Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology Institute of Sport and Human Science Location Study mode Duration Start date Wolverhampton City Campus Full-time 3 year(s) 24/09/2018 Employability Counselling psychologists work in a range of settings, performing assessment and therapy with clients presenting with personal problems. They offer assessment and formulation work, followed by brief and long-term psychotherapies characterised by active collaborative relationship facilitating empowerment and change. Areas of work include the effects of childhood abuse, domestic violence, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosis and complex family issues. The skills of a counselling psychologist extend outside the therapeutic setting such as leading and developing mental health services, clinical supervision, legal settings, court and expert witness work and consultation with charities. Some examples of work settings are: NHS - including primary care; community mental health teams; tertiary settings for psychiatric in-patients; specialist services for older adults, those with eating disorders, personality disorders and learning difficulties; and in general healthcare settings where psychological services are offered. Prison and Probationary Services - social services; voluntary organisations; employee assistance programmes; occupational health departments; student counselling services, and as an independent consultant. As a private practitioner - engaging in therapy with those seeking therapy through insurance agencies or charities, providing clinical supervision, training placements, and consulting to solicitors and other organisations. Aims Our Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology is a fully- accredited practitioner training course leading to Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration and Chartered status with the British Psychological Society (BPS) through a programme of personal and professional development designed to develop competencies in the assessment and psychotherapeutic treatment of complex mental health issues. The vitality of the course comes from an experienced and supportive course team, passionate about empowerment in mental health. A foundation in humanist values, with
emphasis on an empathic therapist-client relationship as central to mental health work, allows an integrative framework for development of a range of clinical, research and reflective skills. Through the integration of theoretical training, research processes, critical approaches to psychopathology and reflective working you will learn to develop an integrative method of professional practice incorporating the latest developments in evidence-based practice at the forefront of mental health-care. Entry requirements Eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered status with the British Psychological Society (GBC) Normally a minimum of a 2.1 Honours degree in Psychology or its equivalent Normally possession of a qualification in counselling at least to certificate level. To have spent normally at least six months in relevant paid or voluntary work, using appropriate skills with clients on a face-to-face basis. This experience should normally have taken place within the last 5 years. A good standard of written and spoken English (IELTS 7.0 or its equivalent) Appropriate reference(s) Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS check) (previously CRB Clearance) Note: Overseas applicants must provide confirmation from the BPS that their degree has been recognised, and must normally possess a recognised qualification in counselling at least to certificate level accredited by a professional body. Please also note that to be eligible to apply for HCPC registration upon graduation you will need a minimum of IELTS 7.0 or equivalent. Enhanced DBS clearance is needed prior to entry onto the course, which must be self-funded. Successful completion of the selection process to include: interview, essay, case study, group exercise and synopsis of research. Personal Requirements All of the following: Self-awareness. Ability to make use of and reflect on life experience. Capacity to cope with emotional demands of the course. Ability to cope with intellectual and academic requirements.
