University profile

New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling

Edition
2022/23 edition

About New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling

The New School is a centre of excellence for training and research in existential psychotherapy, counselling psychology, coaching, neurodiversity and pastoral care. It has attracted many experienced and creative teachers and trainers as well as numerous research supervisors with a record of original research publications in the field.

It was founded and established by Prof. Emmy van Deurzen, an international authority on existential therapy, psychologist, philosopher and author of many seminal texts in the field, together with Prof. Digby Tantam, an eminent psychotherapist, philosopher, researcher and influential author in the field of autism. Emmy previously founded the School of Psychotherapy at Regent’s College as well as the Society for Existential Analysis and ensured that the New School courses would be deeply rooted in the tradition of continental philosophy.

PG subjects available

NSPC offers joint psychotherapy and counselling psychology doctoral programmes with Middlesex University with the option of post-graduate diploma and masters exits.

NSPC also offer validated masters or postgraduate courses in the following

  • MSc Autism and Related Neurodevelopmental Conditions
  • PGDip Autism and Related Neurodevelopmental Conditions
  • PGCert Autism
  • PGCert Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • MA in Diversity Studies
  • MA in Existential Coaching
  • MA in Existential and Humanist Pastoral Care
  • MSc in Psychotherapy Studies

There is also foundation course in counselling and psychotherapy, and a variety of short courses, one day workshops and numerous introductory courses. It has a unique online programme, the septimus courses, which are integrated with the doctoral programme, or can be taken as stand-alone modules.

Future career prospects

The completion of our courses leads to a wide range of professional accreditation that facilitate career development. Completion of the Counselling psychology doctorate, doctorate in existential psychotherapy, and masters in psychotherapy studies, together with further placement and supervision at NSPC (up to 450 hours of supervised practice) qualifies graduates to apply for accreditation with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). Graduates of the doctorate in counselling psychology qualify to apply for chartership with the BPS and eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC as a practitioner, counselling psychologist. With a small amount of additional study, it also makes you eligible for registration with the Universities Psychotherapy and Counselling Association (UPCA) and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).

Successful completion of the Existential Coaching MA 2-year programme leads to a sufficient number of hours of training and coaching practice for candidates to be able to apply for membership of the International Coaching Federation and various other coaching qualification schemes via the portfolio route. Our graduates almost all go into private practice, which they begin to set up in year two of the programme. Many hold additional roles in academia as authors and lecturers.

Graduates of our Existential and Humanist Pastoral Care are eligible for registration with the Non-Religious Pastoral Support Network (which in turn leads to UKBHC registration) and as a Humanist Celebrant for weddings, funerals and naming ceremonies. Our graduates go into a wide range of settings including the NHS.

Completion of the MSc in Autism and related neurodevelopmental condition, and the other related postgraduate courses (e.g. PGCert in ADHD), provide mental health, social care and education focused professionals with the qualifications to work as specialists in their fields of practice. Opening up career opportunities with autism/neurodiversity specialist services and centres (e.g. assessment, mental health, further education). The courses also enhance the skills and knowledge of those already working as autism/neurodiversity specialists.

English language support

Students are required to have fluent English.

Facilities and support arrangements

NSPC is able to offer flexible and blended learning programmes. We have a centre in West Hampstead, London where students on some of the courses can attend in person. Some of our courses, such as the neurodiversity programmes, are held wholly online. Online programmes are delivered using a bespoke learning platform called Moodle and Zoom (video chat) tutorials. The theory modules are mainly asynchronous, and can fit around a busy life, or caring commitments as well as being accessible worldwide.

Our West Hampstead centre has a library and learning spaces that students can use for their studies or to speak with staff.

Fees, funding and costs

Fees vary depending on the programme. If you are on a doctoral course and are a UK resident you are eligible to apply for a student loan as these programmes are held jointly with Middlesex University. You must meet the criteria and have been offered a place, on the doctoral course before applying. The loan is between you and Middlesex University. NSPC are not involved in the process. The loan payment will not cover all the costs for a term. You may need to pay an additional amount, on average around £600 if you take 3 modules a term. Fees are charged per module as you take them, so costs are spread across each year rather than by an annual lump sum.

Location

We are based in West Hampstead in London, although many of our programmes are wholly online and accessible world-wide.

How to apply

To apply go to our website and search for the relevant course, you will be able to apply directly online, or you can contact our friendly admin team on +44(0)204 534

Contact details

Email
office@nspc.org.uk
Telephone
+44(0)204 534 3030
Address
Existential Academy
61-63 Fortune Green Road
London
England
NW6 1DR
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