Addiction Counselling & Psychotherapy

In an experiential and participative environment, this course offers students the opportunity to acquire key skills and theoretical knowledge to effectively engage clients in the addiction recovery process.

Who is this course for?
The MSc Addiction Counselling & Psychotherapy is a comprehensive professional training course, focused on working therapeutically with people dealing with addiction. This course is aimed at graduates who are currently working, or plan to work, in addiction services, including counsellors and psychotherapists, doctors, nurses, youth workers, social carers, social workers, psychologists and those who wish solidify and enhance their qualifications, whilst gaining contemporary theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The course, which is validated by Middlesex University, is designed to supplement trainees’ existing qualifications rather than serve as a stand-alone counselling qualification. This course meets some, but not all, of the accreditation criteria for the Addiction Counsellors of Ireland (ACI). While not accrediting specific courses, the ACI does evaluate applicants based on qualifications, training and specialist experience. The MSc Addiction Counselling & Psychotherapy programme is designed to fulfil a number of these essential criteria.

What are the benefits of doing this course?
On completion of the course, you will have developed the advanced competence and proficiency to work with clients presenting with a wide variety of addiction issues in a range of settings. You will more fully understand the complex and challenging nature of addiction and recovery, whilst prioritising the individuality of the person affected by addiction. You will be well placed to influence attitudes and affect policy in the workplace, community and society. The programme complements the national policy on taking a harm-reduction approach to treating addiction. With a module dedicated to dual diagnosis, the programme is suited to candidates interested in developing a single care pathway in addiction and mental health services for those that need it, in line with the ‘no wrong door’ approach of the recently launched HSE Model of Care for Dual Diagnosis.

What will you learn?
The course is designed to give learners a working understanding of the theories, processes and dynamics of addiction in an ever-changing biopsychosocial context, with a strong focus on effective, evidence-based approaches to treatment and counselling. With a person-centred philosophy at its core, students will be equipped with a variety of clinical skills applicable to the complex presentation of addiction that span diverse populations. The programme addresses the ever-pervasive influence of the internet and how it exacerbates the deleterious effects of behavioural addictions such as compulsive gambling, sexual addiction and gaming. Students will experience addiction from a multidisciplinary viewpoint during site visits and within reflexive clinical practice, in addition to developing proficiency in three different talk therapy modalities.

Year 1: Postgraduate Certificate - 60 credits (equivalent to 30 ECTS credits)
• Theories of Addictive Behaviour: History and Current Situation
• Generic and Specific Therapy Skills for Addiction
• Drugs of Abuse: Biological, Psychological and Social Aspects
• The Motivational Interviewing Approach

Year 2: Postgraduate Diploma - 60 credits (equivalent to 30 ECTS credits)
• Behavioural Addictions: Gambling, Sex etc.
• The CBT Approach to Working with Addiction
• The Family Dimension in Addiction
• Dual Diagnosis: Common Mental Health Problems in Addiction

Year 2: MSc Component - 60 credits (equivalent to 30 ECTS credits)
• Case Study and Dissertation

Additional Course Requirements
• 100 hours of clinical placement/client work (25 hours must be • completed before the end of Year 1)
• 20 sessions with a qualified supervisor to review client work
• 20 hours of personal therapy - 10 of these hours must be completed before commencing client work.

Entry Requirements
Eligibility Year 1
Applicants are required to hold a relevant degree (Level 8 NFQ or equivalent; Final grade 2.2 or above).

Applicants who do not meet these criteria may be eligible to enter the course on the basis of prior learning and experience in the area. Students applying on the basis of prior learning must provide evidence of their knowledge, skill and ability to pursue this programme of study. This should be in the form of a career portfolio outlining and demonstrating your career path as is relevant to this course (including transcripts of any relevant results, statements of prior learning based on systematic reflection) and be must be submitted with your application.

Applicants should ideally have access to opportunities for client work in their current role and be able to apply theoretical principles and practice in their current workplace.

Application Process Year 1
• Send in Complete Application Form and Deposit (Online / Hard Copy)
• Copies of Transcripts (Confirming 2.2 on relevant Level 8 Degree or higher) or Copy of Career Portfolio
• and 500-word written statement on why you believe they are suitable for the course.
All suitable candidates will be invited to interview

Eligibility Year 2
Students who hold a Postgraduate Certificate in Addiction Counselling & Psychotherapy (PCI College or equivalent) may apply for entry to Year 2 of the course.

