Interim Counselling Diploma
Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (interim Diploma) - This qualification offers all psychotherapy students the opportunity to obtain a Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, while also undertaking their psychotherapy training. Psychotherapy students have often commented that they feel disadvantaged in the marketplace, due to the fact that they don’t receive a qualification until after they have completed their Masters, which usually takes a minimum of 5 years to obtain. Gaining this qualification will assist those psychotherapy students who so wish, to start their private practice and/or gain employment as a qualified counsellor.
The Course - Whilst there are many overlaps between psychotherapy and counselling, there are also some differences. In order to ensure that those students wishing to take this route are conversant with these, and meet the aims and learning outcomes that are a requirement of all counselling courses, inclusion in this process will obviously involve the student in some extra work and inevitably some extra cost. This extra work involves attendance at two introductory sessions, 3 days of exam preparation, an 8,000-word Case Study, and a one-hour oral exam.
Timeline - Psychotherapy students who have completed a minimum of 60 days of training are eligible to take this course, although they usually sign up for it sometime during the previous year of study. Due to the way that the courses are organised, this would be during the second year for humanistic psychotherapy students and during the third year for Gestalt, Integrative, Person Centred and Transactional Analysis students. Students have up to three years to complete this Diploma from the course start date.
Introductory Sessions – The first introductory session will focus on the differences between psychotherapy and counselling and help students familiarise themselves with the 8000-word counselling Case Study. The 8000-word Case Study focuses on how you used your theoretical approach to help you in your work with a client you had seen for a minimum of a 6-week period.
The second session, later in the year, orientates the student to the oral exam and what to prepare and bring with you to the exam preparation days.
Exam Prep Days – These are to help prepare students for the oral exam. This will include providing help with tape selection, theory revision and mock exams.
The Oral Exam/Viva - The Oral part of the counselling exams is an hour-long interview with three experienced and qualified practitioners who will, through the process of asking you questions and listening to a short recorded and transcribed section of your work with a client, ascertain whether you are a safe and effective practitioner. You must choose a different client for your viva than for your Case Study. These exams take place two or three times a year at Metanoia Institute.
You can sit this oral exam once you have completed 60 days of your course, have successfully passed your Case Study, and have at least 150 hours of supervised clinical practice and a minimum of 35 hours of supervision. You must have handed in your Case Study at least four months before sitting your oral exam.
Accreditation
Once you have completed the course and have the required 450 supervised clinical hours, (of which 150 must be gained after you have completed this qualification), you can, in a similar manner to all counselling graduates, apply for BACP accreditation individually. Please note this course is not accredited by BACP.
Fees
The full cost of the course can be found on the website and is payable in two instalments, one on registration and one when you hand in your Case Study. This fee covers attendance at the exam prep days, marking your case study and the Viva exam.
Please note that, if you are a BACP member, they do not allow you to work in private practice without a counselling or psychotherapy qualification. This is another good reason for taking this course.
