Holistic Counselling & Psychotherapy
The main aims of this 4-year, part-time, Level 8 Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Holistic Counselling and Psychotherapy are to provide adult learners with the opportunity to explore and develop their interest in the field of holistic counselling and psychotherapy and to, thereby, become competent, compassionate, ethical, professional practitioners. At ICPPD, self-awareness is seen as vital to personal and professional development and is encouraged and promoted throughout this and all programmes offered.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | Minor Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
| NFQ Classification | Minor |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 8 NFQ |
| Minor Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Minor | QQI | Level 6 NFQ |
Duration
4 year, Part time
Schedule
Athlone and Galway:
Delivered every second weekend during the academic year; Saturday and Sunday (9.30am-5.00pm).
Clinical Practice support may be scheduled on a Friday evening.
Dublin:
The programme runs 1 midweek day every week during the academic year. Clinical Practice/In-house Supervision sessions may be scheduled for an alternative evening.
(10am – 5pm)
Contact admin@icppd.com for further timetable information
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Application is limited to mature learners who have evidence of a minimum of ONE of the following:
being a professional working in the field, or related disciplines
being able to demonstrate a level of maturity of being able to reflect on their personal development experience (evidenced through a portfolio of prior learning, personal development, life experience, community work, etc)
successful completion of an Introduction to Counselling and Psychotherapy programme, or equivalent
successful completion of an Irish Leaving Certificate (with 5 O6/H7s (ord pass), including English and Maths), or equivalent.
Where English is the applicants second language, they must provide acceptable proof of English proficiency. The English language proficiency tests and scores which are considered acceptable for ICPPD programmes is 6.5 IELTS, or equivalent. (https://www.ieltsdublin.com/ )
Applicants are also required to have appropriate IT skills to facilitate their engagement with the programme and have a computer with internet access to facilitate some online delivery of programmes if scheduled.
ICPPD is responsible for ensuring learners’ ongoing Fitness to Practice, in terms of mental and physical health, behaviour and character. Therefore, progression through the programme is at the discretion of the College.
Further information
Commencement
September 2023. Contact admin@icppd.com for timetable information
Venues
ATHLONE:
Coláiste Chiaráin, Summerhill, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 AH97
GALWAY:
GCI House, Salthill, Co. Galway, H91 CDW4
DUBLIN:
Zest Life College, Earlscourt Industrial Estate, 1a Beaumont Ave, Churchtown Upper, Dublin 14. D14 E0F4
Course Fees
Fees for this programme are comparative to those for similar programmes delivered nationwide.
Course Fees: €4,300 per annum
Course Fees include –
Processing of Garda Vetting
Professional Insurance for clinical work as a
trainee counsellor/psychotherapist.
Fees may increase in line with consumer price index.
Please note that an additional QQI Certification Fee of €200 also applies in the final year Payment plan options are available for learners – please contact accounts@icppd.com for more information.
Interview fee €100
Additional Costs
Please note that there are also additional costs for mandatory associated programme activities.
16th August 2023. Please contact admin@icppd.com to enquire about other upcoming dates
Entry is by submission of an Application Form and all applicants are subject to interview. All participants on this programme will be required to undertake National Vetting procedures (Form NVB1) prior to commencing their Clinical Practice. NOTE: Health screening may additionally be required.
Learning Outcomes
The programme aims and learning outcomes provide adult learners with the opportunity to explore and develop their interest in the field of holistic counselling and psychotherapy and to, thereby, develop into competent, compassionate, ethical, professional practitioners.
Programme Objectives
The objectives of this 4-year Level 8 programme are to:
Develop and expand the learner’s self-awareness, knowledge, skills and clinical experience through engagement with, and experiential immersion in, the programme
Provide comprehensive education and training in the theory, skills and related therapeutic processes required for holistic counselling and psychotherapy practice
Enable the learner to explore and deepen their knowledge of mental health issues, including addiction, and trauma-related matters, supported with an awareness of the complex ethical implications and good practice involved
Introduce and broaden learner’s comprehension and experience of the use of creative processes and bodywork in holistic counselling and psychotherapy
Promote evidence-based practice through robust research in the field of holistic counselling and psychotherapy
Facilitate the learner in achieving relevant client work to meet requirements of the QQI Awards Standards – Counselling and Psychotherapy (2014)
Syllabus Content
This programme supports participants to develop self-awareness, knowledge, skills and competencies of counselling and psychotherapy from an integrative perspective and is unique in its holistic/spiritual/creative focus.
