International and Cross-Cultural Counselling Studies (Taught)

This programme equips you with critical perspectives and cultural awareness in relation to counselling and psychotherapy practice in our increasingly globalised and diverse world.

Counselling and psychotherapy are growing in popularity across the globe; however, not enough attention has been paid to how this discipline might work in differing contexts and with diverse populations.

As a primarily Western area of study, there are inherent biases and cultural viewpoints present in this field. In this programme you will be encouraged to question the colonial, ethnocentric, and heteronormative assumptions that underlie many psychotherapeutic practices. Drawing on contemporary perspectives, post/decolonial approaches, and social theory, you will challenge traditional discourses of suffering and healing.

Interdisciplinary, arts-based, experiential, and embodied pedagogic and research practices are integral to the programme.

This MSc is not a full professional practice training in counselling and psychotherapy. We offer the latter through our:

• Master of Counselling (Interpersonal Dialogue), two years full-time

• Master of Counselling, four years part-time

• Doctor of Psychotherapy and Counselling, which may be taken full-time or part-time

See the University of Edinburgh website for detailed programme information.