Counselling & Psychotherapy

Master of Arts (MA) in Psychotherapy

Key Features of the MA in Psychotherapy

• Designed for graduates from disciplines related to counselling and psychotherapy
• Aims to meet the needs of individuals who wish to train as professional Psychotherapists
• Designed with close attention paid to requirements of professional bodies and discussions regarding statutory and European regulation in the field
• Delivered on a modular basis, typically students will attend classes on two evenings per weeks & attend weekend workshops once or twice a month.
• Comprises of Theoretical components, Personal Psychotherapy, Weekly Process Groups & Supervised Clinical Counselling/Psychotherapy Practice
• The orientation is primarily humanistic/integrative
• Includes master classes and workshops from experienced practitioners.

Programme Structure

The MA in Psychotherapy is delivered on a modular basis during evenings and weekends and will normally take students two years to complete. During each year, students will normally study 2 evenings a week for two 12 week semesters and attend weekend experiential workshops and seminars. In this time students will participate in experiential group learning and attend academic lectures, both of which direct their study and understanding of counselling and the theories and practices of counselling and psychotherapy.

In the second year of the programme there are two Master Class modules involving highly experienced practitioners bringing that experience to a teaching context. In order to best equip students research methodologies and the range of contemporary issues that face professional Psychotherapists will also be amongst the topics studied.

Fundamental to training in the field of counselling and psychotherapy is the undergoing of one’s own psychotherapy. This work of clarifying one’s actions and motivations is challenging, stimulating and ultimately rewarding at a personal level as well as grounding professional practice. Students should expect to be in their own personal therapy for the duration of the MA.

The MA programme involves students beginning supervised clinical counselling/psychotherapy practice. Supporting this, in addition to the personal psychotherapy mentioned above are two forms of clinical supervision - individual and group. The two supervision arrangements provide the opportunity for students to articulate their questions regarding their therapeutic interventions and position. Group supervision is incorporated into the MA timetable. Payment in relation to one's personal psychotherapy and individual supervision is not included in the course fee and is arrange individually with the therapist and supervisor.

Assessment

Each year students are assessed not only on their skills and academic knowledge but also in two feedback meetings per year to discuss their progress in training. Feedback and assessment are the basis of a decision regarding their suitability for professional practice as counsellors and psychotherapists, an ultimately their qualification with the MA.

Careers

Holders of the MA in Psychotherapy will be qualified to work in the following areas:

• The Voluntary Sector
• Primary Care settings
• Social Care settings
• Educational settings
• Private Practice following admission to a professional body

It is envisaged that the programme will appeal to those interested in further postgraduate study, such as at PhD level.

Entry Requirements

• To be considered for admission, applicants must hold a minimum Second Class Honours (2.2) Counselling and Psychotherapy qualification or an equivalent qualification in a cognate area from a recognised third level institution, or
• Be a graduate of any non cognate discipline and hold a qualification in a conversion-style programmes such as the DBS Higher Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy (wherein they have passed all requirements at honours level, including oral examination of professional suitability), or
• Hold an equivalent qualification in the field of Humanistic, Integrative and Psychodynamic study and training, or
• Have equivalent professional qualifications
• 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 MA in Psychotherapy at DBS and as part of the professional requirements for this programme, applicants will be sent a disclaimer form. Applicants are required to complete and return this form to the Admissions Office in order to process their application
• Suitable candidates should be able to demonstrate significant life experience, self-awareness and maturity. Students on the MA programme are required to have entered their own psychotherapy before commencement of the programme. This will have been a requirement of the required prior learning qualification indicated above. Prior learning qualifications should also have included a minimum of 60 hours process group work.

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 psychotherapy training. To this end there is an interview process as part of the admissions procedure in order to assess academic and personal suitability.

Programme Content