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Core Elements
Core elements of the course include theory, practice and personal development. Students will undertake a supervised practice placement, personal therapy and a young child observation. There is a personal development group that runs for a year of the programme. In addition, the teaching and learning methods used encourage constant self-awareness and personal development. The core theoretical model of the training is integrative, developmental, relational and eco-systemic. This means that the course brings together elements from different theories to make a coherent whole.
There is an emphasis on:
- The nature of a therapeutic relationship
- Child and adolescent development
- The uniqueness of the individual
- Examining key theoretical perspectives in counselling and psychotherapy including the psychodynamic, the humanistic and increasingly the neuroscientific
- Working eco-systemically with children's networks and contexts
- Working with play and the arts
Learning Outcomes
The programme is designed to enable participants to:
- Work therapeutically with children and young people especially through communication using the arts and play.
- Develop the skills of psychotherapeutic counselling in one-to-one and group settings through the use of practicums, experiential, active learning methods, practical work with other students and undertaking a supervised practice placement.
- Gain a thorough knowledge and understanding of the theoretical base of psychotherapeutic counselling.
- Gain a thorough knowledge and understanding of the social and emotional development of young people.
- Explore the ethical and professional aspects of working therapeutically with children and adolescents in schools and other setting
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