Course structure
The course consists of seven modules taught over a period of two years. Study involves one day per week at the university, eight non-residential weekends, two two-day blocks in September of the second year and one further study day.
In addition to academic study, you need to complete 100 hours of supervised counselling practice in an approved clinical practice area. You are required to find your own clinical practice area and this will be discussed with you at interview. Clinical practice areas often provide clinical supervision as part of the clinical practice experience, however you may be required to pay for external supervision and we recommend that you factor this into the cost of the course.
You also need to undertake a course of personal therapy that lasts for the duration of the course, from October of year 1 to June of year 2 or until you finish the course if you have not fulfilled the course requirements, and we recommend that you factor in the cost of this therapy before your application.
Assessment consists of three written essays and two audio-taped assignments, one case study and a research proposal. You will also be asked to keep a reflective journal during the life of the course that focuses on academic and professional studies, clinical practice, training supervision and personal growth and development.
Areas of study
The course contains four major elements: academic and professional studies, clinical practice, training supervision and personal growth and development.
The course is designed to:
- provide a sound base of theory and practitioner attributes for those practising counselling
- illuminate theory and practice by drawing upon your personal experience
- promote the personal growth and self-awareness essential to successful counselling.
The philosophy of the course is based on the principle that there is no single presiding theory or model of counselling that commands widespread agreement and support, and that the practice of counselling cannot be separated from underlying values, theoretical assumptions and hypotheses concerning the nature of human experience and change.
Successfully completing this postgraduate diploma makes you eligible to apply to continue your studies on our Psychotherapy MSc.
Lab facilities
Mithras House has a series of lab rooms which can be used for teaching on your course or in your independent research work.
Life lab
A skills-based lab for practice-based teaching, social work, psychotherapy and counselling, and employability. The Life lab is fitted with lounge furniture to provide a comfortable space for conducting qualitative research with larger groups. The lab can be used to conduct research activities with children of all ages and can be used for meetings and events. The room also contains a dedicated space to conduct assessed role play or interviews with children.
City lab
This is a qualitative research methods and creative methods resource for all students, staff and researchers, as well as research participants, including children, community groups and the general public. It can also be used for meetings and events. The City lab contains a kitchen, a teaching/meeting room with enhanced acoustic isolation and two meeting spaces that can be separated with a screen or combined to accommodate larger groups.
Design lab
Housing our extensive collection of historic dress and textiles, which are used in some teaching on our History of Art and Design courses, this has the space and equipment for you to work on textile projects. Displays created by students on these programmes are on view in the social spaces of the building.
Community lab
The Community Lab is a flexible teaching space designed for collaborative student learning and for working on qualitative research projects with a range of participants.
Stats lab
The Stats Lab is a specialist workspace for carrying out statistical analysis, and video and audio editing projects. The Stats Lab is also used for workshops, demonstrations and seminars and can be used by students as a study space.
Applied cognition lab
A dedicated research space for psychological research involving measures such as electrodermal activity (EDA) and electroencephalography (EEG). The space is designed to allow the participant and researcher to sit at separate desks whilst psychophysiological data is being collected.
VR and eye tracking lab
The VR and Eye-Tracking Lab is used for psychological research using equipment, such as eye-trackers and virtual reality headsets. The space has adjustable lighting and a blackout blind for maintaining consistent lighting conditions during eye-tracking research, as well as sensors set up in the room to allow individuals to move freely around the room during virtual reality research.
Take a video tour of the labs with technicians Andrea and Grace
Preliminary reading
Students wishing to gain an understanding of the humanistic approach may wish to read some of the following texts.
- Bazzano M. and Webb J. (2016) Therapy and the Counter-Tradition: The edge of philosophy Routledge
- Bott D. and Howard P. (2012) The Therapeutic Encounter: A Cross Modality Approach Sage
- Largo C. and Charura D. (Eds) (2016) Person-Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy Handbook. Origins, Developments and Applications Open University Press
- Proctor G. (2017) Dynamics of Power in Counselling and Psychotherapy: Ethics, Politics and Practice (2nd Ed.) PCCS Books
- Sanders P. (2012) Tribes of the person-centred nation; a guide to the schools of therapy related to the person-centred approach (2nd Ed) Ross-on-Wye: PCCS Books
- Wilkins P. (2015) Person-Centred and Experiential Therapies: contemporary approaches and issues in practice Sage
When we are dealing with human beings, no truth has reality by itself; it is always dependent upon the reality of the immediate relationship
Rollo May, The Origins of the Existential Movement in Psychology, Existence (1958).
FAQs
Should I apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Humanistic Counselling and Psychotherapy or the Postgraduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy?
We can provide a few pointers for you, but ultimately you must make the decision. To help you differentiate between the two courses, you could attend an open day or do some reading around the relevant subject areas.
I haven’t studied psychology before. Does this matter?
No, it doesn’t. The humanistic course draws on a wide range of ideas and concepts. Humanistic counselling has as its base philosophy of mind. We do, however, require you to have spent a minimum of 30 hours on an accredited counselling skills course.
Does it matter that I’ve been out of education for a number of years?
No. Provided you meet all the requirements, you should be offered an interview for the course. Many of our students are returning to study after a few years away. In fact, the average age for the postgraduate diplomas is around 40.
I use counselling skills in my job as a nurse/social worker/teacher. Do I still have to take an introductory counselling course?
Yes, unless as a formal part of your training you took an assessed module in counselling skills. If so, you would need to provide full details of the module you took in the further information section on the application form.
Will my previous counselling or therapy count in lieu of the requirement to be in therapy during the course?
No. You will need to start therapy again with an approved therapist.
I know a counselling practice area is part of the course, but does the course guarantee to find me one?
No. We do have a list of clinical practice areas which previous students have gone to and we have good relationships with many local counselling agencies but the final responsibility lies with you. During the first semester we invite a number of practice managers/directors to come and talk about what they offer but you must make your own applications to agencies.