Program Overview

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MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Family Therapy)

Overview

This programme is for graduates who want to develop their professional competence in Counselling & Psychotherapy through advanced study, professional placement, and research. It is designed for graduates in health and human sciences, counselling and psychotherapy-related programmes, and disciplines such as nursing, social care, social work, psychology, and programmes in cognate areas.

Course Details

Placement Module:

Learners must undertake work-based learning requiring 200 hours of Client Work in a counselling or psychotherapy setting. This allows learners to apply the theoretical and practical aspects of the programme, working therapeutically with clients in a clinical setting and developing transferable, adaptable, appropriate therapeutic and active listening skills under appropriate clinical supervisory arrangements. Students are required to undertake Clinical Supervision during their placement.

Knowing Self Module:

Learners will undertake 50 hours of Personal Psychotherapeutic experience as part of the Knowing Self module

Module Outline

Theoretical Perspectives in Family Therapy

The aim of this Module is to support learners to acquire the necessary knowledge of Family Therapy necessary to work with clients. Learners will focus on theoretical basis for systemic approaches over the period of the Module and will be required to appraise the evidence base for the range of explanatory theories and practices associated with this modality of practice.

Research Methodologies & Design

The aim of the module is to facilitate students to critically evaluate the differing approaches and methods used for the generation of evidence.

Skills & Competencies in Family Therapy

The aim of the module is to facilitate students to develop and critically evaluate the role of therapeutic processes and competencies Family Therapy approaches and interventions The Module will focus on the integration of the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to deliver competent professional practice and will focus on Assessment, Case Formulation, Interventions and termination of therapeutic engagement within family therapy traditions.

Family Therapy & Therapeutic Couples Work

The aim of the module is to facilitate students to explore and critically evaluate the benefits of Couples work within the context of Family Therapy approaches. Learners will focus on the central place of the Attachment, Identity and Attraction in Interpersonal Relationships within the context of Couples in traditional and evolving models of ‘Family’ and the role of the practitioner in supporting and facilitating couples to nurture, maintain or terminate relationships over the period of the Module and will be required to appraise the evidence base for Couples work.

Understanding Psychopathology

The aim of this module is to help the learner achieve a higher order understanding of the importance of mental illness and disorder in the context of psychotherapeutic activities.

Knowing Self

The Module will focus on the development of in-depth ‘personal’ knowledge through structured forms of psychotherapeutic engagement. This module will offer an experientially orientation introduction to personal psychotherapeutic experience.

Applications of Family Therapy Approaches

The aim of the module is to facilitate students to critically evaluate the use of Family Therapy in differing contexts and with differing populations.

Practicum

The aim of this module is to support learners to acquire the skills, knowledge and attitude to work within applied settings at a higher order level using a defined structure to enhance ongoing performance. The fields of Counselling & Psychotherapy have dimensions that extend beyond the acquisition of theoretic knowledge alone and the professional Practicum placement affords the opportunity for learning to take place in appropriate professional contexts. This module aims to extend the professional experience of learners through exposure to varied counselling and psychotherapeutic approaches and philosophies, and allow them the opportunity to experience a range of service provision models. This experience will allow learners to reflect critically on issues relating to quality and delivery of practice. The module will further explore the concepts of professionalism, ethical practice and continuing professional development, enabling learners to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes for dealing with issues both personal and professional.

Dissertation

As a capstone module, the aim is to facilitate students to complete a research project, drawing on their own learning within the programme and enabling them to focus on an area of specialism that is of particular interest and relevance to their own practice. The Dissertation module (30 ECTS) will be a culmination of the research-based practice/independent practice and in the form of an Academic Dissertation.

Timetables

This course is delivered over two years part-time. Lectures are delivered one evening per week from 6pm-9pm and over eight Saturdays (approximately) from 9:30am-4:30 pm in the academic year (Sept-December and Jan-May).

The programme utilises Blended learning for theoretic elements of engagement. In person attendance is required for skills-based modules. This allows the learner to access classes in person or online to allow for flexibility in achieving a work/life/study balance.

How to Apply

Entry Requirements

• This programme is designed for graduates in health and human sciences and in particular graduates of Counselling related programmes as well as, nursing, social care, social work, psychology and programmes in cognate areas who wish to expand their knowledge and understanding of the human condition.
• The knowledge, skills and competence required to successfully participate in and complete this Level 9 Programme.
• Applicants will normally have successfully achieved a Level 2:2 award in a relevant Human Science Level 8 degree.
• Those who have completed other relevant education programmes or have relevant professional experience, etc., where Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) and Acquired Prior Learning (APL) can be applied to the programme by submission of programme content, qualification and assignments equivalent to an appropriate Level 8 award at an Honours 2:2 standard can also be considered.
• All applicants undertake a selection interview to support applicants to make an informed decision regarding their choice of programme and to ensure suitability.
• Successful applicants would be required to complete Garda Vetting at the College.

English Language

The minimum English language proficiency requirement for this programme is B2+ in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages which is equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.5.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

The College is committed to the recognition of prior learning attained both formally and informally. It may be recognised either to facilitate access to a higher education programme or to allow an award of credit as in the case of allowing exemption from a module.

It is the responsibility of the learner to make a formal written application to the College requesting an exemption and supplying all appropriate supporting evidence, i.e. transcript of results and module descriptor/syllabus including intended learning outcomes. Recognised prior learning is assessed on a case-by-case basis with an emphasis on academic and clinical experience.

Fees

This programme is offered on a part-time basis only and there are options around the payment of tuition fees with payment plans available to learners.

A central component of the ICHAS vision is the provision of flexible and affordable education for all.

Please note that not all study modes may be offered at all times; for confirmation, refer to the Intake dates on the Overview tab.

Tuition Fees

Irish/Eu citizens, living In Ireland

Study Mode: Part-Time

• Dublin Main Campus: €7,800.00
• Limerick Campus: €7,800.00

Additional Requirements and Costs

Please be aware that Personal Therapy and Clinical Supervision have to be completed as part of the programme and the costs associated with these are extra and are not included in tuition fees.

Flexible Payment Options

Students wishing to avail of an instalment plan should contact [insert contact information].

Students who opt for an instalment plan will incur an extra annual fee of €150 to avail of this facility.

Progression

Progression:

On successful completion of the MA in Counselling & Psychotherapy, learners will be qualified to access Level 10 Programmes on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

Career Options:

This programme is designed to meet the requirement of professional accreditation with the Association of Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapists (APCP) and the National Association for Professional Counselling & Psychotherapy. Graduates from this programme can be found working in various settings across the caring profession and can be found working in such as:

• Private Practice
• HSE
• Addiction Treatment Centres
• Pieta House
• Mental health Services
• Aiseiri
• Tusla
• Social Care
• Mental Health Nursing