Contemporary Therapeutic Counselling MA

About the course

For the BACP accredited PgD part of the course you will explore at theoretical, experiential and practical levels a pluralistically psychodynamic approach to counselling. You will be encouraged to develop your own individual and reflexive way of working within this broad framework. Particular attention will be paid to social and cultural values that underpin counselling theories and practices, to the social and cultural contexts in which counselling takes place, and to how these relate both to you as a practitioner and to your clients.

In addition, your learning experience will be enriched by a critical consideration of comparative theoretical approaches with reference to current research findings.

In order to complete the MA, you will undertake a research project using case study methodology.

The programme tutors bring a wide range of expertise to the programme as accredited practising counsellors, psychotherapists, supervisors and researchers. Their interests lie primarily in the psychodynamic approaches to counselling, in social constructionism, phenomenology and in research.

Further Information:

Please contact Daph Ewen, the Postgraduate Administrator for further information and an application pack. It is not possible to apply for this course online.

• tel: 01707 284158
• email: d.l.ewen@herts.ac.uk

Why choose this course?

• This MA/PgD programme provides both a professional training in counselling that is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and an opportunity to achieve competence in practitioner research.
• The programme is for those who wish to train professionally as a counsellor and may be particularly suitable for those who come from areas such as social work, teaching and education, nursing, medicine, occupational therapy, youth and community work, pastoral work, law, personnel management or voluntary work in a related field.

Study routes

• Part Time, 2 Years

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

The PgD part of the programme gives you professional training in counselling, which is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Successful completion of this programme will fulfil the training requirements for applying for BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) accreditation.

You will then be given the opportunity to achieve competence in practitioner research by completing the MA dissertation. Graduates of the MA, PgD programme are eligible to apply for counselling post in the following areas:

• Social and healthcare settings
• College and University counselling
• Young people's counselling
• Employee Assistance Schemes
• Third-sector

Teaching methods

Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Therapeutic Counselling (BACP accredited)

You complete Years One and Two of this programme and the following four modules:

• Theory and Practice of Counselling I
• Theory and Practice of Counselling II
• Critical Approaches to Psychopathology
• Research Methods, Professional and Ethical Issues

Areas of work are as follows:

Theoretical and Practical Work

Emphasis throughout will be placed on a participatory and student-centred approach to learning. This will be promoted through the use of seminar work, group discussion, triad work and videotaped practice, underpinned by self, peer and tutor feedback.

You will be encouraged to develop a range of competencies in psychodynamic counselling and to relate theory to practice. You will be given the opportunity to:

• familiarise yourself with the central themes of the diverse psychodynamic approaches to counselling. These will include notions of human nature, self in relation, self and development, sexuality, gender and cultural diversity;
• examine critically comparative and contrasting approaches, such as: existential, humanistic and cognitive behavioural therapies;
• consider social constructionist and phenomenological ideas to achieve a critical understanding of the social and cultural values and assumptions that underpin the psychodynamic and comparative approaches to the theory and practice of counselling;
• explore ethical and professional issues. Particular attention will be paid to these issues in relation to the requirements of organisations where counselling takes place, such as: educational, employment and health care settings;
• achieve a critical understanding of comparative approaches to research methodology in counselling and of the relevance of current research findings to their work as practitioners.

Group Case Discussion

You present case material from your placement work for discussion in tutor facilitated small groups. Emphasis will be placed on the integration of theory, self-awareness and practice. You will be encouraged to develop a constructively critical and self-reflective approach to your practice work.

Experiential Group

You will be given an opportunity of firsthand experience of personal discovery within a group environment. This will enable you to become more aware of your own values, assumptions and ways of relating to others and of the bearing that these might have on your practice work. In so doing, you may discover other possibilities of being and relating. External consultants will facilitate this part of the programme.

Professional Tutorials

Opportunity is given to discuss academic and professional development issues with an individual member of staff.

MA in Contemporary Therapeutic Counselling

In addition to Years One and Two, you will undertake two further semesters of study (Year Three, June-February) in order to complete a dissertation using critical reflexive case study methodology for the award of your Master's Degree.

Work Placement

From the commencement of the programme you will be expected to undertake a placement in a counselling agency, approved by the programme team.

For a placement list please contact Ros Massil:

• E: r.massil@herts.ac.uk
• T: (0) +44 1707 285860

Professional Accreditations

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Theory and Practice of Counselling 1

  Theoretical seminars: a)Human Nature & Self in Relationship - a pluralistic and critical approach to the core concepts and principles of psychodynamic theory; with particular reference to notions of human nature and self in relation; b)Introduction to critical approaches. This will include: 1.phenomenology: consideration of meaning and assumptions and possibilities of being in the world and applications to psychodynamic theory and practice; 2. social constructionism: consideration of cultural specificity of psychodynamic theory and practice. This will include seminar discussion, experiential work and brief lectures. Practice Workshops: a) Applications of theoretical principles and concepts to experience and practice; b) Framework and ethics in counselling; c) Feedback skills. This will include: student presentation, discussion, experiential and practical exercises and peer and tutor observed counselling practice sessions in pairs and three and whole group. Client Work Presentation: Students will present client material from their placement work for discussion in tutor facilitated small groups. Emphasis will be placed on the integration of psychodynamic theory, self-awareness and practice. Personal Development Group: Students will be given an opportunity of first hand experience of personal discovery within a psychodynamically facilitated group environment. This will enable them to become more aware of their own values, assumptions and ways of relating to others and the bearing that these might have on their practice work.

• Theory and Practice of Counselling 2

  Theoretical Seminars: * Self in Relationship II: The Therapeutic Relationship A pluralistic and critical approach to principles and concepts such as unconscious communication, defences, transference, counter transference and containment * Self and Society A pluralistic psychodynamic and critical approach to sexualities, sibling relationships, gender/transgender, cultural awareness and group theory Theoretical seminars will include: discussion, experiential work and brief lectures Practice workshops: " Applications of theoretical principles and concepts to experience and practice " Feedback skills Practice Workshops will include: student discussion, experiential and practical exercises and peer and tutor observed counselling practice sessions in pairs and three and whole group and video-taped practice. Client Work Presentation: Students will present client material from their placement work for discussion in tutor facilitated small groups. Emphasis will be placed on the integration of psychodynamic theory, self-awareness and practice. Personal Development Group: Student will be given an opportunity of first hand experience of personal discovery within a psychodynamically led group environment. This will enable them to become more aware of their own values, assumptions and ways of relating to others and the bearing that these might have on their practice work.

Optional

Fees & funding

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

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Other financial support

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Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

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How to apply