Program Overview

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Doctor of Counselling Psychology

The Doctor of Counselling Psychology is an intensive applied professional training programme accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This course gives students a doctorate-level education and training in psychotherapy and applied psychology, leading to the award of Doctor in Counselling Psychology.

Accreditations and Partnerships

• The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

About

This course includes a comprehensive programme of taught modules, 450 hours of supervised counselling psychology practice in a range of placements, and a doctoral research thesis. Experts guide students through psychotherapeutic theory, personal and professional development, and clinical practice. The course builds upon Counselling Psychology's existential-phenomenological base as it integrates:

• Contemporary developments of relational psychotherapy
• High-quality research that applies to real-world contexts
• Critical perspectives that deconstruct, decolonise, and reframe psychopathology
• The voices and knowledge of experts and those working across a range of related helping professions
• A caring ethos that brings together staff, students, external stakeholders, and the wider community.

In-depth Preparation for Practice

Students receive thorough training on personal, professional, and academic levels. This training equips them to work in a broad range of settings, including the NHS, industry, the third sector, private practice, academic and research roles, and many others. The programme has an extended network with partner providers and practices, including NHS services and established charities.

Entry

Entry Requirements

Applicants are required to have:

• Graduate Basis for Chartership with the British Psychological Society
• Upper second class or first class degree in psychology
• Certificate in Counselling Skills (comprising a minimum of 75 class hours)
• One year's experience of working in a one-to-one helping role
• The standard University levels of proficiency for English language

In addition, applicants must:

• Be academically able to succeed at doctoral level and able to develop professional practice to doctoral level
• Have reached a level of maturity to enable them to work with the emotional demands of vulnerable clients and the personal development aspects of the course
• Be open-minded and respectful of diverse views and perspectives
• Have the capacity for self-reflection and be open to feedback from others
• Demonstrate a good level of interpersonal skills and sensitivity to others
• Have the ability to synthesise and communicate complex ideas both verbally and in writing

Health Assessment/Declaration

Applicants must be in good health. Those offered a place are required to complete a questionnaire and be prepared to undergo a medical examination if necessary.

Disclosure of Criminal Background

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 does not apply, and all convictions, including those which are spent, must be disclosed. Applicants who are offered a place must undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and will be required to complete a Disclosure Application Form.

Structure

Content

The course structure is as follows:

Year One

• Principles of Counselling Psychology: Introduces the fundamental values and ethos of counselling psychology, with a strong focus on ethics and anti-oppressive practice.
• Theory and Practice in Counselling Psychology 1: Exposes students to the history and principles of the relational psychodynamic approach.
• Personal and Professional Development 1: Involves skills training, practice placements, and personal reflection.
• Qualitative and Quantitative Methods: Covers research methods in qualitative and quantitative design.
• Systemic Thinking and Practice in Counselling Psychology: Covers working with couples, families, and groups.
• Research in Counselling Psychology: Contextualises research within the field of counselling psychology.

Year Two

• Theory and Practice in Counselling Psychology 2: An in-depth look at the CBT approach filtered through a relational lens.
• Personal and Professional Development 2: Further development through practice placements and personal reflection, based on CBT.
• Critical Psychopathology: A critical deconstruction and interrogation of the knowledge(s) that psychologists, psychotherapists, and society at large draw upon when conceptualising mental health and wellbeing.
• Professional Issues in Counselling Psychology: Presents a critical oversight of current issues within the profession.

Final Year

• Personal and Professional Development 3: Integrates the approaches learned so far in applied practical and personal contexts.
• Advanced Theory and Practice in Counselling Psychology: Covers leadership, psychometric testing, neuropsychological assessment, and supervision.
• Professional Doctorate Thesis and Viva Examination: Students submit a 40,000-word thesis on a topic they've researched during the training.

Learning and Teaching

The course uses a wide range of teaching and learning methods, including lectures, group discussion, group work, role-play, skills work, demonstrations, trainee presentations, supervised clinical practice, personal therapy, and personal development activities.

Study Time

As a full-time student, attendance is required two days each week in Year One and one day a week in Years Two and Three. Part-time students attend one day each week in Years One to Three.

Fees

There is currently no published fee data for this course. However, students should be aware of additional costs, including the cost of personal therapy (60 hours minimum) and potential travel costs for placements.

Features

Professional Accreditation

This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Placements

Clinical work in placement settings is a central part of the training. Students must arrange and complete at least 450 hours of counselling psychology practice on approved placements.

Personal Therapy

Being in personal therapy while training is a distinguishing feature of counselling psychology. The course requirement is that trainees complete at least 60 hours of personal therapy during the course, at their own expense.

Careers

Students successfully completing this course are equipped to work as chartered counselling psychologists and accredited therapists in a wide range of roles. The qualification also prepares students for opportunities in research roles, academic posts, service development, and community work.