Students who do not meet these criteria may be eligible to enter Year 2 on the basis of prior learning and experience in the area. Students applying on the basis of prior learning must provide evidence of their knowledge, skill and ability to pursue this programme of study. This should be in the form of a career portfolio outlining and demonstrating your career path as is relevant to this course (including transcripts of any relevant results, statements of prior learning based on systematic reflection) and be must be submitted with your application.

Application Process Year 2
External Applicants - Graduates of the Postgraduate Certificate Addiction Counselling & Psychotherapy:
• Send complete year 2 application form and deposit (online/hard copy)
• All suitable candidates will be invited to interview
• Places are limited (18). Selection is based on application and interview.

External Applicants:
• Send complete year 2 application form & deposit (online/hard copy)
• Complete course comparison form including:
o Copy of current/previous course prospectus/course outline
o Transcript of results of all assessments/examinations
o Copy of all relevant qualifications
o Completed course comparison form
o Letter from counsellor to verify previous hours of personal therapy (if applicable)
o Letter from supervisor to verify hours of client work with varying presenting issues (must have completed at least 15% of the overall course requirement in the last 12 months)
• Statement on why you feel you have met the Learning Outcomes for Year 1. (approximately 1000 words)

All suitable candidates will be invited to interview
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Language Requirements
All candidates are required to satisfy the English language requirement. Candidates whose first language is not English and who are presenting qualifications other than the Leaving Certificate may satisfy the requirement through the completion of the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) on the basis that they obtain a minimum band score of 6 at the undergraduate level and 6.5 at postgraduate level or an equivalent score of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or Cambridge, which denotes a very good skill level of English. It should be noted that these are the minimum requirements in English and PCI College may set higher requirements in each case.

Garda vetting
Students will be requested to participate in Garda Vetting procedures in relation to programme and accreditation requirements.

IT Skills: students require sufficient IT skills to complete the course

Students can expect to be provided with advice and support concerning any learning difficulties that they may encounter. Any diagnosed learning difficulty, e.g. dyslexia, must be noted on the application.

Apply online

Assessment: Written and practical assignments

Two years (24 months) part-time.

Weekends - Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5.30 pm (approx. 1 weekend per month from October to June)

Fees:
Year 1: €3,670* + Middlesex University Registration Fee €1,200**
(€3,150 for PCI College Graduates + MU Registration Fee €1,200**)

Year 2: €4,250

*Please note that fees include a €20 charge for Garda vetting process which is required prior to course entry.

**Once off fee paid in the first year

Payment Plan:
Pay in 18 monthly instalments, through the Monthly Payment Plan. Please note that this plan will operate by Direct Debit only and is inclusive of €100.00 administration fee. Each student must pass the Progression Board to enable them to move into the next year of study and the payment schedule outlined below.

Additional Course Costs
Course fees do not cover costs associated with Additional Course Requirements (Personal Therapy & Supervision). Fees for Supervision and Personal Therapy are decided by negotiation between you and your Supervisor and Therapist. The average cost of supervision is approximately €60. Personal therapy may also average about €60 per session.

START DATE: October 2023

Please note that Inductions will be held the week before the start date. You will receive full details with your timetable following your acceptance.

On successful completion of this programme, graduates decide on the course of action most appropriate to their needs and ambitions. The programme aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge to build a successful career within this Addiction Counselling specialism. Graduates from this programme have a wide variety of career avenues to choose from. PCI College offer student support and guidance in exploring their career options through the provision of an additional career focused workshop.

he following avenues are open to them:
Avenue 1
Graduates may choose to continue working in employment settings where Talk Therapy skills related to Addiction are essential if they are to serve their clients in a more truly comprehensive way.

Avenue 2
Graduates may gain employment in the Public Sector, Government-funded agencies and other organisations that promote and facilitate addiction recovery, for example, HSE settings, Residential Treatment Centres, Addiction and Recovery Services, Social Care settings, etc.

Avenue 3
Graduates will obtain skills transferable to managerial positions in addiction, health and community services.

Avenue 4
Graduates may increase their existing private practice services as counsellors/therapists who specialise in addiction.

Avenue 5
Graduates may market themselves as having specialist skills in working specifically with behavioural addiction, motivational interviewing, the family in addiction and dual diagnosis.

Avenue 6
Graduates may pursue accreditation status with Addiction Counsellors Ireland (ACI) or other accredited organisations.

Avenue 7
A number of graduates choose to use their learning from this programme as a stepping-stone to further study in addiction, counselling or the social sciences, for example doctoral studies.