Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy

M.A. in Transpersonal Counselling & Psychotherapy
(validated by De Montfort University)

index of this page

THE SPIRITUAL APPROACH TO COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY
DIPLOMA COURSE DESCRIPTION
THE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME
BASIC DIPLOMA ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
THE RESEARCH M.A. PROGRAMME
ELEMENTS OF THE COURSE
Part 1 - Theory & Skills
First Year
Second Year
Third Year
Fourth Year
Part 2 – Practicum
Part 3 – Tutorials
Part 4 – Case Supervision
Part 5 – Individual Psychotherapy
Part 6 – Ongoing Assessment
Part 7 – Criteria for Course Entry
Interview Procedure
Part 8 – Requirements for Diploma
Part 9 – The Research and Child M.A. Programmes
Part 10 – Transferring to the Research and Child M.A. Programmes from another course
Part 11 – Entry Requirements for the M.A.
Part 12 – Requirements for the award of M.A.
Part 13 – M.A. in Child, Adolescent and Family Therapy
DURATION AND COST OF COURSE
TRAINING STAFF

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the spiritual approach to counselling and psychotherapy

The word human comes from the two sources, hu meaning divine and mana meaning mind. From the psychological point of view, hu relates to the character, or that unique blend of inner qualities that make us an individual. Manas refers to the different temperaments or what we might call personality, which reflects our inner qualities.

In transpersonal psychotherapy personal breakdowns and crises are seen to have a useful purpose in that they act as a warning signal, as well as to indicate the way for us to change, grow and unfold.

Once the crisis is over and the mental condition is stabilised there is a chance to re-examine ourselves with a view to change and unfold, thus preventing a recurrence of the crisis. This involves reassessing our motivation, sense of purpose and meaning in life and our capabilities.

Much of the counselling and psychotherapeutic work done at the Centre is based on the fundamental principle of building and expanding on people's strengths or 'qualities'. Attention is also paid to balancing the person's energies and lifestyle, i.e. the balance between grounded and aspiring, the balance between being expressive and receptive, and to helping the person find their natural rhythm in work, home etc.

At this point the client is able to sense the right direction and to set goals that give him or her a sense of fulfilment and achievement in life.

diploma course description

The course is run by staff trained and qualified in counselling, psychotherapy and the spiritual disciplines. The emphasis on the Course will be on developing a spiritual perspective on human interaction, on learning practical techniques to help people with psychological problems, and those who are seeking to unfold their potential.

The four-year part-time Diploma course involves 900 contact hours, including one six-day intensive, one residential weekend, 24 weekend seminars and 120 evening meetings spread over four years. The evening meetings include a period for lectures and group supervision. In addition, students undertake a minimum of 160 hours of individual therapy, at least 550 hours of supervised counselling/psychotherapy practice and 100 hours at an approved psychiatric observational placement. Students will draw on their supervised/psychotherapy practice hours to submit case histories for assessment. Finally, Diploma students are required to develop an individual counselling practical project which reflects their beliefs, personality and therapeutic style of working.

the diploma programme

The Diploma programme has no particular affiliations to any dogma, religion or philosophy, and is open to all those sincerely interested in the field of counselling and psychotherapy from a spiritual perspective.

Students who successfully complete the four-year training requirements will be awarded the CCPE Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy.
NOTE: This is a prerequisite to UKCP registration as a psychotherapist.

The Diploma course is accredited by the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). The CCPE is also a Member Organisation of the UKCP. The award of the Diploma does not automatically qualify you for UKCP registration.

basic diploma entry requirements

• Some prior experience of individual counselling and psychotherapy is required.
• Basic counselling skills training and knowledge of basic counselling theory.

Those candidates who do not meet the above requirements may be asked first to complete the Foundations of Counselling and Psychotherapy course.

It may be possible for students to apply to enter the third year of the Diploma Course with a view to joining the Diploma or M.A. programme, but this will involve a process of having the your work assessed for credit.

The Diploma Course is set at a postgraduate level of academic competence, which will be assessed through written work as outlined. Students also need to show that they have sufficient emotional competence and maturity and the spiritual resources necessary to engage with the demands of the training and the work of psychotherapy. Qualities that we look for include: a lively and enquiring mind, an ability to lkisten and respond with compassion and respect, awareness of predjudice, the capacity for in-depth self-reflection, self-awareness and commitment to self-development.

