Therapeutic Counselling

Foundation Degree level courses are available for those candidates who wish to progress to professional qualifications. Successful completion of this course will enable you to provide a therapeutic counselling service within the context of an agency's service framework.

You will explore psychodynamic and person-centred approaches within a framework of Clarkson’s 5 facets of the therapeutic relationship. By the end of the course students will be able to demonstrate that they can work safely, ethically and professionally with clients presenting with a range of problems.

Theory

This is comprised of a programme of seminars developing understanding of the self, personal history and interpersonal relating within both Person-Centred and Psychodynamic theory

Professional Framework

A programme of seminars designed to equip students with the knowledge of practice issues. Seminars will be mainly tutor-led and will involve discussion of typical practice issues.

Skills Development

A series of practice sessions aimed at helping students develop their ability to work with clients. A variety of skills exercises are used including whole group work, pairs work and work in triads (Year 1).

Casework Discussion

Working in groups, students will take turns to present actual client work. The objective is to enable students to integrate theory, self-awareness and skills into ethical and professional practice (Year 2).

Common Presenting Issues

There will be a number of sessions where you will explore working with people with specific issues such as bereavement, abuse issues etc.

Personal Development

Fortnightly Personal Development Group and weekly Learning Journal entries. Students also attend personal therapy and a residential weekend.

Study Skills (Y1) and Advanced Study Skills (Y2)

Study Skills supports students in all aspects of producing academic work at L4 & L5. Advanced Study Skills (Y2) introduces FDA students to the basics of academic research and is not compulsory for Diploma students.

In addition to the College fees there are other costs to be considered including:

• Personal therapy (typically £45 per session)

• Supervision: most agencies provide supervision but occasionally students either supplement existing supervision, with the agreement of the agency, or organise supervision privately at around £45 per hour

• Books, photocopying, travel, childcare, etc.

Course Modules

Modules covered in Year 1

• Introduction to the Theory of Person-Centred Counselling.
• Introduction to the Theory of Psychodynamic Counselling.
• Working Professionally as a Counsellor
• Introduction to Counselling Practice
• Self-Development for Counsellors
• Study Skills

Modules covered in Year 1

• Integrative Practice for Counsellors
• Client Issues in Counselling
• Developing a Professional Approach to Counselling
• Work based Learning for Counsellors
• Reflective Self-development for Counsellors
• Advanced Study Skills

As well as seminars on theory, professional practice and mental health, you will be helped to develop your counselling skills in role plays prior to starting a placement in a counselling agency. In addition to a variety of academic assessments, you also need to complete 110 hours of supervised voluntary client work in your agency and 40 hours of personal therapy during the two years of this course.