AIM Qualifications Level 5 Diploma in Applied Therapeutic Practice

The qualification aims to develop therapeutic practice with which learners may adapt and use within their current job roles. It is primarily aimed at staff working within the education, health/social care sectors, particularly those with responsibility for the care and support for the vulnerable cohorts within their settings such as learning support staff within schools, social workers and family support staff, healthcare assistants within mental health services or play specialists in hospitals. This qualification also aims to introduce those with little or no previous experience of the industry to this specialist area.

The qualification has been designed to increase learners’ awareness of working with vulnerable groups, by observing and reflecting on good practice in the sector.

This qualification comprises four mandatory components:

Theories of Child Development – learners will develop an understanding of the history of attachment
theory and how the theory has developed over the decades. They will explore theoretical and personal perspectives of child development and major milestones, before reflecting upon own experience of being a child. Learners will also look at brain development and some of the conditions that can be described as neurodiverse, such as ADHD, impaired executive functioning and the Autistic Spectrum.

Working with Trauma and Sensory Experiencing – learners will look at neuro-sequential healing, exploring the concept of allowing the body to speak and how to use sensory integration to soothe and regulate the body when under stress, and following trauma. Learners will develop
understanding in the safety and regulation of the body, and the ability to remain within the window of tolerance whilst exploring the optimum sensory needs to regulate the environment in support of
regulation and healing.

Creative Unconscious Approaches – learners will look at how unconscious experiences can be
communicated unconsciously to others in relationship with them. Learners will also gain the experience of using the arts to express and contain unconscious experiences and how they can provide a crucible for healing and integration. Transference, counter transference, projective identification and defence mechanisms will be explored.

Reflective Practice – learners will have the opportunity to use a model of reflective practice to evaluate their theoretical and practical learning throughout their learning. This qualification complements the AIM suite of Level 2 – Level 6 counselling qualifications. Whilst the counselling qualifications are designed to develop the necessary skills and knowledge for aspiring and practising counsellors, the Level 5 Diploma in Applied Therapeutic Practice could be taken alongside these qualifications to further develop the learner’s knowledge and therapeutic skills to prepare them for working with individuals who have experienced trauma.

To achieve this qualification learners must complete all the essential components (see Qualification Specification).