Pluralistic Counselling & Psychotherapy

Developed in conjunction with Visiting Professor John McLeod, this programme aims to enable existing professionals working within the field of counselling and psychotherapy to achieve a Master of Science in Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy.



A pluralistic perspective is an integrative approach to Counselling and Psychotherapy that embraces and considers multiple causes and responses to psychological distress. The aim of the programme is to equip practitioners with an up-to-date, cutting edge training to meet the needs of contemporary society. It also aims to identify and develop leadership and collaborative qualities in those involved in therapeutic practice. Graduates from this programme will have the necessary knowledge, skills and competence to act as research-practitioners.



The programme aims to enable graduates to analyse their own practice and the profession as a whole. We strive to facilitate learners in the creation of evidence-based solutions to the current problems they face as individual practitioners and dilemmas that exist within the profession. As pluralism is the unifying theme in the programme, the programme will foster a spirit of enquiry where learners will engage in the pursuit of multiple truths, drawing from diverse disciples, approaches and orientations.



Who Should Apply

This two year programme will be of interest to practicing therapists who wish to extend their existing qualification in Counselling & Psychotherapy to Master’s Level, or who are progressing from another counselling and psychotherapy training programme.



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



Blended Learning Delivery

This programme is delivered via blended learning, whereby students rotate monthly between onsite and online. Onsite classes take place in our Tallaght Campus. 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!



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 develop for themselves a style and model of counselling which is both personal and effective.



Validation & Accreditation of Award

This master’s programme is accredited by IACP.

This master’s programme is a major award validated by QQI at Level 9 on the NFQ.

Programme Structure

The programme allows learners to engage in an in-depth analysis of pluralistic counselling and psychotherapy. Pluralism holds that different clients will want and need different things at different times. It considers that there is no one approach.



The programme entails training pluralistic theory and skills, engagement in learning in other approaches (i.e. CBT, ACT). There is a strong focus in practitioner research and an exploration of philosophical and sociological concepts.



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



First Year Modules:

A Pluralistic Framework For Counselling And Psychotherapy

Acceptance And Commitment Therapy

Pluralistic Clinical Skills

Pluralism in Psychotherapy: Multiple Perspectives, Multiple Possibilities

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Advanced Research Methods



Second Year Modules:

Philosophical Underpinnings To Counselling And Psychotherapy

Practice Based Issues In Counselling And Psychotherapy

Research Portfolio

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. For more information please click HERE



An honours degree, Level 8 on The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), in counselling and psychotherapy, or equivalent and evidence of completion of 50 hours of personal therapy and 120 hours of supervised clinical practice.



OR



An honours degree, Level 8 on the NFQ, plus a professional diploma in counselling and psychotherapy (or equivalent).



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

2 years



Delivery: This programme is facilitated through monthly three day blocks (usually Friday to Sunday)

Starting: September 2025