balance payment £4375. Year 2 – Full payment £4875. Total – £9,750
Monthly payment: Initial deposit of £500 required on course agreement. 24 x monthly instalments of £415 by direct debit. Total – £10,460. (This increased fee includes administration costs).
All fees are inclusive of 20% VAT. Deposits are non-refundable. Your statutory rights remain unaffected and are detailed in the contract you will receive upon enrolment.
Course Fee Excludes:
- Course Supervision (12 x Group and Individual): £75/mth, payable to your TAC Course Supervisor.
- Student BACP Membership registration – £92 a year.
- Personal Therapy – varies depending on Therapist.
- Some placement providers require students to apply for indemnity insurance. We include indemnity insurance for students on placement with The Awareness Centre’s low cost and NHS counselling services.
If you have any questions, give us a call to talk through course and payment plans on 020 3051 8235.
FIND OUT MORE
If you would like any further information about the Diploma in Counselling, please contact the Training School team at training@theawarenesscentre.com or call 020 3051 8235.
The Tutors
Click on the profiles below to learn more about our Diploma in Integrative Counselling tutors.
Mandy Wax – Lead Diploma Tutor
Ben Dustin – Diploma Tutor
Steve Henfrey – Lead Foundation Tutor/Diploma Tutor
Dr Soumitra Burman-Roy – Visiting Diploma Tutor
Amy Launder – Visiting Diploma Tutor
Dr Catherine Wilson – Visiting Diploma Tutor
Eleni Henderson – Visiting Diploma Tutor
Mirek Polanowski – Diploma Tutor
Sam Hughes – Lead Diploma Tutor
Bonny Allyson – Diploma Tutor
Domenica Stilwell – Head of Teaching/Lead Diploma Tutor/Course Supervisor
Ash Phipps – Study Skills Tutor
ShediYah HatNebMaoo – Lead Diploma Tutor/Course Supervisor
Michael McLinn – Diploma Tutor
Carl Barge – Lead Diploma Tutor
Josh Brostoff – Lead Diploma Tutor
Charlene Birmingham – Lead Diploma Tutor
Gareth Sammer – Diploma Tutor
Phil Norbury – Diploma Tutor
Frankie Johnson – Visiting Diploma Tutor
John Gillespie – Diploma Tutor
Mary-Claire Wilson – Lead Diploma Tutor
Tim Frost – Lead Diploma Tutor
Dipti Solanki – Head of Teaching/Lead Diploma Tutor
Oana Coman – Diploma Tutor
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions about the training process, our team is here to answer them – big or small. Don’t hesitate to call us!
Student Reviews
Students on our Diploma in Integrative Counselling students have provided some great feedback on what developing your counselling skills can be like at The Awareness Centre. Read about their experience at The Awareness Centre Training School.
I have completed the first module of the Diploma in Integrative Counselling at the Awareness Centre (TAC). I have enjoyed the module very much, and have learned a lot. I particularly appreciate the variety of teaching methods TAC use. It’s a good mix of presentations, small and large group discussion,…
Studying the Diploma course has given me real confidence in my counselling skills. There are so many opportunities on the course for personal and professional growth within a safe and encouraging environment. The course content is progressive and structured in a way that you can fit it around other commitments. The tutors,…
I have been very happy with the quality of teaching and the support I have received from the team at The Awareness Centre so far, as a student on the Foundation in Counselling Course in 2020 and now the first year of the Diploma in Integrative Counselling. I particularly resonated…
I have grown so much as an individual, training with The Awareness Centre. I am becoming more confident every week, in my journey to becoming a therapist. I love it.
I started at The Awareness Centre in April and so far it has been a good experience, overall. The Tutors are approachable and very knowledgeable in their respective fields, providing appropriate support to the Trainees. The fact that they are in practice is great as they are able to give…
I am delighted so far that I selected The Awareness Centre for my Diploma training as a counsellor. I believe the course is very well structured; the tutors experienced and knowledgeable. Looking forward to continuing this journey.
I was a bit hesitant applying for this course as I did not know the institute too well. So far, finishing my first term, I have really enjoyed it! I particularly like the practical approach the course has. There are a lot of group discussions and opportunities to express different…
I am currently studying for the Diploma in Integrative Counselling. So far, my training at TAC has been insightful and rewarding . The theory sessions are thought provoking. The skills and process sessions are helping to facilitate more self awareness. I look forward to continuing on this journey to becoming…
My journey through this program has been transformative and I cannot recommend it highly enough. The Awareness Centre is committed to providing a high-quality and comprehensive education in counselling. The program is thoughtfully designed, covering many theoretical approaches and practical skills, this is equipping me to become a well-rounded and…
I found the Gestalt therapeutic model very much inline with my idea of a healthy soul. It takes a holistic approach to mental health and well being. My theory tutor Patrizia was very good in teaching this model. I found her warm and pleasant. She was also very patient and…
Mirek is a fine teacher. He is highly experienced; insightful, thought-provoking and calm. He also encouraged much individual self-reflection as well as ongoing discussion and debate within our group. All in all he provided a memorable, positive and exciting safe space for learning. Thank you Mirek.
The Awareness Centre offers unique opportunities for students, including; course supervision, weekend workshops delivered by experienced practitioners, and the option to apply for a placement within the NHS. The Diploma is well structured with a good balance of theory, skills practice, and whole group processing, which is facilitated by the…
I really valued the quality and variety of teaching at TAC, each of our tutors brought a combination of theoretical insight and practical experience to support our learning.
I have had a good experience at The Awareness Centre as a student for the last two years and in placement with the Low Cost Counselling Service for the last year. What started on a bit of a hope and prayer has now come to pass and I am finishing…
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions about the training process, our team is here to answer them – big or small. Don’t hesitate to call us!