City University - MP3 - Course Handbook Excerpt

Form MP3 (1 of 9)

Course Orientation

The purpose of this document is to introduce you to the aims and orientation of this course, and the requirements with regard to course options, coursework, examination, dissertation and practical experience. Please feel free to discuss any points set out here with your tutor and/or lecturers.

Background to the course

The course is taught within the Psychology Department of the School of Social Science. The emphasis on applied psychology is reinforced by the commitment of the course organisers to provide a professional training in counselling psychology which integrates psychological theory, research and insights derived from personal inquiry and development.

Academic Staff and Course Management

Both University-based teaching staff and external specialist consultants teach and supervise students. The following full-time members of staff contribute to the course:

Bryan Adams,C.Psychol. Course Director for Post-MSc Diploma in the Practice for Counselling Psychology.

Dr Malcolm Cross, C.Psychol. Director of the Counselling Psychology Programme.

Jacqui Farrants,C.Psychol. Senior Professional Manager, Counselling Psychology Programme

Dr Andrew Kuczmierczyk, C.Psychol. Tutor to Post-MSc students.

[On sabbatical leave for the academic session 2000/01]

Dr Alison Macdonald, C.Psychol. Research Projects Co-ordinator; Tutor to students with special needs.

Professor Mary Watts,C.Psychol. Pro-Vice Chancellor for Teaching & Learning and Director of the Modular Health MSc Scheme.

Administrative Support:

Karen Wong: Courses Officer (Academic Components)

Course Philosophy

The Counselling Psychology Programme at City University is underpinned by a cohesive philosophy that rests on the following assumptions:

• that there is no single theory or model which commands exclusive claim to all that is useful in helping clients;

• that theory and research should be inter-related through the reflective, critical evaluation of practice;

• that diversity of viable methods of enquiry should be appreciated, while recognising the tensions this presents for traditional positivist conceptions of what constitutes knowledge and research;

• that imagination and creativity, rigour and objectivity are valued equally in research, theory and practice;

• that the practice of Counselling Psychology is a process played out in the complex and dynamic context of personal and intimate human relationships, and that this inevitably requires a deep level of self-reflective understanding;

• that the uniqueness and diversity of experience that students bring with them to their training should be valued while encouraging an active, life long approach to learning and personal development;

• that a knowledge of skills, theory or research in isolation is insufficient for the practice of Counselling Psychology.

Course Orientation

Several psychotherapeutic approaches are presented in the course. Students are exposed to a range of approaches and their relevance to counselling practice. By the end of the course, students should have a personal theory of the evolution, maintenance and resolution of human problems and be critical of contemporary psychotherapeutic approaches. Students are expected to have studied the theory behind the different approaches and observed some of them in practice. Currently the course emphasises humanistic, constructivist, cognitive-behavioural, systemic and psychodynamic approaches. Other psychotherapeutic approaches are taught, depending on the interests of students and the availability of specialist teaching staff. Although several schools of counselling and psychotherapy are taught, an eclectic approach to practice is not favoured. Students are encouraged to develop an integrative approach which rests upon a critical appraisal of psychological theory and research.

Course Aims

The MSc in Counselling Psychology at City University aims to equip students with practical skills and sound theoretical principles in the practice of counselling psychology.

The British Psychological Society Criteria for the Assessment of Postgraduate Training Courses in Counselling Psychology constitutes the framework within which the course is taught and organised. In addition, the academic requirements for postgraduate courses at City University have been set to ensure that students are taught professional and research skills, as well as psychological theory.

The course aims to provide a generic professional and academic training which will enable graduates to work as counselling psychologists in a number of settings, including the NHS, medical settings, counselling centres, industry, government, private practice and academic and research settings, among others.

The MSc Counselling Psychology course has been designed to meet all of the requirements of Part 1 of the BPS Diploma in Counselling Psychology. The Post-MSc Diploma in the Practice of Counselling Psychology has been designed for students who hold the Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) with the BPS and wish to meet Part 2 requirements. The MSc/Post-MSc Diploma scheme is accredited by the BPS.

Please note that it is a BPS requirement that students must undergo training for three years full-time equivalent in order to be eligible for Chartered status.

