Counselling, Brief Therapies & FULLY QUALIFIED Psychotherapy  

Main Evening Courses attended in College Term dates - week nights between 6pm - 9.45pm  (10.30pm for Diplomas including peer supervision).

‘Introduction’ Level-1. 12 weeks.

CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE.

ONLY RECOGNISED IN UK WHEN FULLY CLASSROOM ATTENDED OVER THE COURSE.

Start at the beginning.  Our Fees make it easy for you to start and learn first hand Counselling Skills and basic theory.

You will learn the theory around the History of Counselling and how to apply it today.

Training is in the Humanistic Integrative stream to give you the best experiential start to a new career. Find out how to use basic Counselling Skills.

This Recognised course at CTEC Level-1 qualifies you to begin the Improvers CTEC Level-2 course, for the more serious students.

You may access this course as distance learning for interest sake only. Click here for CONVERGENCE ONLINE. Note: Prices cheaper for distance learning online.

These courses are approximately equivalent to the NVQ levels. CTEC = CPFI Technical. We are Organisational Members of the CPFI & BACP.

WE ARE ORGANISATIONAL MEMBERS of the CPFI & BACP.

COME AND TURN YOUR LIFE AROUND…

‘IMPROVER’ Level-2. 20 WEEKS.

CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE.

ONLY RECOGNISED IN UK WHEN FULLY CLASSROOM ATTENDED OVER THE COURSE.

The Improvers level Counselling course over 6 Calendar months, For Counselling theory and skills. Easy to fit in with normal life.

Recognised courses. Students may then apply for CPFI student membership on completion of the course requirements. CTEC Level-2 to access Level-3. 

These courses are approximately equivalent to NVQ levels.

You will now be on your way to a CTEC Level-3 Certificate and the possibility of the offer of work in a carers role or a job appreciating these life skills. Start right from the beginning…

You may access this course as distance learning for interest sake only Click here for CONVERGENCE ONLINE. Note Prices cheaper for distance learning online.

These courses are set approximately equivalent to the ‘A‘ Levels at prior NVQ Level-3. CTEC = CPFI Technical. Organisational Members of the CPFI & BACP.

WE ARE ORGANISATIONAL MEMBERS of the CPFI & BACP.

‘Intermediate’ Foundation. level-3 or Level-4 available 1 Year Part-Time

Click HERE FOR ONLINE.

ONLY RECOGNISED IN UK WHEN FULLY CLASSROOM ATTENDED OVER THE COURSE.

Preparation for the Diploma CTEC Level-4. Counselling & Psychotherapy Certificated and Accredited Course. Qualify on this Foundation by attending one evening per week for 3 Terms. For serious minded students who wish to complete a Diploma and become a qualified basic Counsellor.  Wednesday evenings (Term times) from 6pm until 10.pm.

A Recognised course fully classroom attended. Students may desire CPFI Registration for accessibility to all of our courses. You need credibility, which is important and you have that with CPFI Membership on graduation.

You may access this course as distance learning for interest sake and access all lectures by video and notes supplied. Click here for

CONVERGENCE ONLINE.:- . Note prices cheaper for distance learning online. These courses are set approximately equivalent to the ‘A‘ Levels at prior NVQ Level-3.

CTEC = CPFI Technical. ORGANISATIONAL MEMBERS of the CPFI & BACP.

STUDENT’S SAY IT CHANGES YOUR LIFE!

CTEC CPFI-TEC courses should not be confused with BTEC or Cambridge Tec courses. These titles onlys reflect the approximate level of previous NVQ's.

For more student information and to gain answers to your most obvious questions, please go to the FAQ section below...

 ORGanisational Members of the CPFI & BACP.

ALL DIPLOMA COURSES ARE RECOGNISED BY BACP AND CPFI.

2/3 YEAR DIPLOMA IN COUNSELLING. CTEC LEVEL-4, - VOCATIONAL TRAINING Levels.

BASIC Counsellor LEVEL-4.

PART-TIME EVENING CLASSES

FAST TRACKING - FULL TIME AVAILABLE.

ONLY RECOGNISED OFFICIALLY WHEN FULLY CLASSROOM ATTENDED OVER THE COURSE & COMPLETION OF THE FOUNDATION COURSE at Level-4 Covering 480 hours classroom attendance.

Accredited by the CPFI membership org.

YOU MAY ALSO SPECIALISE IN MANY FIELDS GOING FORWARD, LIKE; SUBSTANCE ABUSE I ADDICTIONS I BEREAVEMENT I COUPLES I FAMILY I CHILDREN I ABUSE I SPIRITUALITY I ADOLESCENTS I CBT I OR TRAUMA.

