Counselling Psychology - Professional Doctorate

In the first year of the course, the therapeutic approach is relational, and we expect you to adopt and practice this approach in your placements. In Year 2 we focus on the CBT approach, and again we expect you to apply this to your placements. In Year 3, you get to explore your own identity as a counselling psychologist through modules on integration, and the modules on advanced theory and practice in counselling psychology, include teaching on supervision, leadership, psychometrics and neuropsychological assessment.

If you don't complete the Professional Doctorate route, you may be eligible for a Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate in Psychotherapeutic Studies, or a Master's in Psychological Therapy.

Year 1

• Principles of Counselling Psychology - this module introduces the fundamental values and ethos of counselling psychology, with a strong focus on ethics and diversity.
• Theory and Practice in Counselling Psychology 1 - a look at the relational aspects of therapy.
• Personal and Professional Development 1 - involving practice placements and personal reflection.
• Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Psychology - this module covers advanced methods in qualitative and qualitative analysis, ensuring that students have the essential skills for carrying out their research.
• Systemic Thinking and Practice in Counselling Psychology - this module covers issues around working with couples, families and groups. Thus it gives the students the basis for extending their practice beyond the core emphasis on 1:1 work with individuals.
• Research Methods in Counselling Psychology - this module contextualises research with the field of counselling psychology, covering additional advanced methods, It also provides support for students in developing their initial research ideas, and guides them through the various ethical processes.

Year 2

• Theory and Practice in Counselling Psychology 2 - a look at the CBT approach.
• Personal and Professional Development 2 - further development through practice placements and personal reflection, based on CBT.
• Exploring Client Issues in Counselling Psychology - this module explores key issues which are frequently presented in psychotherapy, for example anxiety, depression and substance use. It also considers mental health issues, such as trauma and psychosis.
• Professional Issues in Counselling Psychology - this module will present a critical oversight of current issues within the profession, such as the current emphasis on empirically supported treatments. It will also consider current work contexts, including multi-disciplinary working and current structures within the National Health Service.

Year 3

• Personal and Professional Development 3 - here we begin to integrate current relational and CBT approaches in applied practical and personal contexts.
• Advanced Theory and Practice in Counselling Psychology - studies and learning that bring relational and CBT perspectives and practices together.
• Professional doctorate thesis and viva examination

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved we will inform you.

We use a wide range of teaching and learning methods to give you the best combination of personal, peer and applied learning. These include lectures, group discussion, group work, role-play, skills work, demonstrations, trainee presentations, supervised clinical practice, personal therapy and personal development activities.

For more details see our glossary of teaching and learning terms.

As a full-time student, you attend two days each week in Year 1 (currently Monday and Tuesday) and one day a week in Years 2 and 3 (currently Thursday).

If you study this course part-time, you attend one day each week in Years 1-3 (currently Monday in Year 1, Tuesday in Year 2 and Thursday in Year 3). There is a four-year study option where you attend one day each week in Year 4, on a Thursday. The five-year option requires you to attend a half day each week in Years 4 and 5, both on a Thursday.

We assess taught modules through coursework and assessment under controlled conditions. Practice assessment is through direct observation, case studies, process reports, supervision groups and placement reports.

For your research, you submit a 30,000 - 40,000 word doctoral thesis of an original piece of research, examined by viva voce.

For more details see our full glossary of assessment terms.