Counselling & Psychotherapy - Person Centred Modalities

Overview

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



This programme is suitable for graduates who wish to expand their knowledge and understanding of the human condition and the contribution of advanced-level counselling and psychotherapy practice. It uses person-centred approaches that focus on the person’s perceptions of his or her present circumstances and assist the person in identifying his or her own answers to problems or obstacles in life.



Why Study for a MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Person Centred Modalities)?

This programme enables learners to critically evaluate institutionalised practices and values and act as agents for challenge and change in their professional contexts.



The aims of the MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Person Centred Modalities) are to:

• Recognise the special contribution of professional counsellors and psychotherapists using a range of scientifically established paradigms and approaches to individuals, their families, and communities in supporting individual recovery and well-being. At policy and preventative levels regarding public health models, thus enriching the lives of individuals and communities.



• Address the needs of practitioners and graduates who wish to develop their professional competence in areas of counselling and psychotherapy through advanced study in person-centred modalities and the professional placement and research elements, develop personal and professional capacity and develop collaborative problem-solving skills underpinned by evidence-based practice and reflection.



• This programme is congruent to provide accessible and flexible programmes to adult learners. It has been designed with particular emphasis on using blended learning technologies to support traditional classroom learning.



• Support learners' personal and professional development, enabling them to achieve a Master's Degree in Counselling and psychotherapy, focusing on person-centred modalities.



• This Master's will develop the learner's knowledge, skills, and competence to an appropriate level of Higher-Order Practice.



• Designed to build personal capacity, collaborative problem-solving skills and an understanding of the systems and context within which individuals may be best supported.



• The programme provides a progression opportunity to complete various Programmes at Level 10 nationally and internationally.



Course Placement & Personal Therapy

Practicum Module:

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 developing transferable, adaptable, appropriate therapeutic and active listening skills under appropriate clinical supervisory arrangements.



Students are required to undertake clinical supervision during their placement. 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 Person-Centred Counselling & Psychotherapy

Research Methodologies & Design

Skills & Competencies in Person-Centred Counselling & Psychotherapy

Person-Centred Modalities & Therapeutic Group Work

Understanding Psychopathology

Knowing Self

Applications of Person-Centered Counselling & Psychotherapy

Practicum

Dissertation

This programme is designed for graduates in health and human sciences, particularly graduates of counselling-related programmes, 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.



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 Requirements:

If English is not your native language, you must meet the minimum English language proficiency requirement. 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.



Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

The College is committed to recognising 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, such as exemption from a module.



It is the learner's responsibility to make a formal written application to the College requesting an exemption and supplying all appropriate supporting evidence, i.e., a 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:

Timetables will be made available closer to the course start date.



This course is delivered over 2 Years Part-Time. Lectures are delivered one evening a week from 6pm-9pm and on approximately eight Saturdays from 9:30am-4:30 pm in the academic year (Sept-May).



The programme utilises blended learning for theoretic elements of engagement while in-person attendance is required for skills-based modules, allowing for 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:

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).



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

Mental health Services

Aiseiri

My Move Counselling Services

Tusla

Social Care

Mental Health Nursing