This Diploma will  qualify you as a ‘Basic Counsellor’, so that you may gain public liability insurance and work as a fully qualified Counsellor. You may then specialise if you wish.

The Diploma is fully Accredited by the CPFI. This CTEC certification is set at the equivalency of the prior NVQ levels.  We will help you to gain experience as a counsellor on this very experiential course with our sister charitable organisation the ‘NEWSTART’ placement facility in Milton Keynes.

Other Colleges have utilised our placement facilities for their students. We also run a private practice for our high achieving graduates. We are also looking for potential future teacher/trainer/supervisors too.

Come and achieve Counsellor status and recognition with the CPFI.  1st Yr Tuesday / 2nd Year Thursday eve course - 6pm - 10.00pm.

CTEC = CPFI Tec. WE ARE ORGANISATIONAL MEMBERS OF THE CPFI & BACP. These are therefore Recognised courses.

2 YR Advanced DIPLOMA IN COUNSELLING. CTEC LEVEL-5 - VOCATIONAL TRAINING Levels.

ADVANCED COUNSELLOR LEVEL-5

PART TIME EVENING classes.

ONLY RECOGNISED HERE WHEN FULLY CLASSROOM ATTENDED OVER THE COURSE.

This Recognised Professional Diploma will qualify you for 'Psychotherapeutic Counsellor' status at CTEC Level-5, once you are accredited by the CPFI. membership Org.

Requirements: Students will usually hold a 1st degree and equivalent Counselling experience, also must have at least completed their Level-4.

One evening per week 6pm - 10.15, plus 2 Saturday Seminars 10.30am - 5pm.

Specialisation available - please ask for details. Students may desire CPFI / BACP Registration, therefore examination is only arranged after graduation. 

CTEC Level-5 approximately equivalent to prior NVQ Levels.

Supervision course is also available to all of our graduates.

We also offer One Day Certificated Courses, as CPD Seminars that gain you 6 hours of CPD each one.

CTEC = CPFI Tec. WE ARE ORGANISATIONAL MEMBER OF THE CPFI & BACP.

All Nationally Recognised courses.

All Diploma Courses may be able to FAST TRACK - equivalent to Full Time Study. You may advance faster.

4 Year professional Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy CTEC Level-6/7. VOCATIONAL TRAINING Levels.

PART TIME, EVENING classes.

FAST TRACKING - FULL TIME AVAILABLE.

ONLY RECOGNISED HERE WHEN FULLY CLASSROOM ATTENDED OVER THE COURSE .

Fees Partly Subsidised on 1st and 2nd years, Rising on 3rd to the maximum on the 4th Year.

550 + Hours, 750 Client hours, 150 Personal Therapy hrs, plus DSM-5 Training & Clinical Placement.

Students will need to be able to work at a post graduate level to attend this recognised ‘Professional in Psychotherapy’, - 4 Year Professional Diploma in Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy.  Ask of Fast Track Is Available

This will give you Qualified ‘Psychotherapist’   status, with the CPFI, once you are accredited. Requirements: Completion of the Level-3 Foundation course with high level marks, or a minimum Uni 1st Degree, or an equivalent work/life experience in other related fields.

One evening per week 6pm-10.15pm. Also 8 x various One day Seminars spread over 4 years.

Please book an appointment for an assessment to undertake this 4 Year Professional study. Graduates may be given opportunity to join our private practice in CMK.

All CTEC certifications are approximately equivalent to the prior NVQ levels and are non-degree levels. NOTE: This is a highly skilled and recognised 4 Year Professional Diploma. Access to Masters Level-7.

CTEC = CPFI Tec. Organisational Members of the CPFI & BACP.

Frequently asked questions for students…

Q. When may I work as a volunteer welcomer-befriender, or student counsellor?

Ans. Once you have completed a course of study at Convergence and graduated at our CTEC Level-2 awarded by CPFI at student counselling status or higher and completed a short induction course, you may become a welcomer/befriender at the NEWSTART Minibus placement in CMK. To become a student counsellor you will need to be on a recognised course at Level-4 or above. Other agencies may not allow you to work in counselling until CTEC Level-5.

See Coordinator: Yoly Booty for further details about volunteering at NEWSTART.

