Level 5 Diploma in Family Counselling
This course is for counsellors who already hold a counselling qualification (Level 4 and above) and who want to expand their practice to include working with families. It does not qualify you to offer couple counselling, and unless you hold an additional relevant qualification, it does not qualify you to work with families with children under 18.
The course includes exploration of:
- what constitutes a family
- the differences between family counselling and other forms of counselling
- typical presenting issues
- working safely, ethically and legally with families
- assessments and contracting with families
- systemic, psychodynamic and solution focused brief therapies
- power dynamics, roles and responsibilities
- family life stages
- age-appropriate interventions
- diversity including neurodiversity
- the impact of wider systems
- working with blended families
- working creatively
The course will include taught sessions, large/small group discussions, application of taught material to case studies, and experiential exercises including goldfish bowls, skills practice and family sculpts.
Students are required to be in placement with a suitable supervisor to closely monitor their work. You will need to acquire xx family counselling hours over the duration of the course.
The course will be assessed through tutor observation, peer observation and four assignments.
Once the course has been completed, counsellors will be able to work with:
- Communication difficulties, including conflict
- Relationship ruptures
- Adaptation to change, including life stage change
- Boundary negotiation
- Neurodiverse presentations
- Challenges associated with blending families
Counsellors will not be able to work with:
- Families with young people aged between 8 and 18 (unless they hold an additional qualification in working with young people e.g. Level 5 Diploma in Counselling Adolescents)
- Families where there is active or historical domestic abuse
- Families with children under the age of 8
- Families going through court proceedings related to custody
- Couples experiencing relationship issues
- Certain specialist presentations such as severe trauma, eating disorders or addictions
Course Details
- Start date: 17 September 2026
- Session times: 9:00 – 13:00
- Session venue: Yateley
- Contact hours: 92 hours
- Entrance requirements: A minimum of Level 4 Diploma or equivalent in counselling and 100 counselling hours
- Course Cost: £2000 (£1900 if you register for the course before 1st June 2026)
- Awarding Body: Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB)
Handbook
Application Form
Once you have completed your application form please return to 121@hartvolaction.org.uk’
Contact Counselling Services:
Tel 01252 815652 (selection Counselling Services option) or email 121@hartvolaction.org.uk
