Degree title: The title of Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology with Practicum is awarded directly from the University of York
Duration: 2 years (full time) or 3 years (part time)
Mode of delivery: Classes take place on weekday evenings
Language of instruction: English
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This is a Master’s programme in the field of Counselling Psychology that gives its graduates the opportunity to get a postgraduate British University degree and acquire their practical experience in Counselling at the same time. It equips students with all the requirements necessary for official recognition and certification, thus they can apply for membership in independent professional associations such as BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy).
* For more information regarding the registration procedure please visit HCPC's official website.
Sample of HCPC Certificate (PDF)
Applied Counselling Psychology
The unit examines a number of theories and concepts in the counseling field and demonstrates their application using case examples. A broad spectrum of concepts are introduced, such as health promotion and prevention, education counselling, counselling for trauma and abuse. Students are provided with a case example for every concept that reflects the concept being taught. Students are also introduced to issues and debates that are pertinent to the topic.
Counselling Children and Adolescents
This module examines key theoretical concepts, developmental psychopathology and chronic illness throughout childhood and adolescence period. Equal emphasis will be given on theory and practice and on exploring the inextricable link of predisposed tendencies and contextual environment such as early life experiences, family etc. on child developmental issues as well as risk factors, bonds with peers, intra-family conflicts and pedagogic system on adolescents. Important topics in the field of counselling children and adolescents such as chronic illness, Child abuse/Child protection/Safeguarding, marginalization, grief & bereavement, bulling as well as multicultural awareness and sensitivity, ethical and cultural considerations will be explored and discussed. In addition, students will get familiarized with the DSM-5 latest developments, Power and Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF), and with the major interventions strategies and their theoretical underpinnings as applied to individual counseling and psychotherapy with children and adolescents with regard to their implications for case conceptualization and treatment planning.
There will be a strong experiential component throughout, which will focus on exposure to the basic play techniques, various psychological approaches and interventions and engagement in practical exercises for skills development within the context of an ethical and diversity-sensitive practice. Students will also apply skills introduced in class through role-plays with classmates and will be responsible for presenting an ongoing case throughout the course that will foster critical thinking and highlight both the challenges and their growth as professional counsellors.
Methods of learning include a combination of lectures, didactic instruction, discussion, individual and group experiential exercises, video clips, and role-play. Lectures are complemented with case study discussions in order to allow students to apply theoretical knowledge to the critical evaluation of cases.
Psychopathology
This course will provide an overview of critical issues in classification, instruct students on how to structure a diagnosis using the DSM-IV-TR system, provide information pertaining to the theory of and research on the etiology, pathology, phenomenology, course, and diagnosis of various major mental disorders and challenge students to think critically about psychopathology. Information regarding therapy and assessment of the disorders will only be provided in as much as it sheds light on the nature of the disorder. Lectures are complemented with case study discussions in order to allow students to apply theoretical knowledge to the critical evaluation of cases. Moreover, students will be exposed to people who have active psychopathologies through videos and/or case studies. Student participation is expected to be active and contributory.
Research Methods in Counselling Psychology
This module entails the practice of research methods in counselling psychology with particular attention to the strengths and weaknesses of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The course is organised along two dimensions: Five sessions will be dedicated to qualitative, and five to quantitative methods and analyses. The course will be based on workshops by using specific examples and/or data collected by the students. The aim is for students to be able to comprehend and critically analyze relevant research designs as well as to make appropriate methodological decisions and carry out independent research. The course will build on knowledge acquired in CPS6707 (Introduction to Research Methods in Counselling Psychology) and will entail applied research in various fields related to counselling psychology.
Introduction to Research Methods in Counselling Psychology
This module covers in detail the practice of research methods in their field of study, with particular attention to the opportunities and challenges that researchers face in applying the methods of science to the study of human behaviour. A great emphasis is also given to the ethical issues in research methods. Students will be introduced to main approaches (methodology) in qualitative research and their application to student’s field of study. Emphasis will be given to qualitative research methods like interviews, focus groups, participant observations and fieldwork notes. In the second part of the module , students will explore the various designs that are used in quantitative research (e.g., experimental and quasi experimental design, correlational design, surveys). They will learn how to evaluate patients’ or research participants’ scores on standardized questionnaires and they will become familiar with developing research questions, formulating hypotheses, and selecting participants and measures for a study. In general, students will be advised on how to select the most suitable methodological approach (qualitative or quantitative) to their problem, how to design their study, and how to proceed with data collection and, analysis, as well as with the discussion of their findings. Finally, students will discuss ethics, and reliability and validity in research.