Q. When will I be QUALIFIED to work as a Qualified Counsellor?

Ans. To work with the general public validly and ethically as a qualified counsellor, you need to

1.  First - Graduate from an institution running a proper regulated course of study in counselling at Diploma Level-4 with qualified tutors, who must by law, have passed the proficiency test and be registered with an awarding body (CPFI and/or BACP). Example:-

2. Be covered by personal public liability insurance with a current certificate as proof (All our graduates are insured through the CPFI).

3. Be prepared to follow the ethics of the CPFI/BACP and continue in ‘supervision’, attending for at least 'one and a half hours' per month.

4. Convergence students need to be CRB/DBS Police checked and certificated before placements are engaged.

Q. What does it mean to be QUALIFIED as a ‘Counsellor’?

Ans. This means that you need to be a graduate of a training College organisation which needs to be regulated and recognised by an awarding body (such as the CPFI/BACP/UKCP) and have been examined at the level required, which in our College, is at on Level-3 and above, by the awarding body (CPFI) and taken a proficiency test with our Convergence College, validated by the CPFI. Police Checked and Insured. Alternatively a test may also taken with BACP.

Q. What is Accreditation with CPFI or BACP?

Ans. You may not apply to CPFI or BACP for accreditation until you have the following evidence of your training level and experience carried out.

A.    Attendance records on a full time or part time course, with a minimum of 450 hours of tutor contact (as required at Convergence College) , covering;

B.     Evidence of CORE MOdules covered and this includes; Full Theory, Skills Practice, Professional Development / Ethics, Personal Development which must evidence a minimum of 150 hours of personal therapy whilst in training and further completed client and supervision hours after qualification.

C.     Been in practice for at least 3 years after gaining a qualification in counselling or psychotherapy.

D.     A minimum of 450 hours supervised placement of contracted work with clients / patients.

E.     Been in supervision for a minimum of 1.5 hours per month.

F.     Record of Personal Professional Development since qualifying.

G.    The cost of accreditation with CPFI is £175 and is currently £230 with BACP and additional course work has to be completed in both awarding bodies at time of writing.

H.    Covered by adequate Public Liability insurance (usually at least 5 Million cover).

Q.  What do agencies offering student placements require?

Ans. Therefore a student must be able to demonstrate and produce evidence of studying on a recognised (by the training attendance hours, levels, etc) counselling and/or psychotherapy course. Any agency offering placements should conduct their own assessment of a student’s ability and training skill levels to decide if they are suitable for the agency placement.  It is the agencies responsibility to also ensure you have all the necessary paperwork in place that follows ethical practice to support you as a student while on placement. There are no guarantees that agencies will place or support students from any institutions, it is always at their own discretion. Therefore we cannot offer any guarantee of acceptance for students.

Q.  Is there a list of agencies for student placements?

Ans.  Although we usually supply a list of suggested agencies who offer placements, this is in no way exhaustive or guaranteed as acceptance for any students. It is the student’s own responsibility, as a trainee professional, to find their own placement, this is particularly relevant if their training course does not provide one, but in our case, we provide an adequate  placement.  

Further placements may be sought by Convergence Students, but it is the students own responsibility to find and to gain acceptance and negotiate suitable terms for any placement. Students must also submit Convergence College agency placement contract paperwork, (supplied on request) also duly signed by the placement Agency Manager and the Supervisor covering the clinical placement before the placement is considered for acceptance as a suitable placement by Convergence College. It needs to be of the skills level and relevancy of the client work carried out, for our training requirements, if it is to be accepted by the College Supervisor/Head Tutor and/or Directorate of Convergence College and considered suitable to be counted as relevant skills experience (as valid), acceptable client hours and therefore accepted as a part of the 4 Year Professional Diploma course.

Q.  Do I need to be a member of the BACP or is the CPFI enough as student?

Ans.  You do not need to be a member of the BACP as a student, although you do need to comply with the ethics of both the BACP and the CPFI.  However, you do need to be a student member of the CPFI, as a professional in training with CPFI, within counselling & psychotherapy.  All students here at Convergence recognise the importance of regulation and ethics procedures by the CPFI, as this is our current awarding body for the various courses we offer and accredits the certification licensing that we issue to graduates.

Students may also join the BACP if they so wish. At student level we find no advantage in paying out more money than is necessary so we dissuade students until after graduation.

Students of Convergence ought to be able to apply not only to the CPFI, but also to the BACP for student membership without problems, as other students have gained membership in the past due to the fact that our courses are recognised as accredited courses by the CPFI and the fact that the Tutors are Registered Members of the BACP. However, membership as a student, or as a graduate, cannot be guaranteed with the CPFI or the BACP, but is solely at the discretion of the relevant awarding or regulating body applied to, there are strict codes of conduct that need to be adhered to, particularly with reference to professionalism and ethics. Example you must not have any criminal convictions. We had to refuse a student who applied to the NEWSTART agency and to the College recently, who was rejected by the CPFI so we have no way of knowing any outcome.

