Psychotherapy & Counselling (Foundation Course)

This course provides a basic training and a solid grounding in psychotherapy and counselling skills. This is achieved by combining academic, practical and experiential components within a supportive but challenging framework.

This course comprises three 10 week terms, with students attending one day session per week. Each session includes a lecture/discussion period, extensive skills and practice work, and concludes with a one hour Personal & Professional Development group.

Two written papers are required, two by the end of term 2 and one on the completion of the course, for which tutorials are available.

On this course, candidates will acquire a basic knowledge and understanding of a range of psychotherapy and counselling theory, with the main focus on the existential-phenomenological, psychodynamic and humanistic/integrative perspectives. Cognitive/behavioural approaches are also covered.

Candidates will develop an initial competence in the use of essential communication and counselling skills and an aptitude for self-evaluation in respect of their use of such skills.  They will learn how to reflect on their own interpersonal and emotional processes, patterns and experiences; to think critically and objectively about psychotherapy and counselling theory and practice.

Topics covered include:

• An Overview of Humanistic Therapy
• The Work of Carl Rogers
• Consciousness and Unconsciousness
• Communicative Psychotherapy
• Carl Jung
• Mental Health and Mental Illness
• Putting Theory into Practice
• Working with Loss and Bereavement

Assessment

Evaluation is based on assessment of students’ participation throughout the course and on the successful completion of two pieces of coursework, an essay about their personal and professional development throughout the course, and a theoretical paper.

Upon completion of this course, candidates will have the opportunity to progress onto the post graduate diploma in Psychotherapy & Counselling

Entry Requirements:

No formal entry requirements are necessary although life experience, a mature attitude and a capacity for self-reflection are important and necessary qualities.  Students with a varied background and experience and a level of maturity are welcome.

Candidates will be required to attend an interview prior to being accepted onto the course.