A student handbook with detailed guidelines on meeting the course requirements is available at the beginning of the first term.

the research m.a. programme

Suitable Diploma course students may be able to transfer to the M.A. programme in the third year of their training. Suitability is based on the standard of their essays, case presentation in supervision, therapeutic skills, personal maturity and attendance of the Diploma training. M.A. track students must submit two case histories in the fourth year of the Diploma and a short 1000 word example of a Transpersonal intervention in therapy.

In addition students must attend a module on research methodology in the third year of their training. The M.A. research dissertation is then carried out in the fifth year, the date for completion of the written submission being early July of the fifth year. Graduation will be at De Montfort University, Leicester, which is the validating academic body. Transfer students will also be awarded the Diploma on successful completion of the M.A.

elements of the course

PART 1 - THEORY AND SKILLS

A brief outline of each year follows:

FIRST YEAR
Transpersonal and Psychodynamic Approaches

The first year is intended to train students in the fundamentals of psychotherapy/counselling theory and practice, and is also used as an introduction to the spiritual dimensions of counselling and psychotherapy. Some analytical approaches are included. Students are also required to undertake peer counselling on an hour per week basis as a means of practising skills and having further peer support.

Term 1 -Topics
1. Spiritual model of human being and personality
2. Core theories of Klein, Winnicott, Bowlby (and early childhood issues), Freud (and psychoanalysis)
3. Personality theories

Term 2 - Topics
The therapeutic interview:
1. Verbal and non-verbal communication
2. Assessment of clients for counselling and psychotherapy
3. Creating a therapeutic alliance
4. Transference and counter-transference
5. Defence mechanisms
6. Interpretation, intervention and insight
7. Transformation strategies, working through
8. The concept of resistance
9. Acting out
10. Termination

Term 3 - Topics
1. Counselling with obsessive clients
2. Counselling with depressed clients
3. Counselling with personality-disordered clients
4. Counselling with disturbed clients
5. Thought processes, cognition, emotion and perception
6. Psychopathological syndromes

Weekend Seminars
1. Fundamental Skills
Two days of working under supervision with listening, empathy, clarifying, and reflection skills
2. Alchemy of Transformation
Understanding the stages of transformation
Problems encountered at each stage
How this relates to the counselling process and to life in general
3. Alchemy, Archetypes and Personal Unfoldment
Discovering the archetypes within, and their role in our development
Self image and archetypes
Sensing the qualities in a person
Expressive, receptive and balanced qualities
4. Creative Imagination in Therapy (Six Days)
Concentration practices and their use
Visualisation practices and their use
Using guided imagery in therapy
Working with dreams
Developing creativity
5. The Inner Child
Contacting the Inner Child as a means of working on early life issues and touching the inner core of our being.
6. Alchemy of Relationships
A course to explore the dynamics of interpersonal relationships as they go through different stages of transformation (and transform us).
Relationships as a path of growth and development.
Awakening the ability to open, communicate, be vulnerable, co-operate, share, be independent.
Purpose, meaning and faith in relationships.

SECOND YEAR
Adolescence, Group, Self and Society

This year focuses on early youth to adulthood, incorporating many of the humanistic approaches.

Terms 1, 2 and 3 - Topics
1. Violence and Anger
2. Dealing with angry clients in placements and private practice
3. Gestalt
4. Gestalt skills
5. Couples work
6. Co-dependency
7. Eating disorders
8. Death, Dying and Transformation
9. Touch in therapy
10. Working with the shadow
11. Envy, jealousy and greed
12. Transactional Analysis

Terms 1 and 2 - Group Work - 16 evenings
We focus on the use of group therapy starting with the relationship between each individual member and the group, as well as interpersonal relations and projections between group members.

Residential Weekend: A two day residential group weekend to complete the group work as one whole group.

