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The CPCAB model
The CPCAB model underpins all CPCAB’s qualifications. It consists of three parts, which together form a working model of the counsellor. The first two parts also provide a working model of the helper.
1. Seven processes
2. Different levels of work
3. Three therapeutic methods
Part 1: Seven processes
The first part of the CPCAB model is the idea that, whenever a counsellor is working with a client (or when a helper is working with a helpee, or a supervisor is working with a supervisee), there are seven processes at work. The seven processes are described in the seven units that are found in all CPCAB qualifications. It might help you to understand these seven processes if you imagine them to be like seven parts of a person’s body:
In every qualification the seven units has a learning outcome which defines what you need to learn for that unit.
Part 2: Service levels
CPCAB qualifications are based on a series of ‘service levels’, which start with helping work and progress, step-by-step, to working with people who have complex mental health problems. The level defines the understandings and skills that a practitioner needs to work effectively at that level. The service levels also provide a simple but effective framework for assessing the needs of a client/helpee/supervisee, together with defining the nature, and limits of, the service that a practitioner/agency is able to offer.
The levels are:
Helping work – using counselling skills to work with distress and personal concerns. Helping work is clearly distinguished from service levels A, B and C, which all involve counselling or psychotherapy that is formally contracted between the counsellor/psychotherapist and the client. In order to make the distinction between counselling and counselling skills clear, CPCAB refers to the person using counselling skills as a “helper” and the personal being helped as a “helpee”.
Service level A – working with clients difficulties
The CPCAB model underpins all CPCAB’s qualifications. It consists of three parts, which together form a working model of the counsellor. The first two parts also provide a working model of the helper.
1. Seven processes
2. Different levels of work
3. Three therapeutic methods
Part 1: Seven processes
The first part of the CPCAB model is the idea that, whenever a counsellor is working with a client (or when a helper is working with a helpee, or a supervisor is working with a supervisee), there are seven processes at work. The seven processes are described in the seven units that are found in all CPCAB qualifications. It might help you to understand these seven processes if you imagine them to be like seven parts of a person’s body:
In every qualification the seven units has a learning outcome which defines what you need to learn for that unit.
Part 2: Service levels
CPCAB qualifications are based on a series of ‘service levels’, which start with helping work and progress, step-by-step, to working with people who have complex mental health problems. The level defines the understandings and skills that a practitioner needs to work effectively at that level. The service levels also provide a simple but effective framework for assessing the needs of a client/helpee/supervisee, together with defining the nature, and limits of, the service that a practitioner/agency is able to offer.
The levels are:
Helping work – using counselling skills to work with distress and personal concerns. Helping work is clearly distinguished from service levels A, B and C, which all involve counselling or psychotherapy that is formally contracted between the counsellor/psychotherapist and the client. In order to make the distinction between counselling and counselling skills clear, CPCAB refers to the person using counselling skills as a “helper” and the personal being helped as a “helpee”.
Service level A – working with clients difficulties