Level 5 Higher Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (Hypno-CBT®)

Below is the table outlining both academic and vocational qualification levels.

Vocational qualifications are concerned with real world application. We can think of this in terms of levels of knowledge, skills and intelligence to be able to solve various problems of increasing complexity.

Simple, clearly defined problems with simple “out of the box” solutions are at the lower levels.
Complex, poorly defined problems with multiple interacting factors (or multiple complex problems) are the higher end of scale.

Thus a Level 5 qualification which we offer requires the ability to identify and address more complex and less well defined problems with more interacting factors than a Level 4 qualification. (Note: Level 4 qualifications are the typical qualification levels for hypnotherapy, Level 5 is the entry level qualification for counselling and psychotherapy).

Our Diploma training programme teaches at many different levels and we have many people taking and using the information and learnings at Level 7 (Masters).

However we are only assessing at Level 5.

Level	Academic equivalent	Practical implications for vocational work in psychotherapy, counselling, hypnotherapy etc – level of “problem complexity”
3	A Level	Simple clearly defined problems with simple “out of the box” solutions
4	1st year undergraduate	Use practical, theoretical or technical understanding to address well-defined but somewhat complex problems. Address problems that are well defined and somewhat complex. Identify, adapt and use appropriate skills and methods. Review the effectiveness and appropriateness of methods, actions and results.
5	2nd year undergraduate	{Our Diploma qualification is at Level 5} Use practical, theoretical or technical understanding to find ways forward in broadly defined, complex contexts. Address broadly defined, more complex problems. Determine, adapt and use appropriate methods and skills. Evaluate actions, methods and results.
6	3rd year undergraduate	Address problems that have limited definition and involve many interacting factors. Critically analyse, interpret and evaluate complex information, concepts and ideas Use and, where appropriate, design relevant research and development to inform actions.
7	Masters	Conceptualise and address problematic situations that involve many interacting factors. Reformulate and use practical, conceptual or technological understanding to create ways forward in contexts where there are many interacting factors. Critically analyse, interpret and evaluate complex information, concepts and theories to produce modified conceptions

A vocational course is a training programme which focuses more on practical work, rather than traditional academic exams. The ‘Vocational' part of the name refers to the fact that this course prepares you for a vocation – a particular skillset required in different types of jobs.

Example of cases you could be working with:

Most training schools and colleges have no external verification of the qualification and so the level cannot be determined, A few colleges use a Level 4 Diploma qualification – so what is the difference between Level 4 and Level 5 in practical terms. Here are a few examples:
Phobia at level 4: you will be confident working with a simple phobia such as an animal phobia where the client doesn’t experience anxiety elsewhere in their life. 
At level 5: the client may wish to work on a phobia and has experienced their anxiety increasing into other situations not related to the phobia.

Habit reversal at level 4: you will be confident working with simple habits such as nail biting, teeth grinding.
At level 5: the client may also be experiencing anxiety across a number of areas in their life a low level of self-esteem and a lack of confidence in their ability to address these issues.

Social anxiety at level 4: you will be confident working with mild social anxiety, lack of assertiveness, lack of confidence representing themselves, people pleasing rather than asserting. 
At level 5 the client may also be reporting outbursts of anger when feeling threatened, a lack of control over emotions and displaying inappropriate behaviour, low self-esteem and sense of worth.