The Foundation Degree in Therapeutic Counselling is a 2 year full-time course which provides professional training in counselling, through which students will acquire both a sound theoretical framework and the practitioner skills required to work safely and effectively as a counsellor. It is an integrative course exploring psychodynamic and person-centred approaches within a framework of Clarkson’s 5 facets of the therapeutic relationship. By the end of the course students will be able to demonstrate that they can work safely, ethically and professionally with clients presenting with a range of problems.
The main educational aims of the FdA Counselling are to provide you, the student, with opportunities to develop:
- A knowledge and understanding of theories and principles of counselling practice;
- A range of counselling skills to apply to selected areas of counselling practice;
- An understanding of the relationship between theory, research and practice in counselling practice;
- An understanding of professional practice issues;
- An awareness of ethical and legal issues involved in professional counselling practice;
- Academic skills, including the analysis of theoretical and research evidence and the development of academic arguments;
- A readiness to practice as a counsellor;
- Further study skills as a gateway for progression.
Duration
2 years full-time
Location
Gloucestershire College, Cheltenham Campus
Entry requirements
Both CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills and CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies are required. Equivalent non-CPCAB qualifications and training will be considered.
You will be required to have English at GCSE grade C or above. An equivalent English Language qualification will be required for non-English speaking students.
Willingness and ability to take responsibility for ‘Self’ and in sympathy with the core model of the course with evidence of both personal and academic development.
It is the candidates’ responsibility to demonstrate that their training/qualification is equivalent to the entry requirements.
The application process is via the completion of a UCAS form www.ucas.com for the FdA in Therapeutic Counselling, plus an internal College application form, accompanied by completed references, followed by attendance at a briefing and interview. The closing date for applications is 15th January 2011.
Tutors will be looking for readiness and both proven and potential ability to make effective use of this particular course. Further details and an application form can be obtained from the Counselling Course Administrator on 01452 563314.
Progression opportunities
Successful students will be awarded the FdA in Therapeutic Counselling and may progress on to higher degree courses such as BA (Hons) in Counselling at the University of Gloucestershire.
It is the student’s responsibility to find their own therapy and an agency setting for their practice and supervision. Guidelines for what constitutes a suitable agency, supervision and personal therapy will be provided.
Course content
The main units of the course are:
Year 1
Introduction to the theory of person-centred counselling
Introduction to the theory of psychodynamic counselling
Working professionally as a counsellor
Introduction to counselling practice (Skills Practice)
Self development for counsellors
Study Skills
Year 2
Integrative practice for counsellors
Client issues in counselling
Developing a professional approach to counselling
Work-based learning for counsellors
Reflective Self Development for Counsellors
Advanced study skills
Theory
A programme of seminars developing understanding of the self, personal history and interpersonal relating.
Professional Framework
A programme of seminars designed to equip students with the knowledge of practice issues. Seminars will be mainly tutor-led and will involve discussion of typical practice issues.
Skills Development
A series of practice sessions aimed at helping students develop their ability to work with clients. A variety of skills exercises are used including whole group work, pairs work and work in triads.
Case discussion
Working in groups, students will take turns to present actual client work. The objective is to enable students to integrate theory, self awareness and skills into ethical and professional practice.
Specific issues
There will be a number of sessions given over to looking at counselling people with specific issues such as bereavement, abuse issues etc
How to apply
In the first instance apply via UCAS. Details online at www.ucas.com. The closing date for applications is 15th January 2011. After this date you will be treated as a ‘late’ applicant.
UCAS Course Code: B940
Gloucestershire College Code: G45