Diploma DipHE Counselling (Year 1 of 2)

The course is studied over a period of two years and those who complete the required modules will gain the DipHE Counselling. This will enable students to either apply for work within a counselling organisation or independently as a qualified counsellor. The core theoretical perspective is Humanistic/Gestalt and students will study the following modules over the course of the 2 years:- - Professional Issues for the Developing Counsellor - Counselling Skills (Development and Practice) - Humanistic Approach to Counselling - Personal Development - Gestalt Theory and Practice (Double Module) - Exploring the Human Development Process - Client Work - Skills Clinic (double module) - Research into Counselling - Mental Health Issues - Specific Client Groups Please note: Students must attend a minimum of 80% of sessions. Students must also find a counselling placement as 100 hours of counselling practice is needed to complete the qualification. They will be individually assessed as to their readiness to start counting their counselling hours from the second semester onwards. 30 hours of personal therapy over the 2 years is a requirement. Assessment is continuous, being internally assessed by the teaching staff and externally examined by the Awarding Body. A variety of methods of assessment are incorporated into the course, as appropriate to both theoretical and practical situations i.e. Essays, reflective learning journals, observed role-play, group and individual presentations, counselling session transcripts, case studies etc. All criteria must be successfully met in order to complete the module. All modules must be completed to achieve the qualification. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and monitor and evaluate their own work and personal development. Students are engaged in personal and professional development connected to counselling training and may acquire other transferable skills i.e. Improved communication skills, problem solving, planning and scheduling, group working, research, essay and report writing and giving presentations. The qualification has been developed using British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) guidelines for counselling training programmes and the QAA subject benchmark statements. The knowledge and skills learned at this level will enable students to enhance their communication skills at work and embark on a career as a professional counsellor, working towards personal accreditation.The teaching style will be a mixture of didactic and facilitative methods with an emphasis on experiential and student-centred learning. Students will be encouraged to link and integrate the three strands of theory, skills and personal development. They will be engaged in both individual and group activities as well as small research and discussion groups.