Overview of 3rd Year MSC Programme 2018-2019

The first two years of the Persona programme constitutes the Post Graduate Diploma in Psychological Wellbeing, Counselling and Psychotherapy. The programme is founded on the principles and philosophy of the Person-Centred Approach and is designed to support students to become proficient, ethical reflective practitioners. The third year of the programme constitutes an MSc in Psychological Wellbeing, Counselling and Psychotherapy and is designed to support students to build on their learning and development by focusing on a particular area of counselling specialism. Different specialist pathways are offered to reflect advances in research and the demands of the profession. The third-year programme offers three areas of specialist study:

Option 1 Counselling in a Health-Care setting; Working with Anxiety and Depression

Option 2 Counselling Children and Young People; Working in Educational Settings

Option 3 Counselling Couples; Working with Relationships (this option is not available in 2018-2019)

The programme structure for each specialist area is as follows:

Module 7: Working with specialist specific theories for understanding and working with this client group

Module 8: Developing therapeutic competence and clinical effectiveness in working with this client group

Module 9: Developing effective professional reflectiveness and a reliable self-critiquing ability which can be tested in reflective exchanges with others.

Each module will run concurrently throughout the programme.

Option 1 Counselling in a Health-Care setting; Working with Anxiety and Depression

This option specifically focuses on anxiety and depression which is the single biggest category of difficulties in the area of psychological well-being and mental health and is frequently a key presenting issue in a range of client groups in different settings. The module will consider a range of clinical programmes delivered within the NHS/IAPT for example; Mindfulness, (MBSR) Counselling for Depression (CfD) and will provide an in-depth examination of different bodies of research which explore the causal factors of anxiety and depression and consider different forms of treatments.

Option 2 Counselling Children and Young People; working in educational settings

This option will focus on examining at depth key theoretical frameworks for working therapeutically with children and young people and will provide an advanced investigation of evidenced based interventions in this specialism. This option will examine the development from child to adolescent to adult, looking at physiological, emotional, behavioural and mental development. It will consider the signs and symptoms of when mental health and/or wellbeing and resilience are adversely affected. It will investigate how counselling supports the young person to develop their own resilience when dealing with difficulties and adversity.

Programme Structure

Module 7: The Consideration of Specialist Theory

This area of study is supported by facilitated presentations, tutorials and guided study, provided during programme Study Days

  • An in-depth examination of specialist related theory
  • Examination of research findings relevant to the specialism
  • Examination of specialist interventions in working with clients in this client group
  • Examination of effectiveness of approaches and interventions with this client group
  • Examination of the ethical issues relevant to this specialism
  • Examination of the impact of this study on their own practice

Assessment

  • Review with Academic Tutor: end of Term 1
  • Review with Academic Tutor: end of Term 2
  • Written Assignment: An examination of chosen area of study in relation to this specialism:

Word Count: 5000, submission in Term 2

Module 8: Developing Therapeutic Competence and Clinical Effectiveness:

Students are required to complete 50 hours of specialist practice supported by group supervision provided during programme study days and 10 hours of specialist individual supervision provided by a supervisor recommended by the programme.

  • Clinical Supervision: group, individual
  • In-depth analysis and discussion of client work
  • Integration of theory into practice through supervision process
  • Addressing issues, dynamics, challenges and blocks to change characteristic of this specialist client group
  • Developing a clear clinical rationale for different specialist interventions

Assessment

  • Presentation of a recorded session with client in group supervision
  • Written Assignment: Case Study: 4000 words submitted after 30 hours of clinical practice
  • Presentation of Clinical Portfolio at the end of Term 2
  • Review with group supervisor at the end of Year 1 and Year 2
  • Report from individual supervisor, confirming fitness to practice at the end of Term 2
  • Completion of 50 hours of counselling + 10 hours of individual supervision

Module 9: The Reflective Specialist and the development of Specialist Practice

This area of study is supported reflective practice groups provided during the programme Study Days

  • Developing a reliable self-critiquing ability
  • Reflecting on patterns of behaviour which impact on others
  • Reviewing beliefs and views which are actively involved in the therapeutic alliances
  • Demonstrating critical awareness of strengths and areas of development
  • Identifying and working with client transference and therapist countertransference

Assessment

  • Active participation in peer review process
  • Maintenance and presentation of a Reflective Learning and Practice Journal: Word count 2500

Submission after the completion of 30 hours of clinical practice

  • Presentation of a Peer Reviewed Statement of Professional Development demonstrating ability to process, self-analyse and self-monitor. Word Count 2500. Presented at the end of Term 2

Programme Delivery:

Each Study Day will consist of the following learning activities and be structured as follows:

9.00 – 10.15Course Community Meeting (both specialisms work together as one group)

10.30 – 1.00 Specialist Theory (each specialism works separately in their specialist group)

1.45 – 3.45Clinical Supervision (each specialism works separately in their specialist group)

4.00 – 5.00Reflective Practice (both specialisms work together as one group)

Programme Dates – Venue TBC

13th October 2018

20th October 2018

27th October 2018

3rd November 20118

Study Break

17th November 2018

24th November 2018

1st December 2018

8th December 2018

Christmas Break

19th January 2019

26th January 2019

2nd February 2019

9th February 2019

16th February 2019

Study Break

2nd March 2019

9th March 2019

16th March 2019

23rd March 2019

Easter Break

27th April 2019

11th May 2019

Course Fees

The overall cost of the programme is £3,000. Following interview and offer of place, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £500 within four weeks to guarantee your place on the course. After the initial deposit is paid the remaining course fees of £2,500 should be paid by Friday September 14th. Or alternatively 2 payments can be made with an administration fee of 5%

Application

To request an application form please email Completion of an application form and receipt of 2 references are required before an informal interview can be arranged with one of the course directors. Please note there will be a minimum number of students required for the programme to commence.