Counselling & Psychotherapy - Family Therapy

This programme is for people who have a desire to be leaders and agents for change; recognising the special contribution of professional counsellors and psychotherapists using range of scientifically established paradigms and approaches can make to individuals, their families and communities in supporting individual recovery, wellbeing and also at policy and preventative levels in terms of public health models, thus enriching the lives of individuals and communities.



This programme enables learners to critically evaluate institutionalised practices and values, and act as agents for challenge and change in their professional contexts. The programme addresses the needs of practitioners and graduates who wish to develop their professional competence in areas of Counselling & Psychotherapy through advanced study in family therapy modalities , and through the professional placement and research elements, develop personal and professional capacity and collaborative problem solving skills, underpinned by evidence-based practice and reflection.



This programme facilitates graduates of programmes in cognate areas who wish to study towards and meet professional Counselling and Psychotherapy Accreditation requirements of the EAP in relation to Psychotherapy accreditation.



Successful completion of the programme provides learners with a QQI awarded Masters qualification in Counselling & Psychotherapy ( Family Therapy). It is especially suited to those who work with (or seek to work with) families exposed to or experiencing psychological/psychosocial challenges in a range of health or social care environments and enable them to specialise, lead and work for better outcomes for individuals with complex needs.



The programme responds to the increasing and expanding demand for evidence-based practice using recognised modalities of Counselling & Psychotherapy. More fundamentally it also equips leaders in the field of Counselling & Psychotherapy to respond to ever-changing social and cultural needs and to act autonomously in often unpredictable and ill-defined professional contexts. Moreover, it enables students to employ counselling & psychotherapy competencies as tools for prevention and rehabilitation/recovery, based on family therapy philosophies by creating and modelling learning opportunities where all learners can participate successfully within the context of their own strengths and abilities.



This course will facilitate graduates of undergraduate counselling & psychotherapy related programmes as well as those from cognate areas or applicants with appropriate professional training (through RPL routes) who wish to study towards the completion of Level 9 studies on a programme which has been benchmarked against both the training standards set by the European Association of Counselling (EAC) and the European Association of Psychotherapy (EAP).



Completion of the programme will assist graduates who wish to meet professional accreditation requirements for professional practice.

The following are the modules that have to be completed on this course which means a total of 90 ECTS have to be completed for the Award of MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy ( Family Therapy)



Theoretical Perspectives in Family Therapy

Research Methodologies & Design

Skills & Competencies in Family Therapy

Family Therapy & Therapeutic Couples Work

Understanding Psychopathology

Elective

Knowing Self

Applications of Family Therapy Approaches

Practicum

Dissertation

What are the entry requirements for this course?

This programme is designed for graduates in health and human sciences and in particular graduates of Counselling related programmes as well as, nursing, social care, social work, psychology and programmes in cognate areas who wish to expand their knowledge and understanding of the human condition.



The knowledge, skills and competence required to successfully participate in and complete this Level 9 Programme will normally require applicants to have successfully achieved a Level 2:2 award in a relevant Human Science Level 8 degree.



Those who have completed other relevant education programmes or have relevant professional experience etc., where Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) and Acquired Prior Learning (APL) can be applied to the programme by submission of programme content, qualification and assignments equivalent to an appropriate Level 8 award at an Honours 2:2 standard can also be considered. If you wish to apply for this programme, please click on the ‘Apply Now” tab. All applicants undertake a selection interview to support applicants to make an informed decision regarding their choice of programme and to ensure suitability



Applicants should be driven by a desire to be leaders and agents for change; recognising the special contribution that professional psychotherapists using an Integrative approach can make to individuals , their families and communities in supporting individual recovery, wellbeing and also at policy and preventative levels in terms of public health models, thus enriching the lives of individuals and communities. Candidates will be required to attend for interview to ascertain their suitability for the programme.



Successful applicants would be required to complete Garda Vetting at the College.

2 Years (Part Time). Available at our Dublin and Limerick Campuses.

Intake Dates

Dublin - Part-Time - September 2025

Limerick - Part-Time - September 2025

Dublin - Part-Time - September 2026

Limerick - Part-Time - September 2026



This is an ICHAS course delivered at Griffith College by ICHAS.

Where Can I progress to on completion of the course?

On successful completion of the MA in Counselling & Psychotherapy, learners will be qualified to access Level 10 Programmes on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).