Weekend Seminars
1. Intermediate skills
Two days of working with skills and receiving supervision.
Skills worked with are congruency, intervention, insight and interpretation.
Also, a review of visualisation skills and other skills learned in the first year.
2. Gestalt
An experiential weekend combined with Gestalt theory.
3. Bodywork
An experiential weekend using the Hakomi bodywork approach.
4. Maleness, femaleness, sexuality
Exploring our personal and archetypal male and female images, and how they affect our relationship with the opposite sex.
5. Sexual Abuse
A weekend explaining and learning how to deal with the issues around sexual abuse.
6. Family Therapy
Basic theory of family therapy
Skills and working with families
Recreating our own families

THIRD YEAR
Existential and Transpersonal Approaches

Existential and Transpersonal Approaches
The focus is on the transpersonal approaches to therapy. Here the spiritual dimension is fully considered.

Terms 1 and 2 - Topics
1. Psychopathology and the role of medication in psychotherapy.
2. Dealing with Personality Disorders.
3. Reading seminars - Existential Psychotherapy and its influence on the Transpersonal model..
4. Reading seminars - The Transpersonal: the Jungian approach.
5. The Transpersonal: the Spiritual perspective in psychotherapy
a) Boundaries
b) Beyond boundaries
c) Meaning and Purpose in Life
d) Intuition, faith, unfolding personal qualities, inherited qualities
e) Integrating the personal and transpersonal outlooks in life.

Term 3 - Topics
1. The Transpersonal: the spiritual perspective in psychotherapy
a) Energy centres
b) Subtle levels of consciousness
2. Case Histories: preparation, presentation and assessment.

Weekend Seminars
1. Healing with Breath and Sound (3 days)
Gestalt and Reichian bodywork use what we consider the grosser energies, whereas we now focus on pin-pointing and working through the more subtle energy blocks using more subtle techniques such as our breath and voice
2. Advanced Skills Training (3 days)
Feedback and supervision on the skills learned on the course to date
3. Psychology of Accomplishment
Developing mastery through accomplishment
Roles of will, concentration
Choosing goals, aligning with purpose and achieving balance in our development
Balance between power and intelligence
4. Life Crisis
Opportunities for a breakthrough
Causes and purpose of a crisis
Process of transformation in a crisis
Intervention points in a crisis
Holding in a crisis
5. Facilitating spiritual growth in counselling and psychotherapy
Guiding the client who is spiritually questioning and seeking.
6. Case History Seminar

FOURTH YEAR
Integration & Professional Development

This year is intended as a year of consolidation, attending to the practical issues, case histories and projects.

Term1 - Topics
1. Reading seminar
2. Planes of consciousness
3. Review of topics covered during the course and integrating this with the spiritual perspective
4. Linking the Transpersonal perspective to therapeutic practice - spiritual formulation
5. Theory of dream work - use of myths in therapy - alchemy and the therapeutic process

Term 2 - Topics
1. Ethical issues in practice
2. Transcultural issues and dealing with difference
3. Practical projects: planning, development, execution
4. Professional issues: ethics, legal issues, building a
professional practice

Term 3 - Group Work
Four evenings are spent in three large groups focusing on appreciating the qualities of each group member, and giving positive, critical feedback to each member on areas they need to work on. Course endings.

Weekend Seminars 1, 2 & 3
1. Dreams
Role of dreams as metaphor for our inner life.
Waking dream therapy. Interpretation. Imaging work with dreams.
2. Dreams and Archetypes
Exploring the relevance of archetypes in dreams and their significance in our personal lives.
3. Research Methods and Projects Seminar

Weekend Seminars 4, 5, 6
Fourth year students are required to attend three weekend seminars during which they will receive specialised supervision and skills training based on their client case load.

PART 2 - PRACTICUM

All students are required to complete 550 hours of one-to-one client work under supervision and a further 100 hours observational psychiatric placement in a medical setting, totalling 650 placement hours. A minimum of a 100 hours are to be completed within the first year of training. Students are required to attend a placement induction meeting (normally prior to the start of the course) where information and assistance regarding placements is given.

PART 3 - TUTORIALS

Students attend two individual tutorial sessions per year, starting in the first year.

PART 4 - CASE SUPERVISION

Lectures and weekly case supervision in small groups will be held at the Centre. Practical work will be discussed and supervised, with students' case studies being used as teaching material. Students will also be required to obtain individual supervision in the second, third and fourth year, at their own expense. This would typically involve one individual supervision session per month.