Current paradigms in Counselling and Psychotherapy
This unit will provide an overview of the central concepts and techniques of the main schools of counselling and will also demonstrate how they apply in practice. It will equip students with the necessary knowledge to evaluate the range of different counselling approaches to different psychological problems as well as the ability to synthesize these approaches in relation to the particular psychological problems. Some examples of counselling approaches that would be presented is the client-centred, existential, cognitive analytic, family, systemic, gestalt and group therapy.
Personal and Professional Development
The unit introduces students to the main issues in personal and professional development, such as developing strategies for maintaining effectiveness in the face of work pressures, identifying the requirements of a personal support system and the personal dimension of professional competence. This will be enhanced through a combination of teaching and learning methods and assessment components as well (i.e. the use of the personal learning journal which will facilitate the development of helping relationship). It is important that students will be encouraged to establish a commitment to and demonstrate non-discriminatory practice and cross-cultural counselling sensitivity.
Counselling Skills
The unit introduces students to the basic counselling skills. It covers the main skills employed in the process of counselling, such as listening, reflecting challenging, crisis management etc. The unit focuses on the theoretical assumptions and therapeutic aims that underpin the use of specific skills as well as on the practical use of them. It also encourages critical and reflexive engagement with the use of counselling skills and their effects on the client and the client-counsellor relationship.
Practicum
Students will be eligible to begin the practicum after having completed successfully the units of the first year of studies. The duration of Practicum comes up to 200 hours in total (50 hours of learning activities and 150 hours of practice) under supervision in a field setting approved by CITY College.
View the application and admission requirements of the programme.
If you wish to apply for this programme you may view details of the application process.
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admissions
The Psychology Department of CITY College, University of York Europe Campus has excellent reputation due to the high quality of teaching and research. Our academic staff is strongly committed to excellence in research and in teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Teaching is informed by the latest scientific research and cultivates development of critical thinking, self-development, and academic and professional ethos. Most of the academic staff hold a PhD degree, have intensive research activity and significant professional experience.
More about the Psychology Department
Research at the Psychology Department
Accreditation and Recognition
CITY College is strongly committed to quality education and academic excellence. It is officially accredited and recognised by top international accreditation bodies. Read more
Degree and formal qualifications
The degree and formal qualifications our graduates receive.
For Greek graduates only: Recognition of degrees
Graduates of the MA in Counselling Psychology programme may pursue careers as psychologists, counsellors in hospitals, community centres, schools and businesses, therapists and more.
The Career, Employability and Enterprise Centre, focuses on helping students to set attainable career goals. It offers advice on CVs and cover letters, and on how to effectively handle job interviews. Through career fairs, and different internship programmes, the department aims at constantly bringing students in contact with prospective employers.
Every spring we organize the Annual Career Fair presenting with an opportunity to get a first feel of job seeking. During the event students and alumni have interview opportunities with corporate recruiters and present their skills and abilities to potential employers. Large companies, organisations and multinationals from different industries across S.E. Europe participate every year in our Career Fair and offer employment and internship opportunities to our students and graduates.
More about our Career Services.
Contact the Career, Employability and Enterprise Centre at careers@york.citycollege.eu
Our Graduates of Bachelor in Psychology who continued their studies to Masters level and have been awarded our MSc in Counselling Psychology (along with adequate practical experience in a related field) or our MA in Counselling Psychology, can apply for registration to the Health and Care Professions Council – HCPC through the International route. Applications to the HCPC are examined on an individual case, thus registration is not automatic but subject to the applicant meeting all the conditions set by the HCPC (i.e. training, health and character of the applicant). Graduates may also acquire the Europsy certificate in Psychology, by the European Federation of Psychologists Associations (EFPA).
For more information regarding the registration procedure please visit HCPC's official website.
Extensively experienced and highly qualified, all staff members are committed to delivering our programmes in line with the UK standards of quality and at the same time they facilitate and sustain a critical engagement, with an insight and a broader perspective incorporated in all learning, teaching and assessment methods.
“I am really proud to be part of the particular team of people. Highly skilled and with diverse specialties they are primarily focused on our students and their development. With an authentic interest in people and an inclusive attitude, we can make all of our students succeed and thrive in any highly demanding environment.”
Dr. Suzie Savvidou
Head of the Psychology Department
The academic staff & administration staff of the Psychology Department