Counselling & Psychotherapy

Higher Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy

Key Features of the Higher Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy

• Conversion style course for non Counselling/Psychotherapy Degree graduates

• Focused on personal development through personal therapy, process group work and theoretical study

• Sets graduates on the path towards supervised clinical training at Masters level

• Delivered on a modular basis, typically students will attend classes on two evenings per weeks & attend weekend workshops once or twice a month

• Central to the course is experiential skills training

• 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

• Orientation is primarily humanistic/integrative but it also introduces students to the principles of psychoanalysis, family therapy and to research skills.

The Higher Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy will provide students with a broad graduate-level education and grounding in the theory and practice of Counselling and Therapy.  The course offers students a practical training in therapeutic skills and an understanding of the ethical implications of therapeutic work.  During the course students will be guided in developing a capacity for reflective self-awareness through personal therapy and group experiences.

This Higher Diploma is aimed at non-Counselling and/or Psychotherapy graduates.  It is, primarily, an academic qualification, but will set its graduates on the path towards becoming accredited members of professional Counselling and Psychotherapy bodies.  The course also prepares students to follow a variety of educational and career paths by helping them to achieve their full critical potential and equipping them with a range of intellectual skills.

Course Structure

The Higher Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy is run on a modular basis during evenings and weekends and will normally take students two years to complete.  During that time students will take academic lectures as well as experiential training groups. Research methodologies and the range of contemporary issues that face professional Counsellors and Psychotherapists will also be amongst the topics studied. Students attend and participate in process group work on one evening a week throughout each year, as well as attending academic lectures one evening a week for two 12 week terms. Each year students participate in two feedback meetings with their trainers to assess not only their skills and academic knowledge but also their suitability for professional practice as counsellors and psychotherapists. During each year students will attend lectures two evenings per week and attend weekend academic and experiential workshops twice a month.

Careers

The Higher Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy is not in itself full professional training. However, holders of this qualification may seek employment in the following areas:

• The Voluntary Sector
• Primary Care settings
• Social Care settings
• Educational settings

It is envisaged that the course will appeal to those interested in bridging their undergraduate qualification with further postgraduate study, such as our MA in Psychotherapy. Please note that professional suitability assessment forms part of a pre-enrolment interview, and also continues throughout this programme.

Entry Requirements

• To be considered for admission, applicants must hold a primary honours degree award of at least pass level in a non-cognate discipline from a recognised third level institution, or
  
• Hold an equivalent professional qualification and be able to provide evidence of an ability to study at this level.
• An IELTS score of a minimum of 6.0 or equivalent, where full-time study has been conducted in a language other than English or whose first language is not English
• Applicants are also required to submit a personal statement of approximately 400 words outlining why they wish to pursue this particular course
• Upon receipt of application for the Higher Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy at DBS and as part of the professional requirements for this programme, applicants will be sent a disclaimer and reference form. Applicants are required to complete and return these forms to the Admissions Office in order to process their application
• Suitable candidates should be able to demonstrate significant life experience, self-awareness and maturity, and are ideally required to be aged 23 years or older.

Ideally candidates should also have experience either professionally or on a voluntary basis in a role which can be related to the work of counselling/psychotherapy. Candidates are expected to be able to show evidence of having the personal qualities necessary to undertake the Higher Diploma course.

Course Content

Learner protection for this programme is provided in accordance with Section 43 of the Qualifications (Education and Training ) Act 1999.