Counselling & Psychotherapy - Psychodynamic Modalities

Overview

Looking to further your career in Counselling and Psychotherapy with a particular focus on Psychodynamic Modalities? This is an ICHAS course delivered at Griffith College by ICHAS.



Successful completion of the programme provides learners with a QQI-awarded Master's qualification. The programme is designed primarily for health and human sciences graduates, particularly graduates of counselling and psychotherapy-related programmes, as well as graduates of disciplines such as nursing, social care, social work, psychology, and other programmes.



It is especially suited to those who work with (or seek to work with) individuals, families, and communities exposed to or experiencing psychological/psychosocial challenges in various health or social care environments.



Why study a Master’s in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Psychodynamic Modalities)?

This programme enables students to employ counselling and psychotherapy competencies as tools for prevention and rehabilitation/recovery based on psychodynamic philosophies by creating and modelling learning opportunities where all learners can participate successfully within the context of their strengths and abilities.



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

• This programme meets the requirements for professional accreditation with the Association of Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapists and the National Association for Professional Counselling & Psychotherapy.



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



• It supports learners' personal and professional development, enabling them to achieve a Master’s Degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy focusing on Psychodynamic Modalities.



• Develop learner’s knowledge, skills & competence to an appropriate level of ‘Higher Order Practice’.



• 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:

Theories of Psychodynamic Counselling & Psychotherapy

Research Methodologies & Design

Skills & Competencies in Psychodynamic Counselling & Psychotherapy

Psychodynamic Modalities & Therapeutic Group Work

Understanding Psychopathology

Knowing Self

Applications of Psychodynamic Counselling & Psychotherapy

Practicum

Dissertation

• 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.



• 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.



• If English is not your native language, you must meet 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.

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 part-time over two years. Lectures are delivered one evening a week from 6 pm-9 pm and on Saturdays from 9:30 am-4:30 pm in the academic year (Sept-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, allowing for flexibility in achieving a work/life/study balance. In addition, skill-based learning is undertaken in practice settings as part of the Practicum Module.

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

Mental health Services

Aiseiri

My Move Counselling Services

Tusla

Social Care

Mental Health Nursing