Integrative Psychotherapeutic Studies

Overview

Introduction

Our two year Higher Diploma in Science in Integrative Psychotherapeutic Studies is now accepting applications for the September 2024 intake. This innovative programme is validated by QQI. Designed in the style of a conversion or bridging programme, this two year training prepares learners to enter a professional practice masters. This programme does not in itself provide a professional qualification. This programme is aimed at non-counselling and/or psychotherapy graduates. It is primarily a conversion programme, and will set its graduates on the path towards becoming accredited members of our professional counselling and psychotherapy body. Successful completion of this programme will satisfy the academic and professional criteria required for entry into IICP College two year Masters programme. The Higher Diploma, in combination with our Masters in Pluralistic Psychotherapy, facilitates a 4 year training in counselling and psychotherapy and learners who exit with the MSc in Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy are eligible for IACP Membership.



At IICP, we desire to contribute a community dimension to the development of mental health care and counselling through the use of a practical, cutting-edge and integrative model, which forms the basis for this pioneering and innovative programme. We consider that training in counselling and psychotherapy is an inter-disciplinary endeavour, a combination of art and science to include, amongst others, the disciplines of philosophy, psychology, sociology and anthropology. IICP’s core philosophical ethos, which offers a theoretical framework encompassing humanistic-existential, cognitive-behavioural and multicultural psychotherapeutic models, is a contemporary integrative framework.



This unique approach offers a broad structure to professionals who are dealing with a diverse range of clients and presenting problems. IICP offer a unique learner-centred environment. At the heart of the training provided in IICP lies the belief that people are experts in the story of their own lives. The therapeutic process can encourage the client to make effective change in relation to life direction and the ensuing process of decision making. IICP holds 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 develop for themselves a style and model of counselling which is both personal and effective.



Who Should Apply

This course is designed in the style of a conversion programme for graduates who hold a Level 8 Degree in the human sciences or equivalent. It is ideal for those who, upon completion, would like to transfer to a Master’s level practice programme to become professional therapists. The programme will also appeal to a variety of professionals who wish to augment and build upon previous training in the addiction, social care, health, education and mental health professions, but who do not necessarily want to practice as a therapist.



Blended Learning Delivery

This programme is delivered via blended learning, whereby students rotate monthly/weekly between onsite and online. Our blended learning classes are run as tutorials, that involve students and their lecturer logging into our online learning platform Moodle and use the online portal Zoom™ simultaneously.



Zoom™ provides and integrative online environment for students and Lecturers to interact and engage in the learning. This platform facilitates discussion polls, sharing of slides, videos resources and much, much more. To foster more intimate learning environments the use of breakout rooms is also implemented, allowing for the safe and experiential triadic learning practice that we have found so successful.



All of our sessions are accessible through computer and mobile devices and we have a structured and robust technology department to support all faculty and students through their online learning journey. To encourage flexibility, and the best practice, we also record all our sessions, these are made accessible only to the students in that class to review content whenever is convenient to them!

The programme is highly interactive and taught through role-play, lectures, group-work and audio/video presentations. The ethos of the course reflects the Quality School model of Choice Theory, Reality Therapy & Lead Management (CT/RT/LM), which promotes a warm, safe environment that is free from fear, criticism and coercion. Participants will have the opportunity to produce and participate in individual written assignments, group projects and group work.



Year 1:

Integrative Psychotherapeutic Studies 1

Psychotherapeutic Skills 1

Integrative Psychotherapeutic Studies 2

Personal Psychotherapeutic Experience 1

Trauma Informed Therapy

Ethics & Professional Practice Skills



Year 2:

Clinical Work with Substance Using Clients

Psychotherapeutic Skills 2

Clinical Internship

Research Methods in Psychotherapy

Personal Psychotherapeutic Experience 2

- A recognised undergraduate degree in the human sciences, issued at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). Those with a Level 7 Degree in the allied professions, with substantial professional experience may be considered under our recognition of prior learning and experience policy.



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



- Learners will need to have access to workplace or voluntary role which will them to implement the learning of the programme. IICP will work with each student to ensure this entry requirement is achieved.



- If English is your second language you are required to submit an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) cert at Level 6 or equivalent.



Minimum Technological Requirements

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

2 years, part-time.



September: Block – Friday evening classes 6pm to 9pm/10pm. Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm (One weekend per month)

Start Date: September 2025