Counselling and Psychotherapy

Please note that completion of a Foundation course in Counselling & Psychotherapy is not a pre-requisite for entry on to thisprogramme. 

Key Features of the BA (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy

• Recognised by the Irish Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (IACP)
• The orientation is primarily humanistic /integrative/ psychodynamic but it also introduces students to the principles of psychoanalysis, body psychotherapy, existential psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

Please click hear here to go directly to the IACP website

• Central to the course are personal development through personal therapy and process group work, supervised clinical practice (years 3 & 4) and theoretical study
• Teaching is primarily interactive and focused on the students' engagement with the material on the programme
• Learning is skills-based and experiential, in small group formats (maximum of 15 per training group and 8 per clinical supervision group in years 3 & 4)
• We have a dedicated placement officer to assist students in finding work placements to complete their necessary client work
• Of interest to those who would like to learn counselling skills and understand their basis in psychotherapeutic practice
• Enhances students current work practices e.g. health and social care professionals, teachers, Gardai, community workers, voluntary sector workers and many more
• Upon successful completion, graduates may apply for the MA in Psychotherapy

Counsellors have a major contribution to make in the alleviation of distress and in the development of the individual across the whole range of human experience such as bereavement, trauma, depression, personal and career choices and relationships. In addition, good counseling skills are now an essential part of many work roles and an expertise in the areas can be an important source of job satisfaction. Counselling and Psychotherapy disciplines have enjoyed significant growth in an Ireland that has seen great social change in recent years. They have become accepted as ways of coming to understand oneself and help others.

Programme Rationale

The Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy trains students in knowledge and skills fundamental to counselling and theraputic work in a wide variety of settings including private practice, voluntary agencies, hospitals, community centres, schools and colleges. This course is ideal for those who would like to pursue a training in counselling or psychotherapy. It is also of interest to those who would like to learn counselling skills to enhance their work practices, e.g. human resource personnel, nurses, Gardai and teachers.

Furthermore, it would be of interest to practising counsellors and therapists who would like to complete a formal professionally recognised qualification in counselling and psychotherapy. DBS also requires applicants to be over 25 years of age prior to course commencement due to the professional nature of the training and counselling components of the programme.

Programme Overview

The BA (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy programme has been designed to meet the criteria of a core-training course, which includes the required counselling skills, personal development and theoretical components. The degree is recognised by the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) and awarded by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC).

The orientation of the course is integrative/humanistic with a psychodynamic perspective. It offers a very grounded introduction to ways of working therapeutically with clients. Students only begin supervised client work following the completion of all modules and requirements at Level 1 and 2 of the programme.

Programme Objectives

The objectives of the BA (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy are as follows:

• To provide a solid foundation in the theory and an initiation into the practice of counselling and psychotherapy.
• To provide a detailed understanding of the history of the discipline of counselling and psychotherapy.
• To demonstrate an understanding of the way in which psychology informs psychotherapy.
• To inform about the potential contribution of the approaches studies as well as their limitations.
• To demonstrate practical counselling and psychotherapy skills in a real life setting.
• To gain experience of the process of counselling/psychotherapy as a consumer in an individual or group setting.
• To gain knowledge of the main categories of psychopathology, their signs and symptoms, and know when and to whom to make appropriate referrals.
• To acquire significant research and writing skills through essay writing and by carrying out primary research in the area of counselling and psychotherapy.
• To prepare students to undertake the further training and education necessary to meet the relevant criteria for eventual accreditation by the appropriate professional bodies.
• To have acquired a broad undergraduate education and the practical and intellectual skills required for postgraduate education and a variety of career paths.

Programme Structure

The BA (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy is a part-time programme of at least four years duration.

During Level 1 and 2 of the programme students attend:

• Lectures one evening per week
• 11 weekends from September to May
• Process Group on evening per week for 30 weeks from September to May
• Weekly Personal Therapy (mandatory from level 2).

Over the course of the first two years all students undergo feedback sessions andinterviews to assess academic and personal eligibility to proceed to years 3 and 4. A decision is made at the end of year 2 on the basis of  the material from the previous two years concerning suitability for client work. Students who successfully complete year 2 receive a Higher Certificate in Applied Social Studies - Counselling award. 

During Level 3 and 4 of the programme students attend:

• Lectures one evening per week from September to May
• 11 weekends from September to May
• Weekly Personal Therapy
• Individual and group supervision of client work.

Additional hours are required for client work, personal therapy and individual clinical supervision. Please note personal therapy and individual clinical supervision are an additional cost to be incurred by students.

Years 3 and 4 continue to include feedback sessions and interview and upon completion of these two final years, a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree is awarded.

Programme Content