PART 5 - INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY

It is a requirement of the course that all students should undergo a minimum of 160 hours of psychotherapy with a recognised therapist over the first three years of the Course.

PART 6 - ONGOING ASSESSMENT

In the first and third year students are required to submit an essay applying theory to practice, based on the course work. In the first and second year, a self-assessment essay based on their own personal growth is also required.

CRITERIA FOR DIPLOMA COURSE ENTRY

The following are the criteria for the four-year BACP and UKCP accredited Diploma course:-
1. Minimum age 27 plus maturity and relevant life experience. (The course is not designed to sort out personal problems)
2. Successful completion of a one-year part-time counselling course
3. A degree and/or relevant work experience which indicate readiness to undertake postgraduate vocational training
4. 50 hours therapy with a qualified psychotherapist prior to commencement of the course; and
5. Attendance at a Weekend Seminar which is part of the Diploma course.

The course is intended for people who wish to obtain a theoretical and practical training in the counselling and psychotherapy profession, from a spiritual perspective.

Prospective UKCP registrants will need to complete a short clinical module and make a formal application to the CCPE UKCP Registration Committee. The clinical module consists of four DSM-IV one-day workshop at the student’s own cost (currently at £70 per one day seminar). These workshops can be taken over the course of the Diploma from the second year onwards.

INTERVIEW PROCEDURE

If you would like to apply for the course, please call the CCPE to arrange an appointment for an hour-long interview with a senior member of staff, for which the fee is currently £40 (cash or cheque only).

Candidates who have attended an interview and who are considered suitable will then be invited to apply by formally filling in an application form. They are then required to attend one of our weekend seminars open to the public. This is to assess your ability to function in a group and relate to the course material. It is also an opportunity for you to meet current students and help you decide whether the course feels right for you. A ten minute appointment is then made to meet a second member of staff for further assessment and to answer any questions the candidate might have.

Student selection takes place on an ongoing basis throughout the year. To arrange an interview please contact the Office on 0207 266 3006.

REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARD OF THE DIPLOMA

The following are the requirements for the award of the Diploma:

1. Satisfactory completion of essays during the course. (Two in Year 1, one in Year 2, and one in Year 3)
2. Two written case histories based on client work and showing a clear integration of theory and practice.
3. Completion of an individual practical therapeutic project, designed and documented by the student.
4. Completion of 160 hours of individual therapy.
5. Completion of 550 hours of counselling with clients spread over the duration of the course (100 hours are to be completed during the first year practicum).
6. Completion of 100 hours at an approved psychiatric observational placement.
7. Full attendance of course programme. Missed attendance at weekend seminars need to be made up by attendance a full weekend seminar at an additional cost. Also any other missed attendance beyond the allowance needs to be made up at additional cost. 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE M.A.

The following are the entry requirements for the M.A. track:
1. Completion of 2.66 years of the CCPE Diploma course, together with a first or second class honours degree, or have demonstrated ability to produce academic work at a Master's Degree level.
2. Good therapeutic skills
3. Full attendance of Diploma course to date
4. Completion of all essays
5. Minimum 100 hours of individual therapy
6. Minimum 350 hours of counselling/psychotherapy practice.

Alternatively, a portfolio of other qualifications (such as the CCPE Diploma or equivalent) and/or experience with evidence of the ability and motivation to study at the Master's level may be sufficient. Students who satisfy the Master's entry criteria listed above may be admitted to the M.A. Degree Programme and will only be required to complete the Research Methodology Module and the Dissertation Module. Students who successfully complete the M.A. will be eligible for UKCP registration and the Diploma in Psychotherapy.

REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARD OF THE M.A.

The following are the requirements for the award of the M.A.:

1. Completion of Diploma course work or its equivalent, up to but excluding the practical therapeutic project. The course work (case histories, 1000 word case intervention, skills, essays etc.) all needs to be of a good standard.
2. Completion of the research methodology module and preparation of a research proposal.
3. Completion of a research dissertation of 15–20,000 words.

M.A. IN CHILD, ADOLESCENT AND FAMILY THERAPY

For entry requirements and award of the Child M.A. please see the separate brochure.

duration and cost of course

A new four-year course starts every January. The fees include lectures, seminars, case supervision, and assistance in obtaining practical placements.

It does not include the cost of individual therapy or private supervision taken in addition to supervision offered by the course.

The cost* of the Course commencing in 2010 is £3570 for the 1st year (including a non-refundable deposit of £300), £4040 in 2011 for the 2nd year (including residential fee in 2nd year), £4100 in 2012 for the 3rd year and £4250 in 2013 for the 4th year.

The additional cost for the M.A. option will be confirmed on application to the M.A (during 3rd year of the Diploma).

*Prices are subject to variation.

training staff

TUTORS AND CORE STAFF

Nigel Hamilton Course Director. Ph.D., M.A. (Couns. Psych.), Dipl. Clinical Psychotherapy and Social Psychiatry.
Allan Pimentel Deputy Director, Dipl. Psych., Dipl. Supvn.
Angela Gruber Deputy Director, Cert. Ed., Dipls. Psych., Supvn. & Adv. Psych.
Susie Sanders B.A. (Hons.), M.Sc., Dipls. Psych., Supvn. & Adv. Psych., MInst GA
Tamara Alferoff M.A., Dipl. Psych.
David Hiles B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Psychology), Dipl. Psych.
Elke Hanman B.A.(Hons.), Dipls. Psych., Supvn. & Adv. Psych.

SUPERVISORS & FACILITATORS

Katy Baldock M.A., B.Sc.(Econ), Dipl. Psych.
Diana Buirski Dipls. Psych., & Supvn. & Adv. Psych.
Debbie Charles M.A., Dipls. Psych., & Supvn.
Debra Deaville M.A., Dipls. Psych., Supvn. & Adv. Psych.
Mo Dinnage Dipls. Psych., Supvn. & Adv. Psych.
Marianne Fitzgerald-Klein Dipls. Psych. & Adv. Psych.
Rosalind Haber Dipl. Psych.
Anita Harper M.A., Dipls. IPSS., Dipl. PET, Dipls., Supvn. & Adv. Psych.
Elizabeth Heren Dipl. Psych.
Ben James M.A., Dipls. Psych. & Supvn.
Maggie Kafton M.A., Dipls. Psych., Supvn. & Adv. Psych., Diploma Sandplay Studies
Sue Kerry Dipls. Psych., Supvn. & Adv. Psych.
Theo Kyriakos M.A., Dipls. Psych. & Supvn.
Alexis Lamplough B.A. (Hons.), Dipls. Psych., Supvn. & Adv. Psych.
Annie Lloyd B.Ed. (Hons.), Hakomi Teacher, Dipls. Supvn. & Adv. Psych., Adv. Cert. Couns., Cert. Couples, Cert. Psychotherapy Trauma Work
Cathy McDermott B.Sc., M.Sc. (Hons.), Dipls. Psych. & Supvn., Imago Relationship Therapist
Paul Margrie Dipls. Psych., Supvn. & Adv. Psych.
Sue Nappez M.A., Dipls. Psych., Supvn. & Adv. Psych.
Urve Opik B.A., M.A., Dipl. Psych.
Phil Parkinson G.T.C.L., F.T.C.L., Dipls. Psych., Supvn. & Adv. Psych.
Nicole Reilly B.A. (Hons)., Dipls. Psych., Supvn. & Adv. Psych.
Lynn Somerfield M.A., Dipls. Psych., Adv. Psych. & Supvn.
Richard Stewart B.A.(Hons), Dipls. Psych., & Adv. Psych.
Sajada Taylor Dipls. Psych., Supvn. & Adv. Psych.
Geoff Thiel B.A., Dipls. Psych., Supvn. & Adv. Psych., FCA, FCIPD .
Dwight Turner M.A. Dipl. Psych.
Zak Waterman M.A., B.Sc. (Hons.), Dipls. Psych., Supvn. & Adv. Psych.
Sabine Young M.A., Dipls. Psych., Supvn. & Adv. Psych., Cert. Imago Relationship Therapist, Imago Advanced Clinician, EMDR Imago Consultant (US) / Supervisor (UK)

All Staff are UKCP Registered Psychotherapists.
Dipls. Psych., Supvn. & Adv. Psych. means Diplomas in Counselling & Psychotherapy, Supervision and Advanced Psychotherapy

Please contact us for further details and interviews.