The MSc course aims to:

• provide opportunities to study theory and research concerned with the practice of counselling psychology;

• enable students to develop competence in the conduct of counselling individuals, couples and groups;

• provide opportunities for students to develop their self-understanding and awareness through a process of personal inquiry;

• enable students to explore counselling psychology as an area of future professional development.

Course Objectives

On completion of the course, graduates will be able to:

• apply their understanding of psychology to counselling theory and practice;

• use their knowledge of counselling psychology within the context of their professional practice;

• conduct and evaluate counselling psychology research;

• demonstrate the application of counselling psychology knowledge and skills to other practitioners.

The course emphasises both the science and art of counselling psychology. Empirical research is highly valued, for it is this that informs sound practice. Students are taught to critically evaluate the research of others, to plan and conduct their own research, and to approach their client work as scientist-practitioners. The personal interactive style of each student is also valued and is developed in the context of group and personal supervision.

Students are taught to respond to different psychological problems and to assess their own competence to deal with them and to recognise the limits of their professional training. The practice of counselling psychology in different settings and contexts is also addressed in the course and students are exposed to a range of issues that influence directly or indirectly the therapeutic process. Students have the opportunity to learn about the application of counselling psychology to different client groups (for example: adults, couples, groups, adolescents and others). A further important aim is for students to develop an ethical approach to clinical work and to recognise when to refer a client on to another specialist or to a more experienced colleague.

Course content

There are nine main components of the course, all of which are assessed by coursework and/or written and oral examination:

1. Psychological therapies

1. Counselling practice

1. Psychological theory

1. Quantitative and qualitative research methods

1. Dissertation and research supervision

1. Experiential training

1. Case work and report writing

1. Personal and professional development

1. Ethics and professional practice

The course comprises academic teaching, external placements, research, and personal and professional development. All students are allocated a personal tutor and staff meet regularly to discuss student progress.

Teaching Methods

A number of different teaching approaches and techniques are used. These include lectures, seminars, workshops, case discussions, role play and simulation exercises, live supervision, syndicate work, guest lecturer presentations, student presentations, video tape review of counselling work and work placements, among others.

Course Structure

The course consists of eight taught modules, a minimum of 200 hours supervised counselling experience, 40 hours of personal psychological counselling and regular seminars and tutorials. In addition, students are required to undertake casework, report on their counselling work, conduct research and complete a dissertation.

Period of Registration

Students registering on this full-time programme will initially be registered for Year 1 in which they will complete the taught component of the MSc and begin their professional practice. Subject to promotion by the Board of Examiners, the second year of registration will allow students a period in which to complete their dissertation and the professional practice requirements of the course as well as to begin the Post-MSc Diploma. Promotion to Year 2 of the programme is dependent on satisfactory progress in Year 1, including successful completion of all coursework and sufficient progress with regard to the practice components. Part-time students will be registered for two years in the first instance (Year 1A and Year 1B) before being considered for promotion to Year 2 of the 3-year programme.

Students who successfully complete the taught and practice components of the MSc but do not wish to proceed to Year 2 may be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology (or Psychological Counselling for those students who do not have the Graduate Basis for Registration with the British Psychological Society).

Prerequisite

To be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma or an MSc in Counselling Psychology students MUST have the Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) defined by the British Psychological Society. Students who do not have GBR are eligible for the award of Postgraduate Diploma or MSc in Psychological Counselling.

Tutorial System

Tutorials consist of both individual (one to one) and group tutorials. Students are expected to attend a minimum of three formal individual review sessions with their tutor. These will be scheduled at the beginning, middle and end of the academic year. The purpose will be to review the student’s general welfare, progress in integrating study and practice and completion of professional components.

In addition to helping manage the day to day concerns of studying on the course,

tutorial groups are intended to provide a means of facilitating personal and professional development. They are an essential element of the BPS Diploma requirements, and full attendance is expected.

It is anticipated that tutors will run individual and group sessions on alternate weeks. Students are encouraged to participate actively in study groups in other weeks.

