Integrative Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy

Introduction

Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy is a specialised area of practice. This Master’s programme will equip learners with the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies to meet the therapeutic needs of children and adolescents.



With a strong focus on excellence in clinical practice, learners are fully supported in making the transition from being a practising therapist with adults to clinical work with children and adolescents. A safe, nurturing environment is fostered through established links with an on-site placement centre.



Who Should Apply

This 2 year programme will be of interest to practising counsellors and psychotherapists and play therapists who wish to extend their existing qualification in counselling and psychotherapy to Master’s level and work with children and adolescents.



Why choose this Programme?



Ideal for anyone looking to pursue a career in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy.



Competitively priced programme fees with payment plans available.



QQI validated, ensuring the highest quality content and delivery.



Exceptionally high levels of student support, ensuring that learners are continually guided and supported.



Overview

This part-time programme consists of nine modules over 2 years. It is a taught Master’s with a strong practice-based research component. The programme utilises a continuous assessment strategy and learners accumulate credits though a variety of assessments over the duration of the programme.



Programme Delivery

The MA in Child and Adolescent Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy is delivered using onsite and online learning. We do not utilise hybrid approaches, therefore onsite classes are integral to the programme.



Student Benefits & Support

We hold that it is not enough to simply teach the skills of counselling and psychotherapy. Learners are given the space to learn, practice and be supported

as they extend the scope of their practice to work with children and adolescents.



Placement

100 hours of client work must be completed as part of this programme. Approx. 50 hours should be with children aged 6-11 and 50 should be with adolescents aged 12-17. A ratio of 60:40 is also allowable if a learner has a preference for working with one age group over the other.



Clinical hours must be completed in an approved setting, after completion of an assessment of readiness to practice with younger clients.



Learners are required to be in on-going clinical supervision, at a ratio of 1 hour of supervision to every 5 hours of clinical work regardless of accreditation status. Supervisors for this programme must be qualified, accredited therapists and supervisors with one of the main professional bodies in Ireland (i.e. IACP/IAHIP/BACP/IAPTP/APPI/FTAI). In addition, they must be experienced in supervision of clinical work with minors.



Validation & Accreditation of Award

This Master’s is at Level 9 on the NFQ, validated by QQI.

Programme Structure

The programme contains nine mandatory modules over the duration of two years.



First Year Modules

Psychotherapy with Children & Adolescents

Child & Adolescent Development

CBT with Children & Adolescents

Therapeutic Use of Play, Creative Media & Expressive Arts

Clinical Skills for Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy



Second Year Modules

Advanced Research Methods

Research Portfolio

Trauma Informed Therapy with Children and Adolescents

Clinical Practice & Development

Entry Routes

If English is your second language you are required to submit an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) cert at Level 6.5, or equivalent.

An honours degree, Level 8 on The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), in counselling and psychotherapy, or equivalent.



OR



An honours degree, Level 8 on the NFQ, plus a professional diploma in counselling and psychotherapy that meets with IACP/IAHIP course

recognition standards (or equivalent). The diploma must have counselling and psychotherapy at its core.



Learners will be invited to an interview with faculty as part of the application process.



Minimum Technological Requirements

For both the fully online and for the blended learning programme, you will need to have:



Appropriate broadband to be able to upload and download;

A desktop computer or laptop that is capable of using zoom;

A webcam and microphone;

A web browser; and

Word processing package

Apply Online.

2 years.



The programme is facilitated through monthly three block days (usually Friday evening, all day Saturday and all day Sunday)

The next intake for this course will be September 2026.