Taught course

Counselling and Psychotherapy

Institution
London Metropolitan University · School of Social Professions
Qualifications
MSc

Entry requirements

You will be required to have:

  • an honours degree in a relevant discipline with a minimum 2:2
  • English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent)
  • an enhanced DBS check
  • relevant experience (i.e., voluntary or paid work involving working with vulnerable or distressed individuals)
  • sufficient availability to complete 100 supervised client contact hours in a work placement

Applicants with relevant professional qualifications and/or professional experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis, as will any applicants declaring previous cautions or convictions.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This Counselling and Psychotherapy MSc course will give you the academic and practical training to become eligible to practice as a counsellor. We offer an integrative approach to counselling and psychotherapy based upon person-centred, cognitive-behavioural, and psychodynamic therapeutic frameworks, which will enable you to succeed in your future career in the counselling professions.

This course places value on learning through experience, collaborative projects in small groups, as well as reflective, non-discriminatory, and ethical counselling practice. Through the exploration of different therapeutic frameworks, you’ll develop essential practitioner skills and learn how to ethically apply them to support clients with differing expectations and needs.

By developing advanced levels of knowledge and practical counselling skills, you’ll also learn to critically reflect on your own experiences and practice to maintain the highest standards that protect those using counselling services.

The Counselling and Psychotherapy MSc is studied on a full-time basis over two years, studying on campus one day per week. On successful completion, you’ll have gained the 100 supervised client contact hours required for individual membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and may also apply to join the BACP professional register, subject to passing the BACP Certificate of Proficiency. You’ll have access to a placement coordinator who will help you to secure a work placement. From this, you’ll have the confidence and experience required to become a reflective, non-discriminatory, and ethical practitioner.

During your first year, you’ll explore different counselling frameworks and their application in a range of settings and develop the core practical skills required to begin your supervised placement. In your second year, you’ll develop your ability to build effective therapeutic relationships with clients and to use your reflective skills to enhance your practical skills, ensuring reflective, non-discriminatory, and ethical counselling practice. You’ll also develop a critical understanding of the role of research in the development of counselling practice and will complete a supervised research dissertation on a topic of your choice.

By completing our Counselling and Psychotherapy MSc at London Met, you’ll be eligible to apply for individual membership of the BACP and may also apply for professional registration, subject to passing the BACP Certificate of Proficiency. You’ll graduate with the confidence and experience to engage with clients from all backgrounds across different settings in the public and voluntary sectors and in private practice.

Counselling and Psychotherapy PG Dip

If you would prefer to gain a professional qualification and practical experience to work as a counsellor and do not wish to complete the full MSc programme, you can exit with a Counselling and Psychotherapy PG Dip, after which you’ll be eligible to apply for individual membership of the BACP and may also apply to join the BACP professional register, subject to passing the BACP Certificate of Proficiency.

Counselling and Psychotherapy PG Cert

You can also exit after one year with a PG Cert in Counselling and Psychotherapy, equipped with a range of counselling skills and knowledge and understanding of the main therapeutic frameworks and their ethical application.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

  • MSc
    full time
    24 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
    part time
    48 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name
Dr Paul Hutchinson
Email
p.hutchison@londonmet.ac.uk