The programme consists of the following modules:
Year 1
BAHCP8_101 – Learning to Learn
BAHCP8_102 – Personal Development
BAHCP8_103 – Introduction to Theory of Counselling and Psychotherapy
BAHCP8_104 – Person-Centred Approach
BAHCP8_105 – Counselling Skills and Practice
BAHCP8_106 – Lifespan Development and the Journey Principle
BHACP8_107 – Holistic Approaches
BAHCP8_108 – Cognitive Behavioural Approaches
BAHCP8_109 – Group Process
Year 2
BAHCP8_201 – Gestalt Approach
BAHCP8_202 – Ethics and Legal Issues
BAHCP8_203 – Research Skills
BAHCP8_204 – Loss and Bereavement
BAHCP8_205 – Advanced Counselling Skills
BAHCP8_206 – Psychodynamic Perspectives
BAHCP8_207 – Group Process
Year 3
BAHCP8_301 – Psychosynthesis Psychotherapy
BAHCP8_302 – Abnormal Psychology and Mental Health issues
BAHCP8_303 – Family and Systemic Processes
BAHCP8_304 – Professional Development
BAHCP8_305 – Research Methods
BAHCP8_306 – Group Process
BAHCP8_307 – Clinical Practice 1
Year 4
BAHCP8_401 – Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy
BAHCP8_402 – Trauma and Body Psychotherapy
BAHCP8_403 – Understanding Psychopathology
BAHCP8_404 – Research Project
BAHCP8_405 – Clinical Practice 2
The College reserves the right to amend the list of modules being offered on this programme.
Assessment Strategies for this programme include:
- Keeping a reflective journal during the programme, creative portfolios.
- Written essays, assignments, reports and reflective pieces on topics related to the holistic counselling and psychotherapy theory and skills presented.
- Role-playing and scenarios demonstrating your holistic counselling and psychotherapy skills.
- Ongoing and continuous assessment by programme lecturer.
- Examination of one module in year 2 through a formal two-hour examination.
Award
This Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Holistic Counselling and Psychotherapy, 4-year, NFQ-Level 8 programme – 240 ECTS – is validated by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and accredited by IACP.
NOTE: Learners who successfully complete the first year of the programme and no longer wish to continue their studies on this programme may apply for an exit award of Certificate in Holistic Counselling and Psychotherapy (60 ECTS, part-time, Level 6, Minor (exit) Award).
Programme Delivery
ICPPD is committed to delivering our BA (Hons) in Holistic Counselling and Psychotherapy programme in an experiential classroom environment. The preferred mode of delivery is in face-to-face delivery however in compliance with and following guidance of IACP and QQI requirements, or in extraordinary circumstances, an online class environment may partially facilitate synchronous learning and the teaching and delivery of the programme.
Academic and Professional Requirements
In addition to meeting the academic requirements of the programme, learners are required to meet all of the relevant professional requirements, including those which determine fitness to practice.
Personal Therapy
Learners are required to have completed a minimum of 80 sessions of personal counselling with an acceptable accredited therapist during the 4 years of this programme. A minimum of 20 hours in each academic year is required and a minimum of 40 sessions of which must be completed before clinical work commences.
Supervision
During Clinical Practice, learners are required to complete 1 hour of supervision for every 5 hours of client work, with a minimum of 1 supervision session/month.
By the end of year 4, learners are required to have completed a minimum of 24 supervision hours and 1-hour initial consultation with an acceptable accredited external supervisor.
ICPPD also provides in-house group supervision, as required by the relevant professional bodies.
Note: An additional fee is payable by the learner for supervision (to their external clinical supervisor).
Additional (Integrated) Personal Development
During the programme, learners are invited to lead mini reflections/retreats as part of their creative and spiritual development. Throughout the first 3 years of the programme learners participate in, and experience group process as part of their personal and professional development.
Integration Retreat Day
A mandatory Integration retreat day will be secluded at the end of year 4. This will encore an additional fee.
Clinical Placement
From the beginning of year 3 to the end of year 4, learners are required to have completed 120 client sessions, under supervision in a suitable placement, and meet all other modules’ requirements. ICPPD provides Insurance cover for learners while on Clinical Practice as part of their programme. As part of, and to support Clinical Practice ICPPD provides In-House Supervision, with an accredited supervisor, as required by IACP/professional bodies.
Research Supervision
ICPPD provides external research supervision to learners in year 4, during the Research Module.
Registration with Professional Bodies
Successful completion of the programme does not equate to professional registration. It is recommended to prospective learners that they check the criteria of any professional body to which they may wish to seek future accreditation
This IACP link illustrates the route to professional accreditation and membership of IACP (Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) – https://www.iacp.ie/accredited-membership-iacp.
Phone: +353(0)906470484
Email: info@icppd.com