MSc Masters in Counselling & Psychotherapy

Program Overview

The MSc Counselling & Psychotherapy program emphasizes person-centered therapy, providing training in counseling, including theoretical, personal, professional development, and practical skills. Through a combination of large and small group formats, the program emphasizes the development of skills for in-person, online, and telephone counseling. Graduates have the potential for full-time or part-time positions in various settings, with opportunities for professional accreditation.

Program Outline

Outline:

• The MSc Counselling & Psychotherapy program emphasizes person-centered therapy throughout the course.
• Students undertake counseling training, including theoretical, personal and professional development, and practical/skills-based components.
• An integral part of the course is training students to work with clients in-person, online, and on the telephone.
• The counseling practice element of the training includes the following classes:
• The Therapeutic Relationship
• The Therapeutic Process
• Personality Theory
• Counseling Case Analysis
• Counseling Practicum
• Personal & Professional Development
• The Research Dissertation class involves training in counseling research methods and a write-up of a small empirical study, practical case study, or review of research.

Assessment:

• Assessment is through summative written assignments and formative assessments which draw on interactions within all the aspects of the course.

Teaching:

• The MSc will be delivered full-time over two years and delivered using a combination of large group formats (lecture/workshop/groupwork) and small group formats (supervision, personal and professional development groups) plus pre-recorded/streaming blended learning inputs.
• Students are expected to supplement class time with directed and self-directed learning and placement experience working with clients in community settings.
• The research class will be delivered with a combination of lectures on the main research methods in counseling research, and small group tutorials and independent work.

Careers:

• Graduates have the potential to move into full-time or part-time positions.
• They may also choose to continue working within the placement they undertook during the Masters, adding to their client experience.
• Most UK employers are looking for client-contact hours greater than the minimum 150 hours gained during training.
• Many students quickly gain part-time employment in agencies offering telephone counseling and also in employee assistance programs offering short-term counseling to their employees.
• Graduates are encouraged to work towards professional accreditation which also affords professional registration and recognition.
• A therapist requires 450 hours of practice to begin the accreditation process and the majority of counselors also engage in advanced professional development to broaden their professional profile while working towards accreditation.
• Ultimately, most counselors work in a mixture of part-time settings, such as paid part-time work in the NHS or voluntary sector, plus some private practice and/or gaining a qualification to do group work or professional supervision.
• Other choose to mix their practice with non-counseling employment.

Other:

• The Strathclyde Counselling & Psychotherapy Research Clinic has become an established and vital mental health service open to adults aged 16 years or older across the central belt of Scotland.
• Students are supported to organize their own counseling work placement opportunity by the team.
• The course includes a 3-day immersive residential, which is a mandatory element of the course.
• The residential is an important part of the course and aims to make it as engaging and supportive as possible.
• The intention is that trainees have some rare, protected time, while being supported by staff and peers to fully immerse themselves in their personal and professional growth and development.

• Scotland
Year 1: £5,250 Year 2: £4,200
• England, Wales & Northern Ireland
Year 1: £5,250 Year 2: £4,200
• International
Year 1: £12,444 Year 2: £9,956
• Additional costs
Students will incur the following course related costs: clinical supervision: £45-£60 for a student per session required every two weeks or one hour for every eight client hours. This must start late November. PVG: the ability to undertake client work is subject to you being a PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) Scheme member. The cost of the ‘Application to Join PVG Scheme’ and the ‘Existing PVG Scheme Member Application’ is met by students, currently £59 to join or £18 for existing members applying for a scheme update. recording equipment: approximately £80 This could cost from £45-£85 an hour. Other costs that might be incurred depending upon the student placement are: professional indemnity insurance: approximately £60 professional membership of BACP: approximately £80 Discounted membership, currently £80 a year, is usually available to students and information is available on their website. A small number of placement agencies ask that you join the BACP before you start with them.