Diploma in Integrative Counselling

This is a part-time course running for 3.5 hours per week over 2 years.

In addition to this there are also full day skills training, and a residential weekend.

Students will need to find a placement, having 100 client hours over the two years, and have 20 hours of their own personal therapy.

This course is suitable for those who wish to become qualified counsellors

The fee for the Diploma in Integrative Counselling course is £1200 per year.

Aims and outcomes of the counselling programme:

1. Counselling and communication skills
2. Counselling theory and conceptual learning
3. Self-awareness and personal development
4. Applying skills and theory to practice
5. Knowledge of contextual factors e.g. Culture agency.
6. Counselling specialisms.

Dryden et al, (1989) Handbook of Counselling in Britain Routledge.

These elements are built into the overall course structure.

Target outcomes

The fundamental outcome for the course is the establishment of a sound, competent and ethical base for practice. The Diploma level is concerned with the training of counsellors to a professional level of competency. At Diploma level every aspect of training is covered in more depth, building on the knowledge, skills and self-development gained on the Certificate course or its equivalent. (See notes on entry requirements).

In addition to classroom-based work, students will be aided to find appropriate placements for counselling practice where they will be expected to complete 100 hours training. Students will be required to have regular and ongoing supervision with a qualified supervisor in accordance with BACP recommendations of 1.5 hours per month. (See notes on placements and supervision requirements).

By the end of the Diploma level course the candidate will have become a skilled reflective practitioner. They will be able to consistently evaluate their work and integrate their learning as a part of their professional being.

Specific aims

1. To meet, when combined with the skills course, the training contact hours requirement for basic training at BACP level for recognition as a qualified counsellor.
2. To provide further developed skills, including a 100 hour practice component under supervision.
3. To create a reflective practitioner.
4. To deepen the knowledge base about counselling and psychological theory which is needed to underpin counselling practice. In particular to examine an integrative way of working (to include person-centred, psychodynamic and CBT)
5. To give an understanding of the main ethical issues for counselling.

At the end of the course candidates will:

1. Be able to practice as a competent qualified counselling practitioner eligible to start meeting the requirements for full individual accreditation by the BACP.
2. Subscribe to the current Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy.
3. Provided they fulfil and pass the required assessment criteria, to be eligible for the award of a Diploma in Counselling from the Counselling Society.

Outcomes

By the end of the course, candidates should be able to:

Use a range of counselling skills consistently, specifically:

• Initiating a counselling interaction (contracting, confidentiality with limitations, time boundaries, organisational requirements)
• Using active listening skills learned to function competently in the counselling interaction.
• Concluding each individual session and ending a series of sessions.

1. Present an adequate understanding of the counselling process, including client assessment and intervention planning.
2. Show that they understand what is meant by ethical practice and how it relates to their own work.
3. Demonstrate a commitment to anti-oppressive practices and non-discriminatory use of counselling skills.
4. Articulate their own philosophical approach to counselling to conceptualise case material and the counselling process and to show a deep understanding of an integrative model of counselling.
5. Reflect constructively on themselves, their own life experiences, and their interactions with others and evidence their own personal and professional growth processes.