Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy

Course details

The Institute of Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy (IICP) Diploma programme was first established in 2003 with the aim of providing a comprehensive training service for those who wish to pursue professional accreditation in the mental health services.

The Professional Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy programme (IACP Recognised) provides comprehensive training that meets the required standards for professional accreditation (subject to the completion of post-diploma counselling hours as required by the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy).

The programme is cognitive-behavioural and integrative in approach embracing the concepts of Choice Theory, Person-Centred Counselling and Multicultural Counselling and Therapy. Due to the many (and varied) responsibilities adult learners carry, a system of student care and support of participants is integral to the training programme.

IICP also have established links with an on-site clinical placement in Killinarden, namely with the Village Counselling Service, which enables students to complete clinical hours (100 hours minimum) as required by IACP within an appropriate therapeutic setting.

PROGRAMME AIMS

• To introduce learners to a practical cutting-edge approach to mental health care and counselling.
• To encourage psychological wellbeing within the programme and empower and encourage support networks.
• To provide a warm and challenging environment where students can learn and grow.
• To enable learners to begin to develop a clear and transparent understanding of counselling and psychotherapy that is congruent with the principles associated with bone fide helping professionals.
• To encourage learners to view this course in the context of lifelong learning and personal as well as professional development.

PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES

• To augment learners’ interest and to enhance awareness and development in the field of counselling and psychotherapy and/or who work in the helping/caring professions.
• To introduce learners to models of counselling theory as they are applied to inpiduals in their various relational settings.
• To develop competencies in learners and give them an introduction into ethics in the counselling profession
• To develop learners’ counselling skills to enable them to improve communication and listening skills
• To offer learners the opportunity to work on personal development thus promoting self-awareness and personal growth congruent with professional practice.
• To understand the necessity of demonstrating respect and acceptance of the different ways that inpiduals from perse socio-economic class, gender and cultural-racial groups construct meaning.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants should be of mature learner age (age 23 years and older) and produce evidence of the same;

• Be able to articulate their interest in the therapeutic field and their reasons for pursuing this course of study; and
• Produce evidence of prior educational attainment (see application form for further details)
• Evidence of completion of a one year Certificate Programme in a cognate area of study 
• Entry onto the Diploma programme is through application and interview. Selection procedures will apply.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE:

The programme is highly interactive and taught through role-play, lectures, group-work and audio/video presentations. The ethos of the course reflects the Quality School model of CT/RT/LM, which promotes a warm, safe environment that is free from fear, criticism and coercion. Participants will have the opportunity to produce and participate in inpidual written assignments, group projects and group work. 

MODULE DESCRIPTORS

YEAR ONE - MODULE DESCRIPTORS 

• Theory of Counselling and Psychotherapy 1
• Advanced Microskills 1
• Personal Development 1
• Group Dynamics and Group Process 1
• Ethics and Values in the counselling relationship
• Counselling Supervision
• Developmental Psychology
• The Dynamics of Addiction

YEAR TWO MODULE DESCRIPTORS 

• Theory of Counselling and Psychotherapy 2
• Skills Training and Development 2
• Personal Development 2
• Group Dynamics & Group Facilitation 2
• Sociology and Equality Studies
• Clinical Placement and Professional Development 1
• Relationship Counselling
• Universal Issues in Counselling: Bereavement, Loss and Grief

FINAL SEMESTER MODULE DESCRIPTORS

• Clinical Placement and Professional Development 2
• Introduction to Research Methods
• Clinical Placement and Professional Development 3 
• Clinical Placement and Professional Development 4

AWARD:

This is an embedded programme. Learners complete the following awards:

• Higher Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapeutic Studies (QQI Award)
• Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP Award)
• BA in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy (QQI Award)

Following completion of the Diploma and BA, learners have the option of completing one additional year (seven extra modules) to achieve the award of BA (Hons) in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy.