MA in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy  MA in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy University of Leicester ../webroot/files/Institutions/cover_photo/1533882436University-of-Leicester.jpg

This three-year course (PG Diploma BACP Accredited), provides substantial training in psychodynamic counselling and psychotherapy. Year 1 provides an introduction to psychodynamic theory, the counselling relationship, the therapeutic frame and research methods. Year 2 concentrates on practice issues, including assessment and mental health, evidence based practice, major presenting problems and research methods. Research evidence, contemporary practice and contextual issues influence the whole course. Counsellor training involves experiential work interacting with others in role-play and actual client work. Personal Development Groups are an integral part of the teaching day in Years 1 and 2. Each Group is facilitated by an experienced therapist and students give and receive support from others, essential for a safe learning environment. Students are required to complete 50 non-clinical placement hours in a counselling agency by end of Year 3. They begin a counselling placement at the start of Year 2 and are required to complete 150 hours of counselling placement by the end of Year 3. It is the student's responsibility to find a suitable agency and negotiate a placement, although support is available. Specific guidance can be provided in finding counselling placements in Leicester. Weekly supervision groups are included in Years 2 & 3. The third year involves weekly attendance for supervision, regular tutorials with a designated research supervisor and completion of a 20,000 word dissertation. CLINICAL PRACTICE Year 1 Students receive intensive preparation for clinical practice through Year 1 in skills training groups. During this year, students are encouraged to enhance their skills by seeking a placement with a relevant voluntary sector agency. Years 2 & 3 Students start their formal placement at the beginning of the second year, and their clinical work is supervised in weekly sessions of 90 minutes, usually in groups of 3. Students can see up to 3 clients a week in Year 2. This may be increased in Year 3 subject to negotiation between the supervisor, the student and the agency. There is no personal development group in Year 3. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (a) Academic. Applicants will have a degree or minimum of 5 years' experience in a relevant professional role. (b) Counselling Training. It is expected that applicants will: * have completed a course in counselling of a minimum of 50 hours, * have some understanding of psychodynamic theory * and have relevant practical experience of working in a helping role in either a voluntary or a paid capacity. (c) Clinical Practice. Applicants will need to have given some consideration to where they may gain experience practice in Years 2 & 3. (d) Personal Therapy. To have made financial and practice arrangements to complete a minimum of 40 hours of personal psychodynamic therapy by the end of the course. (e) All students must have access to a computer and the internet. ASSESSMENT Assessment is continuous, through written assignments, case studies, presentations, reflective learning journals, supervision, research proposal and dissertation. WHAT SKILLS WILL I GAIN? By the end of Year 2, students should be able to: ? Demonstrate the skills and competencies of a counselling and psychotherapy practitioner able to practice in a generic counselling setting. ? Demonstrate a capacity for self-reflection and an awareness of the need for continuing professional development. ? Apply a psychodynamic conceptual framework to work with clients, and demonstrate a sophisticated ability to integrate theory and technique in their therapeutic work in a range of professional and clinical situations. ? Demonstrate the use of insight in understanding inter- and intra-psychic processes. ? Demonstrate competence in critically evaluating primary theoretical sources and research relating to professional practice topics studied. ? Demonstrate the ability to critically analyse casework material from a relevant theoretica