DIPLOMA IN INTEGRATIVE THERAPEUTIC COUNSELLING - LEVEL 5
EQUIPPING CHRISTIANS TO PROVIDE COUNSELLING IN THE COMMUNITY
Applicants who have successfully completed the Heart & Mind - Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills & Theory (or equivalent) may apply for the Diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling (Level 5).
The diploma offers training in a variety of recognised counselling models, as well as skills development, understanding the professional and ethical frameworks for counselling and gives graduates the opportunity to progress towards becoming competent professional counsellors within both the Christian community and wider world. The qualification is sufficient, with further practice hours, to gain accreditation as a qualified counsellor with the Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC) UK, and/or the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP).
KEY INFORMATION
Qualification Level: Level 5
Prerequisite: Heart & Mind, Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills & Theory (or equivalent)
Study mode: Part-time (blend of online and face-to-face)
Duration: 2 years
Hours: 405 guided learning hours (GLH) plus 100 clinical hours
Day & Time: Fridays 9:00 - 17:00
Costs: Total £6000.00 for the 2 year course, including £50.00 application fee (non refundable)
Please note: This course doesn’t qualify for government student finances (student loans)
Next course: September 2025
COURSE LOCATION
Institute of Family Therapy
Lower Ground Floor
1-4 Great Tower Street
London EC3R 5AA
COURSE COSTS
Total course costs: £6000.00*
If accepted on the course we will ask you to pay a deposit fee of £500.00 to reserve your place. The non-refundable deposit is payable within 14 days of receiving the acceptance letter. The application and deposit will be deducted from the total course costs.
The remaining course fees are due before the initial training day. However we have an option to pay the remaining fees in a variety of direct debit instalments i.e. yearly, termly or 15 or 19 monthly direct debits.
*The total course fees include the Training Handbook and the registration fee with the validating body CPCAB but does not include external supervision and personal therapy.
COURSE OVERVIEW
COURSE UNITS
The Therapeutic Relationship: Understanding of the complexities and significance of the relationship between counsellor and client; recognition that people are different and respect for cultural, spiritual and sexual differences is paramount in counselling; recognition that relationships can harm as well as heal and the value of healthy healing relationships.
Cognitive-Behavioural Approaches: CBT is well researched and is currently the treatment of choice for many psychological difficulties; you will come to understand the essential components of CBT and the appropriate applications within a counselling relationship.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: You will understand the history of SFBT, its core components, techniques and skills; and potential limitations.
Systemic Approaches to Counselling: From the world of family therapy the systemic approaches help us understand our clients in context; key influences in their life may come from family and culture which may be limiting their opportunities; you will learn a range of systemic skills and applications including the possibility of working with couples.
Psychodynamic Approaches: Understanding the significance and influence of the unconscious (including Freud’s original structure of the mind); working with defences; transference and counter-transference; and other useful clinical applications.
Christ-Centred Approaches to Counselling: Understanding the relevance of Christ-centeredness; concepts and principles of various Christian approaches; and ethical practice when working within a Christian spirituality and beyond.
Working with Children and young people: While the majority of this course is designed for counselling of adults; we include a module on the unique needs of children and relevant approaches to counselling younger clientele.
Online Counselling: With the post Covid shift to online working we will look at the potential of e-therapy; the use of phone and internet-mediated counselling and psychological support; the limitations, opportunities, ethical considerations and advantages of using video, chat, and email counselling will be considered and practised.
Ethics and Professional Issues: Understanding the ACC and BACP ethical frameworks is essential for the developing counsellor; the role of supervision; understanding legal issues and ethical boundaries pertaining to issues of faith, best practice and personal beliefs are all considered.
Introduction to Counselling Research: understanding importance and relevance of research in counselling; differentiating between qualitative and quantitative research; ethical implications for conducting research; preparing a research proposal, relevant literature and producing a research project.
Complex Issues: Working with addictions, trauma, abuse, pregnancy crisis, sexuality, loss, grief, and bereavement are all considered.
Diversity & Cross-Cultural Issues: The influence of contextual issues such as gender, race, age, culture, education, sexuality, and spirituality are all considered; the impact of difference on the therapeutic relationship and counsellor’s fears and prejudices.
