Counselling & Psychotherapy - Integrative Modalities

Overview

Looking to develop your career in Counselling and Psychotherapy with a particular emphasis on Integrative modalities? This is an ICHAS course delivered at Griffith College by ICHAS.



This programme is for people who desire to be leaders and agents for change and recognise the unique contribution of professional counsellors and psychotherapists. Using a range of scientifically established paradigms and approaches can help individuals, their families, and communities support individual recovery and well-being, at policy and preventative levels in terms of public health models. This programme enables learners to critically evaluate institutionalised practices and values and act as agents for challenge and change in their professional contexts. It addresses the needs of practitioners and graduates who wish to develop their professional competence in the areas of Counselling & Psychotherapy.



Placement

Learners must undertake work-based learning requiring 200 hours of Client Work in a counselling or psychotherapy setting. This allows learners to apply the theoretical and practical aspects of the programme, working therapeutically with clients in a clinical setting and develop transferable, adaptable, therapeutic and active listening skills under appropriate clinical supervisory arrangement.



The placement will also enhance the development of your professional disposition to work confidently and independently in various settings. Some of the placement providers that we work closely with are Aiseiri Treatment Centres (Nationwide), MyMind (Nationwide), Let’s get talking (Galway, Shannon, Dublin, Wexford), Cuan Mhuire, Jigsaw, SOSAD, Haven Hub (Limerick, Clare) and various youth focused and childhood based settings.



Knowing Self Module

Learners will undertake 50 hours of Personal Psychotherapeutic experience as part of the Knowing Self module.

Modules:

Theoretical Perspectives of Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy

Research Methodologies & Design

Skills & Competencies in Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy

Interpersonal Relational Process in Individual and Group Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy

Understanding Psychopathology

Knowing Self

Applications of Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy

Practicum

To join the MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Integrative Modalities), applicants must meet the following requirements:



• 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 participate in and complete this Level 9 Programme successfully.



• Applicants will normally 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.



• All applicants undertake a selection interview to support applicants to make an informed decision regarding their choice of programme and to ensure suitability.



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



English Language

​The minimum English language proficiency requirement for this programme is B2+ in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which is equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.5.



Applicants will normally have successfully achieved a Level 2:2 award in a relevant Human Science Level 8 degree.



Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

The College is committed to the recognition of prior learning attained both formally and informally. It may be recognised either to facilitate access to a higher education programme or to allow an award of credit as in the case of allowing exemption from a module.



It is the responsibility of the learner to make a formal written application to the College requesting an exemption and supplying all appropriate supporting evidence, i.e. transcript of results and module descriptor/syllabus including intended learning outcomes. Recognised prior learning is assessed on a case-by-case basis with an emphasis on academic and clinical experience.

Applications for this course are submitted through the ICHAS website. When you click on "Application Weblink" above, you will be directed to ICHAS to complete your application.

2 years part-time.



Timetable

This course is delivered over Two Years Part-Time. Lectures are delivered one evening per week from 6 pm-9 pm and on approximately eight Saturdays from 9:30 am-4:30 pm in the academic year (Sept-Dec and Jan-May).



The programme utilises Blended learning for theoretic elements of engagement.



In-person attendance is required for skills-based modules. This allows the learner to access classes in person or online to allow flexibility in achieving a work/life/study balance.

Intake Dates:

Dublin - Part-Time - September 2027

Limerick - Part-Time - September 2027

Cork - Part-Time - September 2027

Progression:

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



Career Options:

This programme is designed to meet the requirement of professional accreditation with the Association of Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapists (APCP) and the National Association for Professional Counselling & Psychotherapy. Graduates from this programme can be found working in various settings across the caring profession and can be found working in such as:

• Private Practice

• HSE

• Addiction Treatment Centres

• Pieta House

• Tusla

• Social Care

• Mental Health Nursing