Postgraduate Diploma Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy

This two-year counselling and psychotherapy course, accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), emphasises the integration of theory, research, practice, and a commitment to self-awareness to help you develop into a competent, creative and ethically-sound counsellor. The programme has a long tradition of preparing students to be versatile and adaptable in their therapeutic practice to meet the individual needs of different client groups and work settings.

The Postgraduate Diploma Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy has been designed to serve as a professional qualification for students seeking a career as a qualified counsellor/psychotherapist working in the statutory and voluntary sectors, in business or private practice.

The Counselling and Psychotherapy course facilitates students in developing a critical understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of integrative counselling practice, with a view to them developing their own coherent, ethical and effective approach to counselling practice, which can be adapted for use in a wide range of settings for short and long term work. On completion, you will be ready to work as a trained integrative therapist.

We intend to deliver our courses in a blended format; with a proportion of the teaching and learning being delivered digitally, and where it is safe to do so, some teaching and learning being delivered in person and using social distancing and/or mitigating measures as deemed appropriate in line with government guidance.

Assessment

A range of assessments are used at the PG Diploma stage of this course to test your knowledge, skills, and self-awareness and practice ability.

Year One: Two essays, two skills assessments, a professional practice portfolio, and a personal development review.

Year Two: Essay, skills assessment, a research portfolio, a case study with live client audio, a group project and a professional practice portfolio, a personal development review and a supervisor’s report.

Careers

While more practice experience will be required to build the hours to achieve personal BACP accreditation, having successfully completed the formal training hours and assignments, graduates of the PG Diploma Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy will be ready to look for work in the field of counselling and psychotherapy.

Former students from the course have enhanced their career profile within their current employment or found new positions in the voluntary sector, in health settings, in Higher or Further Education, in Employment Assistance Programmes (EAPs), in business and in private practice.

The course has a good record of graduates developing portfolio careers, using their adaptable approach to work in a variety of settings. It is also possible to undertake further specialised training in order to work with children and young people, or to apply for a research PhD.

A degree or a qualification at Level 6 or above. The criteria for a suitable placement will be discussed at interview and we will provide you with information about organisations who regularly accept integrative counselling students on placement. You will need to organise the placement for yourself but our placement team are available for advice and support.