Q.  What is the CPFI?

Ans.  The CPFI stands for the Central Professional Foundation & Institute The CPFI is an awarding body and regulatory institution for research, validation and they duly accredit organisations and institutions, etc. The CPFI validates our Convergence College courses. And as our tutors/assistant tutors are practising professional therapists, they are all fully registered and compliant with awarding bodies (BACP and / or CPFI), we are completely legitimate as a College.

Q.  What do I need to know about further study at Convergence College or elsewhere?

Ans.  Students wishing to study at Ma, or MSc, or even higher (Doctorate) will need to demonstrate (by previous education levels, or life, or work experience) to the Institute / Uni that they are applying to, that they are competent to study and to pass at that post graduate level of work. It is also possible in some Universities to negotiate acceptance to start an Ma degree without a first degree, if you have life/work experience or equivalent studies. Example: One Psychotherapist that we know, was accepted in recent years, to study, first at Ba Degree level in Theology, next at Ba (Honours) degree in Laws and a Master’s Degree level in Integrative Psychotherapy without a first degree. Previous education or life experience counts and if you are confident you are able to work at graduate or post degree level. Did you know Professor Erik Erikson did not hold a first degree, he only held two undergraduate Higher Diplomas.

Q.  What level is the Convergence 4 Year Professional Diploma?

Ans.  Because this training is not simply in counselling, or even at advanced counselling / psychotherapeutic counselling level, but our ‘Master in Psychotherapy’ 4 Year Professional Diploma is a recognised Independent Higher Education Professional Psychotherapy qualification, and therefore is set at a much higher level of academic work and experience, and in this case you must work at a post graduate level to complete this course and includes a requirement to complete 5 academic papers, a personal profile, 150 hours of personal therapy and 650 supervised client hours, a psychotherapy project and two large case studies along with training in the DSVM clinical psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.

Q.  What level of education is required to apply for the 4-Year Professional Diploma?

Ans.  We would suggest that the Professional diploma is not applied for unless you have a first degree or equivalent life/work experience and that you start the Level-3 ‘Foundation 1 Year Certificated course, or if totally inexperienced, the Level-1.

We need to ensure that all students have a first degree or are able to demonstrate their ability to work at this higher level for Psychotherapy graduate training.  Our 4 year professional diploma does not need to carry a post graduate university award for psychotherapy.  This Professional Diploma, is at an industry standard of over 450 attended classroom tutor hours, where students are expected to work at a the higher post graduate training level. You are professional psychotherapists in training, after all.

Q. What are the requirements, for a student's Personal therapy, on the various courses?

Ans. For the Levels-1 to 3, you do not need to have personal therapy, although we would recommend it, especially on the Level-3 onwards or if you have real issues that need to be dealt with. In any case, personal therapy needs to be part of your overall plan of personal growth and development, if you wish to continue to study and become a professional Psychotherapist.  However, if you are studying with us at Diploma CTEC Levels-4 to 7, then you will need to be in therapy for a set number of hours whilst on the various courses. You will also find this info in our Diploma brochures for each level, and available to enquirers. 

And for the registered students of the Convergence 4 Year Professional Diploma only - Please see the student handbook for details below.

"Student handbook  for 4 year diploma states at section:  4. Personal Psychotherapy

You are required to be in your own personal psychotherapy, at a minimum rate of once a week for at least three years, starting at the beginning of your first year. You need to complete a minimum of 150 hours during the course. Any therapy you may have had before you start the course does not count, your therapist must be (a) professionally qualified, (b) include the spiritual/transpersonal perspective in the therapy, and (c) be approved by the course director or a senior tutor. Your personal psychotherapist cannot be your placement supervisor.

If at any time you take a break from therapy, stop your therapy or change your therapist, you must inform the Convergence College administration both verbally and in writing.

You will need to provide a letter of reference from your therapist confirming your hours at the end of each year. That letter will also need to include their qualifications if they have not been provided already. Students should not be in therapy with two different therapists at any given time.".

The student handbook mentions group therapy as an alternative as well, but not necessary to detail here.

Q. What are the requirements (for the various levels of Diploma) with regard to supervised client hours?

Ans. For Levels-1 to 3 (Intro, Intermediate & Foundation courses) there are no requirements for supervised hours. And again this is mentioned in the brochures for the different levels of diploma from Level-4 to 7. 

