FdA Integrative Counselling

Help others improve their wellbeing and quality of life by studying counselling. This programme will prepare you to become a professional counsellor and help you to help others cope with problems, such as mental health issues, bereavement and relationship issues. The modules you will study will be focused on person-centred counselling and current issues and best practice within the sector. You will be required to apply for BACP Student Membership, undertake 12 sessions of personal therapy within Level 4 (self-funded) and apply for an Enhanced DBS (provided by NCD).

Study Aims

Aims of the course are to:

• Meet the needs of voluntary and statutory organisations for appropriately trained and qualified Counsellors.
• Offer a robust and vocationally relevant degree in Counselling for a wide range of students from diverse backgrounds.
• Provide graduates with a base from which to pursue a career in Counselling.
• Provide graduates with a base from which to pursue personal accreditation with the BACP and an honours degree in Counselling.

The course content has been designed to ensure that graduates will be able to demonstrate the knowledge, understanding, skills and personal development necessary to counsel professionally.

Modules Studied

Level 4:Core Model – Develop your knowledge of Person-Centred Counselling and evaluate its concepts and application. Gain a detailed overview of the core model, a historical perspective will be provided alongside discussion of the current relevance of the theoretical and practical underpinnings of this model. ~ Integrating Other Theories in Practice - Explore a range of theories that can make up a more integrative approach to Counselling practice, with a focus on Cognitive Behavioural Theory (CBT). Develop your critical thinking skills through the assessment, comparison, and analysis of a variety of counselling theories, and link this to current research. ~ Integrative Counselling Skills - Apply the Person-Centred Approach and Integrative Theories in Counselling are, to develop the advanced skills required to build a therapeutic relationship. Reflect on and evaluate the effectiveness of your skills. Focus on learning interventions which will help you to initiate, maintain, develop and successfully end a counselling relationship. ~ Counselling Children and Young People - Gain the knowledge, understanding and skills to work with children and young people. You will be introduced to the main theories of development and presenting issues, as well as working creatively and the implications of therapeutic settings when working with children and young people and the limitations of the work. You will also develop and understanding of the legal, ethical, and safeguarding challenges of working with this client group. ~ Personal and Professional Development – Rigorously and critically reflect on your personal and professional development. You will be encouraged to reflect on your personal therapy sessions and the progress you have made, highlighting areas for further development. You will be asked to consider the legal and ethical implications of safe practice and limitations to knowledge and practice. The module will look at current development in counselling and progress

Times of Delivery

• Monday - 9am - 5pm

Any times indicated are based on current courses and may be subject to change in future years. Full timetables will be confirmed at the start of each course.

Teaching and Assessment

At Level 4, the teaching and learning strategies will allow you to develop the skills required for HE learning, and focus on the development of professional and personal counselling skills. At Level 5, the teaching and learning strategies used by tutors will continue to develop higher order intellectual skill of analysis but the focus will be on the development of evaluation and professional competence. This will be achieved through the use of a variety of mechanisms, particularly through the use of supervised counselling placements. Independent learning will be encouraged and supported. At Level 4, these activities will be in part tutor directed and at Level 5 students will be expected to undertake more independent learning. Part of your professional and personal development will involve undertaking of a range of self-assessment activities at the start of the programme to allow you to plan your learning. The teaching team will draw on the results of these initial activities to ensure all learning styles are captured.

Industry Links

We have links with industry meaning you have access to high quality placements opportunities and guest speakers who come into college to share current and up-to-date experience of counselling practice.

Placement

You will complete a placement of 100 supervised counselling hours, to develop your skills in a real working environment.

What else?

You will take part in supervised work placements to put your theory into practice and you will also have a residential weekend away during the first year of this course.

Entry Criteria

You will hold:

• GCSE maths and English
• Evidence of 120 hours of previous counselling training at Level 3 OR substantial and recent experience as a practitioner
• A clear enhanced DBS check
• Evidence towards possessing the skills and personal qualities needed to become a reflective practitioner
• The skills required to create supportive helping relationships in a paid or voluntary role. If you don't hold the standard qualifications, you could gain access to the programme if you have substantial counselling practice in an appropriate setting. You will need to: Have the skills and personal qualities which would enable them to become a reflective practitioner
• Be able to demonstrate an ability to study at foundation degree level
• Be able to engage in supportive, helping relationships
• Be able to undertake a specified number of mandatory supervised counselling placement hours.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): If you have previously studied on a similar award, and have gained higher education credit at an equivalent level, it may be possible to take this into account to gain exemptions from one or more modules.

Additional Costs

You may wish to purchase publications recommended on the reading list.

12 personal therapy sessions may cost around £360. Some counselling services offer sessions with no costs attached.

What are the next steps?

You will attend an interview at College with the course tutor. Please report to the NCD University Centre reception where you will be greeted by one of the team. You will be given information about the course, asked to participate in a group discussion, an individual piece of written work, and an interview.