Pluralistic Counselling & Psychotherapy

Introduction
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 Arts 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. With a strong research focus, 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.

This two year programme will be of interest to practising therapists who wish to extend their existing qualification in counselling and psychotherapy to Master's level.

Overview
This part-time programme consists of ten 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.

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, Psychoanalysis). 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
The Sociological Context Of Mental Health
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 go to
https://www.iicp.ie/courses/useful-information/

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 that meets with IACP/IAHIP course recognition standards, or equivalent. The diploma must have counselling and psychotherapy at its core and have a minimum of 450 hours in tutor/student contact over the duration of the programme.

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

Apply Online

Please note due to the current Covid -19 restrictions, our office team are working remotely. Therefore we would encourage you to apply online for speedy process of your application. Should you have any questions in relation to making your online application please contact Triona on 086-0499154.

Learners are assessed through a continuous assessment strategy, which includes a variety of mediums such as individual and group projects, skills training assessments, case studies and process recordings, written assignments, essays and a dissertation.

Credits 90 ECTS

2 Years part-time

This programme is facilitated through monthly three day blocks (usually Friday to Sunday) or Thursday option (every Thursday 9:30am – 5pm but the weekly option may include a couple of half days on a Saturday/Sunday)

Annual Fees: €3,875

Starting: 9th October 2020