Diploma in Counselling Skills (Access Course)

Programme Manager: Lynsey Hotchkies
Venue: 23 Magdalen Street, London SE1 2EN
Fee:

This course is designed for individuals who are interested in training to be Psychodynamic Psychotherapists or Counsellors. Students will be able to practise their counselling skills within a psychodynamic framework. The course also provides an opportunity to develop appropriate study skills, including how to write papers linking theory to practice, how to process and record sessions and how to use supervision.

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Further Details

This Diploma will not qualify the student to practise as a professional counsellor. However, obtaining it will enhance your knowledge and use of counselling skills. It provides a very valuable foundation for professional training as a psychodynamic counsellor or psychotherapist.

Course Description

The course consists of theoretical seminars, skills practice seminars and experiential groups. Each session consists of two seminars and one experiential group. Each week the first seminar is theoretical and relevant academic papers are discussed in the large group.

In the second seminar students practise counselling skills, using role plays, experiential exercises and video work in relation to the following themes:

• the importance of ethics and boundaries
• human growth and development, from birth onwards
• understanding  unconscious and conscious processes when using counselling skills
• exploring the client's inner world and contextual, social, cultural, racial and familial issues
• the development of study skills
• preparation for psychodynamic counselling training

Group Sessions

In their groups, students will be able to explore feelings and relationships and learn about individual and group dynamics and process. These unstructured group sessions are supported by a group facilitator.

Timetable

This is a 7 month, part-time intensive course starting in January of each year. It comprises three weekend modules and once-weekly sessions across two eleven week terms. The weekly sessions take place on Thursday mornings from 9.30am - 2.00pm.

Term 1: week commencing 12th January 2012 - 22nd March 2012

Term 2: week commencing 26th April 2012 - 5th July 2012

1. Weekend Module I: 14th & 15th January 2012, 10.00am - 4.00pm
2. Weekend Module II: 17th & 18th March 2012, 10.00am - 4.00pm
3. Weekend Module III: 7th & 8th July 2012, 10.00am - 4.00pm

Due to the concentrated nature of this course there will be no half term break. Applicants are advised that 100% attendance is expected.

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Selection Criteria and Application

• The course is open to students who have successfully completed or expect to complete the Introduction to Counselling & Psychotherapy (Certificate in Counselling Skills), or an equivalent course.
• Applicants must be prepared to adhere strictly to the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy Code of Ethics for those Using Counselling Skills.
• There is no requirement for applicants to be in personal therapy. However, personal therapy with a WPF Therapy approved therapist and practical experience of using counselling skills in a voluntary or paid capacity will be considered favourably.
• Please note that applicants for professional training as a psychodynamic psychotherapist or counsellor will be required to start personal therapy
• Students will be selected on the basis of a written application, interview and a reference from the Seminar Leader of their Introduction to Counselling & Psychotherapy (Certificate course in Counselling Skills) or an equivalent.

Written and Spoken English

Please note all applicants must be fluent in written and spoken English.  These are the qualifications in English regarded by WPF Therapy as an acceptable minimum level of competence:

• British Council IELTS at 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any band (see www.ielts.org)
• GCSE grade C
• Cambridge Proficiency Certificate grade C
• Cambridge Advanced Certificate grade C (with no less than 'weak' in any band)

WPF Therapy may require proof prior to the offer of a place.

Assessment

• Assessment will be continuous throughout the year. Students will be required to submit two written papers (approximately 2,500 words each) linking psychodynamic theory to the use of counselling skills.

Further information and application forms are available from the Programme Administrator, Tamica Neufville, at training@wpf.org.uk or 020 7378 2053.

An individual training consultation can be arranged for a fee of £40.

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