Over two years students mix teaching, experiential learning, group discussion, practical application and microskills exercises with relevant theory. Students will qualify for
the Diploma in Integrative Counselling, which is also the first step to obtaining BACP accreditation. If successful at this level, students may then choose to go on to do the Post Graduate Diploma.
Who is it For?
This course is for people who:
- are seeking professional training having done some previous training
- are seeking professional training having had some practical experience
- are practitioners without qualifications
- are practitioners who wish to extend their qualifications
When is it Held?
The Counselling Diploma is a two-year course taught over six ten-week
terms. Training begins from around 12 noon to 8.30pm one day per week,
plus occasional weekends (474 training contact hours). After completion
of these two years, it is necessary to meet additional requirements
for clinical supervision, and submit a written case study and extended
essay and undergo a Live Assessment of clinical work. This takes at
least an additional six months.
Entry Requirements
Students must have successfully completed the Minster Centre Foundation
course or had training and/or experience to a similar level before
beginning the diploma. Prospective students wishing to join the Diploma
without having completed the Foundation Course can have their previous
training or life experience assessed and will then be advised at interview
if their previous experience is sufficient.
Applicants must have completed a minimum of 20 hours of ongoing personal
individual therapy within the year prior to the start of the course.
It is essential for all students to be in individual psychotherapy
at least once weekly throughout the course. Choice of therapist is
made with flexibility subject to Minster Centre approval.
Course Description
FIRST YEAR
1. Contemporary Models of Humanistic Counselling
and Psychotherapy.
A weekly three hour seminar over one and a half terms where students
are introduced to: a critical awareness of the conflicts and contradictions
within the field of humanistic psychotherapy;
an integration of the humanistic approach in their personal understanding
of themselves and other people; the application of the basic elements
and attitudes in their own practice through participation in experiential
work involving humanistic material. Modes of learning include tutor
introductions to the ideas, experiential exercises, student presentations
and reflective discussion.
Course requires one written paper of 3,000–4,000 words.
Tutor: David Mazure.
2. Object Relations and the Psychoanalytic Tradition
A weekly three hour seminar over one and a half terms exploring the
evolution of psychoanalytic theory throughout the twentieth century
to today. Starting with Freud’s ideas about the unconscious
and biologically based drives as being primary motivating forces in
human behaviour, we track the conceptual development of psychodynamic
thinking to a change of emphasis wherein relationship and the environment
are seen as central in shaping the human experience. The aim of the
module is that students learn how to critically compare, contrast,
contextualise and apply humanistic and psychodynamic theory and methodology.
Course requires one written paper of 3.000-4,000 words.
Tutor: Nancy Browner.
3. Weekend Workshops
Students participate in three experiential weekend workshops during
the year – each fulfilling specific experiential needs or introducing
specialist training.
4. Experiential Training Group
This is a weekly one and a half hour session in which the focus is
the personal and emotional development of the students, their sensitivity
towards/awareness of themselves, others, and
the interactions within the group of students. Sessions are entirely
experiential and have no set agenda. Each group meets for ten weeks
in the term. Students are expected to increase their self awareness
and awareness of others.
5. Clinical Practice
Students may start client work, towards the end of this year, but
only when deemed appropriate by both supervisor and student.
6. Combined Supervision and Intensive Skills
group
Attendance at a weekly one and a half or two-hour supervision and
Skills Group is required. The Skills Group in the first year focuses
upon skills practice at an intensive level and is a preparation for
the later Supervision Group where students continue to learn from
each other and support their client work. See more information on
Supervision Groups in Section One and Three.
7. Individual Psychotherapy
A minimum of 40 sessions of weekly psychotherapy is required in the
year.
SECOND YEAR
1. The Body in Psychotherapy
This seminar is in two parts, each running weekly for three hours
over one and a half terms and requires one written paper of 3,000–4,000
words.
An overview of different forms of bodywork, with the focus being a
neo-Reichian approach. Students will practise body-oriented psychotherapeutic
skills using breathing, touch and movement.
The seminar teaches the art of body reading, how to use the material arising from it and how to use one’s own bodily responses as a therapeutic tool.
New developments in neuroscience and the implications for psychotherapy
will be explored, focusing particularly on intersubjectivity and attachment,
grounded in the early mother–child relationship.
Tutor: Rebecca Cooper
2. Conflict
This course opens up the wider world for all practitioners who may
have to encounter it. It will:
- look at all forms of prejudice (sexism, racism, etc), both conscious and unconscious
- touch on key aspects of the history of oppression and conflict to raise personal and professional awareness
- deal with the psychology of in-groups and out-groups
- offer help with conflict resolution and the integration of differences
- emphasise the value of diversity
- attempt to raise political awareness.
consciousness the course will enable practitioners to deal with the whole range of difficulties and challenges that may be encountered when dealing with social and community issues.
At the end of the course students will be better able to work with people who have to live in a world where oppression is common.
Course requires one written paper of 3,000–4,000 words.
Tutor: Sue Daniels.
3. Experiential Training Group
Students continue to attend a weekly one and a half hour evening experiential group. Further information on the experiential training group can be found under the first year description.
4. Clinical Practice and Placement
Students will start working with one, two or three training clients, when deemed appropriate by both supervisor and student. A 90 hour placement is also required. See further information under ‘Client Experience’ in Section One.
5. Supervision Group
Attendance at a weekly supervision group is required. All students are in supervision during the second and subsequent years of the Diploma and MA courses. Sessions may include presentation and discussion of work with training clients, role plays, practice sessions and discussion of issues related to practice.
Learning outcomes include: sensitivity to context and the environment of the client, ethics, assessment skills, communication skills, ability to relate theory to practice, self management
skills, developing an integrative practice style.
6. Individual Psychotherapy
A minimum of 40 sessions of weekly psychotherapy is required in the year.
Completion of the Diploma
To complete the Counselling Diploma students must also produce and pass the assessment of:
1. An extended essay of 5000 words
2. A Case Study of 5000 words
3. A Process Report based on ten minutes of recorded material from one client session (3,000-4,000 words). A viva is included in the process.
Progression
Students who successfully complete the Counselling Diploma and intend to continue on to the Advanced Diploma will usually have less finishing work to complete, as some of their submissions may be used for the award of the Advanced Diploma. Please note however that each case is decided individually, based upon the standard of the work submitted, and this is not guaranteed.
Assessment
Assessment is by Minster Centre staff, except for the Live Assessment and Process Report, which is assessed by outside examiners. In addition to formal assessment of essays, tutors and supervisors assess students' experiential and clinical work. Students are assessed each year and given specific recommendations vis-à-vis their training.
Accreditation
Students who successfully complete all the requirements are awarded a Diploma in Integrative Counselling. The diploma is recognised by the BACP and students may go on to seek BACP
accreditation. Modules are also accredited by Middlesex University at postgraduate level.
Information about the Application Process
The academic year 2010-2011 will start end of September 2010.
The deadline for receipt of applications for Diploma, Post Graduate Diploma and MA courses is end of June 2010. EARLY APPLICATION IS RECOMMENDED.
We run regular Introductory Evenings where a senior member of staff will present pathways through training, give details about the course curriculum, and answer questions. Current dates can be found elsewhere on this website.
To apply, you must submit an application form, a CV and a personal biography. Please see the “Notes for Guidance”. All candidates are selected by individual interview with a senior staff member. The interview fee is £50.
Notes
for Guidance here in PDF
Download
Application Form here in PDF
Download
Application Form here in Word
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