MSc Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy Studies (UKCP Accredited)

1. Counselling Skills

   20 Credits(Compulsory)This module, delivered during year 1 of the MSc Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy Studies, focuses on core therapeutic skills and the essential elements of practice in preparation for clinical placements, which will begin in year two of the program. The main emphasis will be on the therapeutic frame and the development of specific skills associated with the key theoretical modalities covered in the course. Students will gain an understanding of the therapeutic process from the point of referral to the first session, the middle stages and ending of the counseling relationship, the use of the therapeutic relationship in relation to the therapeutic process, and the role and importance of supervision.

2. Theory in Counselling and Psychotherapy20 Credits(Compulsory)This theory module introduces students to the literature and theoretical knowledge base of the Gestalt Therapy Theory (GTT) and begins the process of thinking critically about the application of the GTT in their clinical work. This module will offer students an understanding of the core approach in their integration model.

3. Issues of Practice: Ethics, Diversity, Equality and Professional Standards20 Credits(Compulsory)This module focuses on the following key themes;

   1. Diversity and equality

   2. Safeguarding

   3. Ethics

   4. Security & confidentiality (GDPR)

   Towards the end of the year, students will also be supported to seek and set up their clinical placements as part of this module. This module will enable students, who at this stage will have a foundation in the core skills of counseling and psychotherapy, to acquire an increased awareness of the ethical and professional issues involved in counseling practice. Attention will be given to the practical aspects of the profession, such as contracting, referrals, and managing boundaries, as well as an appreciation of wider issues such as culture, belief systems, sexual orientation, risk assessment, collaborative working and the ongoing role of supervision.

1. Theory in Counselling & Psychotherapy 2

   30 Credits(Compulsory)This twenty-credit, the two-semester module provides a continuation from the module ‘Theory in Counselling & Psychotherapy 1’, further developing your understanding of key theoretical ideas, as you reach the stage of applying theory to your own clinical practice. Your central focus in this module will be on psychodynamic theory, but you also be briefly introduced to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. You will explore theories of psychological distress and mental health difficulties, and gain an understanding of the stages of human development and the key issues encountered at these stages.

2. Applied Professional Practice30 Credits(Compulsory)This module supports students into the early stages of their practice via the ongoing support of clinical placement and clinical case discussion groups. Students’ clinical practice and case discussions are then enhanced and supported by the theoretical and practical integration of the three core component models taught in the program with advanced skills being taught in parallel. The module links efficacious clinical practice with a research ethos and skills to help the student identify an initial focus for the third-year research project.

   • Intermediate skills & clinical case discussion

   • The intersection of research and practice; initial planning of research project

   • Integration of component models into coherent integrative theory and practice

Applied Professional Practice 2

30 Credits

(Compulsory)

This module supports ongoing clinical practice via ongoing supervised clinical placement and clinical case discussion groups. Advanced therapeutic skills and theory are then introduced via introduction to and integration of the final of the three core component models - cognitive behavioral therapy. The module, therefore, links increasingly efficacious clinical practice with a broader range of therapeutic options and allows students to complete and consolidate the integration of their therapeutic model.

Research Dissertation

30 Credits

(Compulsory)

This module provides you with the opportunity to select an area of particular interest to you within the field of psychotherapy and counseling. Working with a tutor, you will design, plan and execute a small empirical research project in your chosen area. In the early stages, you will produce a brief initial research proposal, for discussion with your research tutor. Your proposal forms the basis for developing an application for Newman's ethical approval, which must be achieved prior to commencing data collection. Your research design should employ quantitative and/or qualitative methods and draw upon and critically evaluate a range of both classic and contemporary research findings. Your project will then be written up using the author guidelines for a specific academic journal, and aim for publishable standards.

Systematic Case Study Dissertation

30 Credits

(Compulsory)

This tutored thirty-credit module provides you with the opportunity to focus on and explore a particular area of clinical practice, and theory in relation to practice, through an extended systematic case study project. You will do this by systematically exploring and evaluating an appropriate case study example from your clinical caseload. In doing so you will engage in and learn about methodological issues in single-case inquiry, and apply these to your case. You will need to maintain client confidentiality and integrate the skills of clinical practice with the rigors of academic writing. Your project will also draw upon and critically evaluate a range of both classic and contemporary theoretical CPM nd research literature relevant to the case. Your project will then be written up using the author guidelines for a specific academic journal, and aim for publishable standards.