Summary of Course Requirements

1. 360 hours of teaching (theory, research and practice) including attendance at tutorials and seminars.
2. 200 hours of supervised counselling experience.
3. 200 hours of experiential training workshops (from within the teaching component of the course).
4. A minimum of 40 hours of personal psychological counselling - obtained outside the course over years 1 and 2 of the programme.
5. Successful completion of the assessment for the 8 modules studied. This must include 2 client studies and 2 process reports.
6. Successful completion of a dissertation on a topic relating to counselling psychology.
7. An oral examination which includes assessment of all of the above. (This is carried out at the discretion of the examiners).

All candidates are required to keep:

A personal diary on their own personal and professional development during training. The rationale is not that this diary is formally assessed but that it provides evidence for the candidate’s ability to be reflective and insightful about their own training, and where appropriate personal experiences.

A log of the professional components including:

• a detailed log of supervised counselling experience demonstrating a minimum of 200 hours of client contact time;
• a detailed log of supervision experience demonstrating a minimum of 25 hours of contact time;
• a minimum of two Supervisors’ Reports (Placement Evaluation Forms);
• a record of attendance form showing a minimum of 40 hours of Personal Psychological Counselling;
• one or more certificates of professional indemnity to cover the period of practice.

NB:Students do not have to complete all of the practice requirements in Year 1. However, for promotion to Year 2 students are required to have completed 100 hours of supervised counselling practice and 30 hours of personal therapy together with successful completion of all assessments as outlined above. The remaining practice requirements, together with the dissertation, may be completed in Year 2.

Counselling Practice

Practical work experience for the MSc degree in Counselling Psychology/ Psychological Counselling (termed the ‘Placement’) is largely obtained within the student’s own work placement setting or through voluntary work in a setting offering a practice opportunity. Students must complete their practice work in a minimum of two different types of placement settings.

Students are required to first discuss with their tutor their proposed placements and to nominate an external supervisor who will oversee their work with clients. It is essential that the placement is approved by the tutor and that the placement supervisor is registered by the course. In the selection of placements, students are strongly advised to ensure that the placement regulations are consistent with the assessment requirements of the course. In particular, students should ensure that they are able to use client material (within the normal bounds of confidentiality) for their case studies and process reports.

The supervisor will be required to verify that the student has completed the required number of hours in the setting and to provide a report on the student’s clinical performance and progress. A minimum of two satisfactory ‘Placement Evaluation Forms’, completed by the supervisor, should be submitted during the MSc course (if a student has more than one placement, this number is likely to increase and this matter should be discussed with the tutor).

This log book is extremely important as it will be the prime source for staff and for the student to monitor progress through the course and will indicate successful completion of the practical and academic requirements. Hence it is in your interests to ensure that the log book is always complete. Periodically tutors will ask to see your log book to ensure that it is being regularly updated.

Please note: It is the soleresponsibility of the student to ensure that this log book is updated and is readily available to staff (both academic and administrative) when requested.

Professional Standards

Client work demands high standards of professional conduct. At the beginning of the first year, all students will be given a copy of the BPS Code of Conduct, Ethical Principles and Guidelines. A copy of BPS Division of Counselling Psychology guidelines for best practice can also be borrowed from the Departmental Office (W309) for reference and students are advised to purchase their own copy from the BPS. These guidelines are to be adhered to at all times. Issues relating to Ethics and Professional Practice will be discussed in the introductory Counselling module.

Client confidentiality is to be respected and no case may be discussed outside of the supervision sessions without the permission of the supervisor. This applies to the period that students are registered with the University and after they have graduated. Professional and personal conduct is a matter of great importance and any breach thereof can result in dismissal from the course and may have legal implications. Punctuality, appropriate dress and timely submission of client notes and reports is important.

Professional Indemnity

All students who undertake work with clients MUST take out professional indemnity insurance. Any hours undertaken without professional indemnity cover cannot be counted towards the required 200 hours of supervised counselling practice.

Professional indemnity application forms can be obtained from:

Smithson Mason Ltd

SMG House

31 Clarendon Road

Leeds LS2 9PA

Copies of application forms are also available from the Counselling Student Room (Walmsley Building W312).

As well as keeping the original in their log books, all students must submit a copy of insurance certificate to the Centre Office for inclusion on their personal file and as proof that they have obtained professional indemnity insurance.