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.

The programme is facilitated through monthly three-block days (usually Friday evening, all day Saturday and all day Sunday) and includes the following components:



Programme Structure

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



Integrative child and adolescent therapy

Developmental understanding

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and creative therapies CBT

Trauma-informaed practice

Essential clinical skills

Reflective practice and supervision

Evidence-based approaches

Practice-based research

Qualitative and quantitative methods

Independent research portfolio

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 the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP)/Irish Association of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (IAHIP) course
recognition standards (or equivalent). The diploma must have counselling and psychotherapy at its core.

If English is not your first language, you need to submit an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) certificate at Level 6.5 or equivalent. (View more information)



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



Minimum Technological Requirements

You will need:



Adequate broadband for uploading and downloading

A desktop computer or laptop capable of using Zoom

A webcam and microphone

A web browser

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 Autumn 2026.