DIPLOMA

Professional Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy

(Stage one to Stage three of the four stage BA (Hons) Degree Programme)

Programme Structure:

This diploma programme provides comprehensive training that meets the required standards for professional accreditation (subject to the completion of post-diploma counselling hours as required by the IACP). IICP have an on-site clinical placement facility in Killinarden, namely the Village Counselling Service, which enables students to complete clinical hours (100 hours minimum) as required by IACP within an appropriate therapeutic setting. The programme is run one day per week or one Saturday (9.30am to 5pm) from September to May over two academic years. There is a final semester at the end of the second year to facilitate completion of programme requirements. The programme is highly interactive and taught through role-play, lectures, group work, assignments and clinical work. Personal development is facilitated through making use of and reflecting upon life experience.

Programme Aims:

To provide learners with a comprehensive programme for professional and academic accreditation in counselling and psychotherapy;
To introduce learners to a practical cutting-edge approach to mental health care and counselling, and to afford them the opportunity to develop an integrated style of working with clients;
To train and equip learners with the knowledge, skills, attitude and expertise to meet the needs of an increasingly pluralistic society;
To offer opportunities both formally and informally to participants to enhance personal and professional development;
To provide a warm and challenging environment where learners can reach their potential;
To enable participants to develop a personal philosophy of counselling and psychotherapy that is congruent with the principles associated with bona fide helping professionals; and
To encourage learners to view this programme in the context of lifelong learning and personal as well as professional development.

Programme Objectives:

To introduce learners to models of counselling theory as they apply to individuals in their various relational settings;
To provide traditional therapeutic theory, skills training, and practice and also to impart knowledge, skills and expertise to produce culturally competent counsellors;
To develop competencies in learners and equip them to work in diverse therapeutic settings;
To develop learners’ counselling skills to enable them to become competent and effective counsellors and group facilitators;
To encourage learners to develop their own individual integrative framework that reflects their personal style;
To develop analytical and evaluative skills as applied to the theory and practice of counselling;
To offer learners the opportunity to work on personal development thus promoting self-awareness and personal growth congruent with professional practice; and
To facilitate the development of the learner’s own internal ethical monitor to ensure best practice as set out in the IACP Code of Ethics.

Assessment:

IICP utilise Continuous Assessment (CA), as this mode enables learners to achieve positive learning outcomes throughout the full programme of study. The assessment strategy focuses on enabling learners to retain the knowledge, skills and competence gained from each module in a meaningful and purposeful way. Assessment includes practical work, individual and group projects and written assignments. Learners will complete a portfolio for each stage of the programme which demonstrates their growth and development on the programme.

Entry Requirements:

This course is designed for people who wish to become professional counsellors or upgrade their qualification base, or for those who have an opportunity to use counselling skills as part of their work, either in a paid or voluntary capacity. It is of special interest to those who work within the caring profession, from community workers to human resource professionals, hospital and other health-care personnel, teachers, Gardai, workplace supervisors, trade unionists and to anyone who works in formal helping settings. Application is limited to mature candidates (over 23 years) with an established interest in and commitment to the use of counselling or counselling techniques as part of their work. Short listing and selection criteria will apply. Candidates will demonstrate evidence of the following:

Foundation course in counselling or equivalent;
Experience in personal development;
Capacity to cope with emotional and intellectual demands of the course;
Potential to form a therapeutic relationship;
Self-awareness, maturity and stability;
Searching for meaning or purpose in the world in which they live; and
Proactive and self directed approach.

Those who are interested in pursuing the Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy are required to fill in a detailed application form which assesses the candidate’s general suitability for attendance at interview. The applicant is also asked to submit curriculum vitae and produce evidence of previous training including copies of awards and transcripts. Applicants are also asked to give contact details of two referees who can comment on the applicant’s suitability for the programme.

Programme Costs:

Year One: total of 8 modules: €4,000.00

Year Two and Final Semester: total of 10 modules: €5,000.00

Additional costs will include:

Personal therapy and supervision
Student membership with IACP
Basic Intensive Week in Choice Theory, Reality Therapy and Lead Management

Programme Registration

There is a non refundable application fee of €50 for programme applicants.
If successful in your application a non refundable deposit of €1,000 is payable on acceptance.
The balance of programme fees is due at registration two weeks prior to commencing the programme in September.

Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy: Stage Two, Programme Content

1. Theory of Counselling and Psychotherapy 1: This module aims to give a broad introduction to the field of counselling and psychotherapy and the five main approaches therein. Beginning with an exploration of Humanistic approaches mainly focusing on Person-Centred Counselling (PCC), trainees then move on to compare these with Cognitive-Behavioural approaches which include Choice Theory, Reality Therapy(RT,CT), Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Learners will also be introduced to Multicultural Counselling and Psychotherapy.

2. Advanced Microskills 1: This module aims to introduce the basic and intermediate skills of counselling. Learners will be coached in a range of key skills that will facilitate effective listening within the helping relationship. Learners will be taught each of the Advanced Microskills of listening in a sequential manner. This process enables the learner to become competent in each of the individual Microskills to facilitate a way of intervening that will facilitate the therapeutic alliance.

3. Personal Development 1: The aim of this module is to enable learners to increase their levels of self awareness of their own personal development within the context of becoming a helper. The module focuses on developing awareness of the need to understand soft/blind spots and resistances so that they can better accompany clients on their painful or challenging journeys rather than risk blocking them because they seek to enter areas which are frightening or painful for them. It is also about becoming aware of learning to resource oneself so that one has the energy and enthusiasm that effective work demands. It also aims to provide opportunities for further development of self awareness, specifically in the areas of values/prejudices, sexuality and boundaries and to examine the ethical implications of same for the therapeutic relationship.

