Postgraduate Higher Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapydrafted drafted

Program Overview

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The Higher Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy is a conversion-style program designed for non-counselling graduates. It provides a broad foundation in counselling theory and practice, with a focus on personal and professional development through experiential learning and group discussions. The program prepares students for further supervised clinical training at a Master's level and enhances the current work practices of professionals in various fields.

Program Outline

Detailed Extraction of Higher Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy Program

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Degree Overview:

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Objective:

• Provide students with a broad graduate-level education and grounding in the theory and practice of counselling and therapy
• Develop students' practical skills in therapeutic techniques
• Foster understanding of the ethical implications of therapeutic work
• Cultivate students' capacity for reflective self-awareness through personal therapy and group experiences

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Program Description:

• Conversion-style course designed for non-counselling/psychotherapy graduates
• Primarily focused on the development of personal and professional skills through experiential learning and group discussions
• Delivered on a modular basis, typically spanning two years
• Consists of evening and weekend classes
• Sets graduates on the path towards supervised clinical training at a Master's level
• Appeals to those who want to learn counselling skills and understand psychotherapeutic practice
• Enhances the current work practices of students in various professional fields

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Key Features:

• Conversion program: Designed for graduates who are not from counselling or psychotherapy backgrounds.
• Modular delivery: Classes are typically held on two evenings per week and at weekend workshops a few times a month.
• Focus on personal development: Students participate in personal therapy and process group work to cultivate self-awareness.
• Path to further training: Graduates can pursue supervised clinical training and further accreditation.
• Experiential learning: Students acquire counselling skills through practical training and group discussion.
• Relevance to various professions: The skills gained are relevant to those working in health and social care, education, law enforcement, and various other fields.
• Humanistic/integrative orientation: The program introduces students to principles of various therapeutic approaches, including psychoanalysis and family therapy.
• Research skills development: Students acquire research methodology through the program.

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Outline:

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Content:

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Core Modules:

• Counselling and Psychotherapy Skills 1 & 2
• Stress Response 1 & 2
• Process Group
• Traditions of Psychotherapy
• Theories of Development
• Psychoanalysis
• Group Psychotherapy
• Psychopathology and Case Histories
• Research Methods and Minor Dissertation
• The Family and Psychotherapy

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Structure:

• Two year part-time program delivered via evening and weekend classes.

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Course Schedule:

• Evening lectures one to two times a week for two 12-week terms.
• Attendance of process group work once per week throughout the year.
• Approximately 12 Saturdays of classes throughout the academic year.
• Two feedback meetings per year with trainers to assess skills, knowledge, and suitability for further training.

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Individual Modules:

Descriptions are not available within the provided context.

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Assessment:

• Combines experiential learning, lectures, and personal development
• Theory and Practice modules utilize experiential learning in training groups with up to 15 students
• Other modules are taught in lecture format
• Assessment approaches include essays, presentations, group discussions, self-reflection, and exams
• Personal psychotherapy and process group work are not formally assessed
• The cost of personal psychotherapy is not included in the program fees

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Teaching:

• Information about teaching methods, faculty, and unique approaches is not available within the given context.

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Careers:

• Program Completion does not equal full professional training but improves job prospects in specific areas:
• Voluntary sector
• Primary care settings
• Social care settings
• Educational settings
• The program lays the foundation for further postgraduate studies such as the MA in Psychotherapy
• Professional suitability assessment is an integral component of the program
• This program and the MA in Psychotherapy at DBS fulfill the requirements of four-year training expected by professional bodies in psychotherapy

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Other:

• Accredited by Irish Association of Humanistic Integrative Psychotherapy (IAHI) along with the MA in Psychotherapy to fulfill the four-year professional training requirement.
• Currently under review for re-approval by QQI and IAHIP.

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The course fees for the next academic year are €4,250 per annum for EU students. This covers the cost of tuition, registration and examinations. A full list of DBS Postgraduate fees will be available shorty. Click here to view international fees. Click here to view EU fees. You can also contact our admissions team who would be happy to discuss the options available for you. Please note also that there is tax relief for Irish income tax payers at the standard rate of 20% on all fees exceeding €1,000 and up to €7,000.