Course summary

This course is ideal for aspiring counselling practitioners who are currently working in the healthcare sector, or applicants in search of a change in vocation; particularly those who would like to gain further insight into therapeutic intervention. Levels four and five will provide a challenging and high-quality academic grounding for level six inclusive of study skills and research development. These also focus on personal development, enabling greater self-awareness and self-acceptance, as well as Integrative counselling skills practise, to help prepare the student for client work. Students are encouraged to develop the integration of academic skills and counselling skills and competencies. Students will also develop a firm understanding of the influence of other subject disciplines, such as lifespan development and mental health and contemporary client issues such as addictions, abuse, and eating disorders and an understanding of how culture and diversity impact on the counselling role and relationship. Following the completion of levels 4 and 5 students have the opportunity to continue on one of two level 6 routes: a) - BA Integrative Counselling (level six) is focussed on practice for aspiring counsellors. It prepares students for the challenges of working in this vital and frequently fluid area within both the public and private sector, equipping all students with the knowledge, skills, understanding and ethical instincts to work as informed, confident and responsible professionals. The programme will offer students sound knowledge and skills which they can apply to practice during the practical element, where students complete 100 placement hours as a 1-1 counsellor. A further requirement is that the student will participate in 10 hours of personal therapy, 1.5 hours supervision per 8 client hours, hold a clear enhanced DBS and purchase professional indemnity insurance. b) – BA Integrative Counselling Theory will enable those students not wishing to enter placement and become a counsellor to achieve a good degree. At present there are no provisions for students to attend a programme where they can choose to opt out of the placement module and attend theoretical modules in place of the practicing element. This will also be highly attractive to practicing counsellors who may hold a practicing Foundation Degree in counselling who are looking to develop their professional competence and advance their careers with a full degree. These students would not be expected to achieve any further hours on placement as they will have already achieved the 100 hours required by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Neither would they be required to participate in 10 personal therapy hours.