Ability to form a helping relationship. Ability to be self-critical and use both positive and negative feedback. Some awareness of the nature of prejudice and oppression of minority groups. Why Wolverhampton? Our facilities include premium quality media suites, postgraduate and researcher-only learning suites, and specialist library support to enhance learning and reflective practice. We have developed a unique user-friendly online course guide and support forum, providing a clear understanding of the purpose and outline of the entire course, designed to allow course documentation to evolve and meet the ever changing needs of trainees. We offer support for developing presentation skills at the annual Division of Counselling Psychology (DCoP) conference, in addition to funding for attendance. The Counselling Psychology staff team is heavily engaged with the Division of Counselling Psychology and committed to furthering the profession to meet the ever-diversifying demands of professional practice. The core team shares responsibility for the running of the programme, and alternate directorship between teaching and research direction. Garrett Kennedy is programme director for the current programme, and sits on the BPS Division of Counselling Psychology Conference Committee. Continuing to be involved in the consultation and development of the new HCPC &BPS professional accreditation requirements, he works to ensure the profession of counselling psychology is at the forefront of critical mental healthcare. Victoria Galbraith is an active member of the BPS training committee for counselling psychology, as well as coeditor and chapter author for the 4th edition of the Handbook of Counselling Psychology (currently unpublished). She provided the public keynote lecture at the 2013 BPS Division of Counselling Psychology annual conference. In addition to the team s research and teaching expertise, we integrate the work of specialist placement supervisors and experts within the profession to work with us in providing the training experience. Research team There are opportunities to research topics across applied disciplines, including: applicability in clinical, counselling, health, forensic, occupational and organisational settings; disabilities; hearing impairments; cognitive, developmental, and cyber psychology; eating issues and eating disorders ; mental health; and complex client presentations. We have a large team of expert research supervisors, experienced in qualitative, quantitative and mixed research methods. They are a friendly and motivated department team, consisting of counselling psychologists and a wide range of applied psychologists experienced in researching clinical issues.
The Faculty of Education Health and Wellbeing series of seminars and lectures spans education, sport, care, psychology, health and wellbeing, bringing you a variety of engaging speakers and experts from the University of Wolverhampton and many other UK universities, visit www.wlv.ac.uk/fehw/lectures Accreditation This pathway constitutes professional counselling psychology training. Upon successful completion, students are eligible for Chartered Psychologist status with the BPS and are eligible for entry onto the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) register as Counselling Psychologists. Those wishing to practice the profession using the title 'Counselling Psychologist' must register with the HCPC upon completion of the course. Course Content Course structure The doctorate is studied full-time over 3 years, or part-time over 5 years. The course begins with a two-day residential at the end of September, which includes an overnight hotel stay providing the opportunity to meet members of your cohort, other year groups and staff members in an informal setting. Welcome Week activities and course induction follows, bringing key skills in preparation for the course, clinical placement and research. After induction, teaching is structured per week as follows for the full-time route*: Semester 1: September to December 3 University days, 1 day independent reading Semester 2: January to April 1 University day, 3 days placement, 1 day independent research Summer period: April to September 3 days placement, 1 day independent research *The part time route involves splitting Year 1 &2. Due to practicalities of part-time study, application to this route may only be made by exception as it requires increased independent self-direction. Applicants will need an existing MSc Psychology to be considered for this route. The course fee also includes: Residential stay at the beginning of the course. BPS accredited psychometric training (Level A) and critical approaches to using tests in clinical settings. EMDR training (Stage One) - accredited training.
Weekly clinical discussion groups, focusing on widening skills. Extensive electronic journal and ebook library. Teaching input from leaders in the field of counselling psychology. Training in leadership, LGBT issues, religion and spirituality, assessment and treatment of sex offenders, neuropsychology: working with clients suffering brain injury, psychopharmacology: drugs and medications, therapy in forensic settings, trauma focused CBT, introduction to providing supervision. Attendance at the annual BPS Division of Counselling Psychology conference, including accommodation and funding for resources if you choose to present. We also offer a wide range of additional training and research activities within the department, the majority of which are free for trainees. Modules Year 1 - Placement Preparation Psychological Theory and Therapy: Humanism Psychological Theory and Therapy: CBT Conducting and Interpreting Research Personal and Professional Development 1 Clinical Practice and Workshops 1: Psychopathology, Theory and Practice. Year 2 - Psychological Theory and Practice: Psychodynamic and Contemporary Approaches Theoretical Approaches: Lifespan, Developmental Psychology and Contexts Personal and Professional Development 2 Clinical Practice and Workshops 2: Issues and Skills in Counselling Psychology Doctoral Thesis. Year 3 - Psychological Theory and Therapy: Systemic and Family Therapy Personal and Professional Development 3 Clinical Practice and Workshops 3: Professional Issues Doctoral Thesis.