4. Group Dynamics and Group Process 1: This module aims to introduce learners to the theoretical constructs of group dynamics and group process and to create an experiential environment where they can learn through reflection of the group process. This module will explore life stages of a group as described by Tuckman, including forming, norming, storming, performing and adjourning. Learners will also be introduced to Pavitt’s concept of group process and group functions including healthy and unhealthy dynamics that can develop within the group. Learners will have the opportunity to explore and reflect upon the development of the group through group process and the ensuing dynamics that occur within the group.

5. Ethics and Values in the counselling relationship: The aim of this module is to enable learners to see ethics as much more than abiding by coded regulations. They are encouraged to understand the underpinnings of ethical choices and their context within the client’s distinct biographical background and culture. They are taught how to conceptualise and reflect upon ethical dilemmas, values conflicts and legal issues so that they can ground their decisions in multiple points of view.

6. Counselling Supervision: This module aims to give learners a general introduction to Counselling Supervision to enable them to appreciate the value of the formative, normative, supportive and educational functions of supervision and to understand the ethical requirement for supervision throughout professional practice as a therapist.

7. Developmental Psychology: This module aims to provide a theoretical framework within which self development can be examined, including a theoretical and experiential study of the developmental periods of infancy, childhood, adolescence and early/mid/late adulthood. Learners will also have the opportunity to explore the value and significance of the developmental stages of the client in the context of the therapeutic relationship.

8. The Dynamics of Addiction: The aim of this module is to provide participants with a basis on which to develop their therapeutic understanding and application in the areas of addiction. Module content will include an examination of various categories of drugs and their effects, including the pharmacological classifications; understanding the causes of addiction; exploring myths about addition; types of addiction; family dynamics and the addict; societal and individual attitudes towards addicts and the consequences of prejudicial and discriminatory practices and understanding an individual’s therapeutic journey in recovery.

Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy: Stage Three, Programme Content

1. Theory of Counselling and Psychotherapy 2: The aim of this module will focus on consolidating the core models of CBT, PCC and MCT, and introduce learners to other approaches to counselling psychotherapy. Learners will also be expected to focus on one psychological issue that a client may present with and demonstrate how a therapist would work with a client presenting with this issue using the core models in a integrated framework utilising the Ways Paradigm.

2. Skills Training and Development 2: This module aims to increase learners’ competence and confidence in using a range of intervention skills within the therapeutic environment. Building on the advanced Microskills in stage two, this module is designed to enable learners to develop further competence in the use of Microskills. This module will enable learners to increase their repertoire of skills and interventions.

3. Personal Development 2: This module aims to further develop the learner’s awareness and ability to attend to their own needs in such a way as to increase their ability to be with clients in a way that is not only safe for both parties but which incrementally improves their effectiveness.

4. Group Dynamics & Group Facilitation 2: This module aims to further develop the learner’s knowledge, awareness and understanding in group process and the ensuing impact on personal and professional development.

5. Sociology and Equality Studies: This module aims to give an introduction to sociology and equality studies to enable learners to evaluate and reflect on the value of therapeutic interventions within a social context. The material and gendered circumstances in which different lives are lived and intersected by social class, culture, race and age will provide an important backdrop to the module.

6. Clinical Placement and Professional Development 1: This module aims to enable and support learners in their commencement of therapeutic work in suitable generic/specialised clinical placements. Clinical placement includes the development of a supervised client caseload within the ethical guidelines as set out by the IACP.

7. Relationship Counselling: The module aims to introduce learners to an integrative approach to working with couples. The integrative approach focuses on elements integrated from PCC, RT/CT and MCT approaches. The module will focus on learning about therapeutic skills relevant to couples’ work including initial assessment, goal setting, conflict resolution, gender related issues, exploring background influences through the mapping of individual past influences, values and cultural heritage and parenting issues. Learners will also be introduced to psycho-educational tools designed specifically for use with couples in the therapeutic relationship including Glasser’s Staying Together Programme and Structured Reality Therapy Couple Counselling.

8. Universal Issues in Counselling: Bereavement, Loss and Grief: This module aims to deepen the learner’s knowledge, understanding and analysis of bereavement, loss and grief as dimensions of the human experience and how they may affect the counselling process from both intrapersonal and interpersonal standpoints. Learners will be encouraged and equipped to develop those skills and attitudes that will enable them to undertake further critical study in the areas of bereavement, loss and grief within the field of counselling and psychotherapy.

9. Clinical Placement and Professional Development 2: The aims of this module are to continue to enable and support learners in their clinical work with clients within an appropriate generic and therapeutic setting. Learners will continue to draw upon the principles and best practices of counselling and psychotherapy in practice work. This module is placement only and no class attendance is required as part of programme hours.

10. Intoduction to Research Methods: In this introductory module, students will be introduced to basic research. The focus will be on familiarising themselves with two main methods of research, qualitative and quantitative methods. Key terminology will be defined. Students will be encouraged to begin the process of developing critical thinking skills and using this to read relevant literature. An awareness of research articles and how to read them will be provided. A basic introduction to psychometric testing will be offered. Students will be provided with the opportunity to practice the skills required in administering and scoring a psychological assessment tool that could be used for research. Reasons for learning about research and it’s relativity to counselling and psychotherapy will be explored.

Award: Professional Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy (Awarding body: IICP Education and Training, Course Recognition, IACP)

Dip Brochure for 2012

Diploma-application-form revised

Price List 2012