Please refer to the brochure for up to date information regarding hours required at Levels-4 & 5.

If you are a student on the 4 Year Professional Diploma you will need to familiarise yourself with the Student Handbook and ensure you understand the requirements. You will need to complete 450 hours of supervised normal face to face client hours and have prior completion of the 100 hours of befriending (welcoming) hours, previous to the main set, already mentioned.”. 

Q. What is the requirements about current Attendance Levels on the courses?

Ans.  Students must attend for 90% of the classroom studies each year on our Levels-3 to 6 courses, though we will allow 80% attendance, in extreme cases of personal compassionate leave, due to GP / Hospitalisation - certification of illness, or evidence of bereavement, or court attendance, or in child or relational violence/separation/divorce, or equivalent compassionate reasons.

You may attend and pay for extra make-up sessions, to gain the required 90% - 100% attendance shown in the Foundation course  and Diploma course brochures and 4 Year Student Handbook, but if students are unable to make up attendance to 80%  then students may need to complete the year again. We will negotiate the costs of fees involved.

NOTE: If a student wishes to complete the course and graduates and wishes to attend a second time on the courses, we currently allow this attendance at no extra costs involved.

Please Understand: Our aim is to assist students to complete courses and we will not withheld reasonable requests in case of hardship or compassionate reasons, so long as the training skills and theory material is covered comprehensively.

An outline of most of this information is found either in the brochures for the CTEC Levels-1 to 5, and/or within the info for the Convergence College - 4 Year Professional Diploma, please refer to the current Student Handbook  - Updated 2018.

Q.  What are the standards of the CPFI Accredited CTEC Levels at Convergence?

Ans.  CTEC Levels:- Please be aware that these education levels were established to reflect the original NVQ Levels, namely from Level-1 through to Level-8 in University.  CTEC, stands for CPFI Technical Education Certification Levels and is the way our Independent College and the CPFI - Which is a Research and Accreditation Institute, regulates the standards for this and other types of higher education care standards of training within the psychotherapy profession. These have no affiliation or any connection or representation, of/or to, the BTEC or later Cambridge Tec qualifications advertised elsewhere in higher education. 

Q. How do i get started with Convergence studies?

Ans.  First you submit the form above (at the right hand side at the top of the Home page). And secondly text us your interest on 07799 847720. in case we do not receive your email.  We are very busy and do not take phone calls initially, so begin with a simple text, or email any queries you may have. 

Q.  How do i take advantage of the two free class sessions?

Ans.  This relates to the Intro and Foundation courses only. You will need to attend on a Wednesday evening in term time where you will come for an initial informal chat at 6.15 pm and have your questions answered then you will be asked to fill in a simple short registration form to register your interest.  You will then be able to continue at 7 pm until 8.30 pm in class session. These two typical taster sessions will help you to make an informed choice before you decide if this is the right course for you to apply and pay your deposit. 

Webmaster says:

We are always looking for ways to improve this web site and the Not-for-profit Limited company attempt to answer any and all questions commonly asked by students, either online, or whilst studying in Convergence Psychotherapy. This page will continue to change as rules and regulations change to update information, so please check back regularly to find out any new information that may have changed the way we operate, due to Convergence College, CPFI or the Governmental authorities requirements, or the Law generally. Thank you for your interest.

NOTE: PLACEMENTS FOR ALL COUNSELLING / PSYCHOLOGY / PSYCHOTHERAPY STUDENTS

NEWSTART here - www.thebus-stop.org

SPIRITUAL PSYCHOLOGY SERIES

PLEASE NOTE - CONVERGENCE STUDENTS GET a VERY Large Discount. 

AND SEMINAR LIST FOR GENERAL PUBLIC - 2015 ALL £199.00 EACH (UNLESS STATED). 

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT 25% OFF, IF ORDERED UP TO 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO SEMINAR DATE.

NEXT SEMINARS  - SEMINARS MARKED WITH '#' ARE QUALIFYING ON 'FAST TRACK one day seminar DIPLOMA.

THE SEMINAR VENUE OPENS ON THE SPECIFIC DAY AT 10 am for A 10.15AM START

USUALLY FINISH BY 4.30pm To 5pm, UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED.

Course ACCREDITATION with cpfi & the STUDENT MEMBERSHIP. 

CPFI is a Research Institute and also functions as an Corporate Accrediting Organisation in the United Kingdom.

EMAIL: info@cpfi.co.uk