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Read our counselling and psychotherapy courses FAQs

Wondering whether to apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Humanistic or Psychodynamic Counselling, whether you need to do a placement, or be in therapy while you study? Read these frequently asked questions.

Should I apply for the Humanistic or Psychodynamic Psychotherapeutic Counselling Postgraduate Diploma?

We can provide a few pointers for you, but ultimately you must make the decision. To help you differentiate between the two courses, you could attend an open day or do some reading around the relevant subject areas. Broadly, Psychodynamic Psychotherapeutic therapy is based on the idea that mental illness is to some extent the result of repressed negative experience, and counselling aims to expose the contents of a client’s unconscious to make him or her aware of any underlying psychological conflicts. Humanistic therapy was developed in reaction to the dominance of behaviourism and psychoanalysis, the humanistic paradigm emphasises the human capacity for self-determination. It holds that we have the freedom to shape and give meaning to our own lives, and helps clients to regain their independence.

I haven’t studied psychology before. Does this matter?

No, it doesn’t. While our postgraduate courses draws on a range of ideas and concepts, and psychology theory, we don’t expect you to have studied it formally before the course begins. We do, however, require you to have spent a minimum of 30 hours on an accredited counselling skills course.

Does it matter that I’ve been out of education for a number of years?

No. Provided you meet all the requirements, you should be offered an interview for the course. Many of our students are returning to study after a few years away, in fact, the average age for the postgraduate diplomas is around 40.

I use counselling skills in my job as a nurse/social worker/teacher. Do I still have to take an introductory counselling course?

Yes, unless as a formal part of your training you took an assessed module in counselling skills. If so, you would need to provide full details of the module you took in the further information section on the application form.

Do I have to be in therapy during the course?

Yes, you will need to be in therapy with an approved therapist for the duration of the postgraduate level courses. Previous counselling or therapy doesn’t count in lieu of the requirement to be in therapy during the course.

Is counselling practice part of the course?

Yes, clinical practice hours (a placement where you are a trainee counsellor) are a requirement of our Postgraduate Diploma courses. The university  does not guarantee to find you a placement but we do have a list of clinical practice areas which previous students have gone to and we have good relationships with many local counselling agencies. However the final responsibility lies with you. During the first semester we invite a number of practice managers/directors to come and talk about what they offer but students must make individual applications to agencies.

Go to our Humanistic Counselling and Psychotherapy PGDip course page.

Go to our Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy PGDip course page.

Go to our Psychotherapy MSc course page.

Go to our Developing a Therapeutic Relationship and Counselling Skills course.

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