Spirituality and Mental Health: Understanding the relevance and potential limitations of DSM-5/ICD-11 (mental health diagnostic criteria); the role of counselling; and a biblical perspective of mental health issues.
Advanced Clinical Skills & Counselling Practice: Understanding the range of counselling skills and core competencies; developing and maintaining therapeutic counselling relationships; practising professional counselling with several clients, maintaining logs and making use of appropriate supervision.
Integration: It is essential that each developing counsellor reflects on their own strengths and weakness, preferences and areas of interest; opportunity is given to the considered integration of all learning throughout the course as each student begins to identify their own approach to integrative counselling.
COURSE RECOGNITION
The course is a Level 5 training accredited with CPCAB (Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body).
The total number of training hours is 405 ‘Guided Learning Hours’ consisting of lectures, seminars, and group work. The student will need to invest a minimum of 3.5 hours of personal study for each training day involving reading, essay writing and assignment preparation. In addition, the student will need to complete 100 hours of face to face client work with at least 5 different individuals and have adequate supervision for this clinical work. All our Diploma students will need to experience a minimum of 25 hours of personal therapy (over the 2 years) to look at issues in their own life, this provides external support while undertaking the training and essential experience in the role of being a client.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be at least 20 years of age and will have successfully completed our Heart & Mind, Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills & Theory (or equivalent).
An interview will be required during which a successful applicant will demonstrate their capacity to care for others and show a willingness to commence client work within a counselling placement or service. They will also show a commitment to study at Diploma level and to develop their counselling skills as well as the personal and professional qualities essential for a counselling career.
Successful applicants will show a level of emotional maturity, self-awareness, and stability to cope with the demands of academic work and the additional course requirements. This course is not suitable for people currently suffering from severe emotional or psychological difficulties and we reserve the right to refuse admission to those whom we consider unsuitable for this course.
TUTORIALS AND LEARNING SUPPORT
While we expect the majority of students are able to work on their own, we limit the number of students on each course, so we are able to offer extra support if needed. Throughout the course, tutors are available for tutorials to discuss taught material and offer guidance for students needing extra help in their learning journey.
ASSESSMENT
There are no timed or written exams, however there are several written assignments all of which have deadlines for submission and include a mixture of written and practical work: There are also weekly learning records to maintain, an annual personal development summary, essays related to lecture material, a case study, a clinical tape & verbatim analysis, a research project, small group and classroom presentations. A comprehensive student handbook outlining the course content, recommended reading, criteria and requirements is made available to each student.
TRAINING TEAM & LECTURERS
The Heart & Mind training team has many years of experience in designing, setting up and delivering accredited professional counselling training.
The diploma course is overseen by Richard Lahey-James and assisted by a training team made up of a number of experienced and qualified counsellors, trained in various approaches to counselling and psychotherapy and accredited with professional bodies such as the Association of Christian Counsellors UK (ACC), British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). Course delivery is provided by the training team and guest lecturers who are experienced in their chosen field.
ATTENDANCE
To successfully complete the course, you will need to pass all assignments (resubmissions are allowed), complete all course work and have a minimum attendance of 80% at all lectures and training days.
PROGRESSION
After course completion, students may progress onto higher education or work towards applying for counsellor accreditation with the Association of Christian Counsellors UK (ACC) or the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). However, in order to gain full accreditation with any of these bodies, candidates will have to meet all other ACC or BACP requirements including further hours of supervised counselling practice beyond the duration of the course.
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APPLICATION
ALL PLACES FOR OUR SEPTEMBER 2024 DIPLOMA INTAKE ARE TAKEN AND WAITING LIST IS CLOSED
APPLICATION PROCESS OPENS 1ST MARCH, 2025 - PLEASE NOTE: NO NEW APPLICATIONS ARE CONSIDERED BEFORE THIS DATE
1. FILL IN THE APPLICATION FORM
Complete the training application form, providing us with some information about yourself and what you are hoping to achieve through the training.
2. PAY THE APPLICATION FEE
Pay the training application fee of £ 50.00 (non-refundable)
To pay your application fee by Electronic Bank Transfer please transfer the fee to:
Heart and Mind Ltd
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