Year One

Integrative Counselling Theory and Practice: Introduces the theory and foundational skills of the humanistic person-centred and existential approaches, whilst also setting the firm foundations of the ethical and legal frameworks within which counsellors and psychotherapists are duty bound to work- 20 credits.

Applied Integrative Counselling Theory and Practice: Introduces the theory and foundational skills of the relational psychodynamic approach. In addition, students begin to learn how to integrate approaches within applied therapeutic practice with real client issues – 20 credits

Personal and Professional Development: This module places emphasis on self awareness, patterns of relating with others, working with unhelpful aspects of self in addition to working with the challenge of giving and receiving feedback. – 20 credits

Year Two

Advanced Integrative Counselling Theory and Skills: Introduces the theory and foundational skills of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Third Wave approaches, such as mindfulness, CFT and ACT. The module also provides an overview of models and approaches to working with mental health, e.g. Medical Model, Bio-Psycho-Socio-Spiritual Model as well as more Trauma-Informed approaches. – 20 credits

Advanced Applied Theory and Practice: This module focuses more on working integratively with a range of client issues typically found in professional practice e.g. grief and loss, domestic abuse, complex trauma. There is also a focus on developing research skills in preparation for completing a research project. – 20 credits

Advanced Personal and Professional Practice: This module places emphasis on engaging with and facilitating safe, ethical and effective group work.

Year Three

Research Methods and Dissertation: You will learn a range of appropriate research methodologies and methods, to support you in developing, implementing and completing your final dissertation submission. You will be allocated a personal academic supervisor to provide expert guidance, advice and support throughout the process.

Classes include interactive theoretical lectures, experiential workshops, personal development groups, role play, simulated skills groups, and digital recording of skills sessions for assessment and presentation purposes.

In addition, you will need to be in a placement location seeing ‘real’ clients throughout the first two years of the course (once you have been assessed as ready to practice) and you will need to have completed at least 100 hours of supervised counselling and psychotherapy practice by the end of the first two years. There is a BACP requirement that you should have fortnightly supervision for your counselling and psychotherapy practice and a minimum of 1.5 hours supervision a month.

We expect students to attend all teaching sessions, and there is a minimum requirement of 80% attendance for successful completion of the course.

In Year Three, there are seven days of tutor-facilitated teaching and learning and nine hours of direct dissertation supervision. Supervision meetings would be discussed directly and flexibly arranged with the designated member of staff.

A range of assessment is used on the MA course to test your knowledge, skills, self-awareness and therapeutic practice ability.

Year One: Online Simulation of a 50-minute Counselling and Psychotherapy Session, Critical Skills Report, Essay, a Portfolio of Professional Practice including Personal Development Reflections.

Year Two: Essay, In-Person 50 minute Counselling & Psychotherapy Session, Critical Skills Report, Case Study, Research Proposal, Professional Practice Portfolio including the Facilitation of a Group Activity.

Year Three: An ethically approved 17000 word Research Dissertation in addition to a number of formative assessment opportunities that will be set throughout the year to support your progression towards your dissertation.