Advanced Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Counselling

ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN HUMANISTIC INTEGRATIVE COUNSELLING

The Advanced Diploma is the final year of the two year BACP Accredited
Course. It is also open to students who have gained a Diploma in
Counselling from other institutions (see entry requirements). Students who
only take the Advanced year on its own will not be eligible for the BACP
Accredited Course Award, which requires a minimum of two years training
at CPPD.

Structure The Advanced Diploma is a one-year part time course spanning
three terms. Each term consists of 10 weekly evening seminars. The course
begins with an intensive weekend of study and also includes two further
weekends and three Saturdays. The year also includes attendance at
three weekend modules from the CPPD Short Course Programme: studying
eating disorders, working with survivors of abuse and short term counselling. In addition, trainees attend a monthly supervision group of three hours and a monthly individual supervision session. All students are also expected to complete a minimum of 100 client contact hours over the year.

PROGRAMME

Counselling Theory
The Advanced Diploma provides an arena for trainees to develop their
understanding of how Humanistic and Psychodynamic theory and
practice can be combined, in an effective coherent integrative framework.

Students will be introduced to:

• Object Relations Theory, with key concepts from Psychoanalytic sources
including Klein, Winnicott, Bion and Bowlby. They will deepen their
understanding of the application of the 5 Relationship Model (Petruska
Clarkson).
• They will be enabled to identify major areas of similarity and difference between Object Relations and Humanistic theories, especially in relation to
the Person Centred approach, as well as Gestalt, TA and Existential
counselling.
• They will explore the issue of personality disorders, contra-indications to
counselling and the effects of medication. Professional issues such as
Codes of Ethics and Practice, assessment, the organisational context of
clinical work, medical and legal issues will be explored.
• They will be made aware of the arguments for and against integration,
including the historical and philosophical underpinning of the Integrative
approach.

The theoretical training is imparted through didactic teaching, experiential
learning, case discussion, live supervision and student presentation.

Counselling Practice: Skills practice within the training group forms a major
part of the learning. Students will work in counselling pairs, triads and group
exercises. In deepening their ability to utilise advanced counselling skills,
students are also required to integrate theory into practice at a more
profound level. Live supervision remains an integral part of the learning
process, and has a key function in developing students' professional
competence.

Clinical Placement: The Advanced Diploma in Humanistic Integrative
Counselling requires students to undertake a further 100 hours of supervised client work. Students arrange this practice through statutory or voluntary placements, or through their own place of work. Students are expected to secure placements reflecting their areas of interest, and assistance and support will be offered where necessary. If appropriate, students may continue in their placement from the Diploma year.

Supervision: aims to assist trainees with integrating theory into practice,
and in their development as competent practitioners.

Students attend:
• a monthly one-hour individual supervision session
• a monthly three-hour group supervision session, with a maximum of three
students in the group.

Trainees' practice is supported in the individual and group supervision
through the presentation of clinical material, case discussion, awareness of
transference and counter-transference issues and practitioner/client roleplays

Assessment: is continuous throughout the year and includes elements of
self, peer and tutor evaluation. Students are required to successfully
complete three written assignments throughout the year (3000-3500 words
each). These include a theoretical essay, case study and a student
presentation, which is also submitted in essay format. Clinical practice is
supported through ongoing assessment by the clinical supervisor.

Assessment is based on the demonstration of skills through case
presentation of their work with clients, including the submission of three
audio-taped counselling sessions, as well as active participation within the
whole group and in skills based exercises. Students are expected to attend
every session and a minimum attendance of 80% is required for the
Advanced Diploma to be issued.

DATES AND TIMES
• Two intakes yearly (Spring and Autumn)
• Each intake begins with an introductory weekend followed by three
terms of Thursday or Tuesday evenings, 6-9.30pm plus two further weekends and three Saturdays, together with three short course modules.