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Teaching
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
The essential elements to gain the diploma
- Successful completion of the course study hours including completion of a placement comprising 100 supervised practice hours during the course.
- Continuous weekly personal therapy during the three years of the programme
- Successful completion of the academic requirements and the practical skills assessment elements of the course
- Ongoing student membership of UPCA
The essential elements to gain registration
- Satisfactory completion of all elements of the PG Diploma in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapeutic Counselling.
- Satisfactory completion of an annual CPD audit
- Completion of an additional 350 post qualifying hours of supervised clinical practice.
- Satisfactory outcome of a readiness for registration interview
NB : Under UKCP regulations, individuals remain trainee psychotherapeutic counsellors until they have met all accreditation requirements and have achieved UKCP registration. The accreditation the course holds is for those entering the programme in September 2018 or later.
| One to one supervision | 3 hours per year |
|---|---|
| Seminars & classes | The course is taught one day a week over three ten-week terms for three years. The first and second years are taught on a Thursday and the third year on a Wednesday. In addition there will be one four-day intensive session in years one and two; attendance is required on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the relevant weeks. Dates for 2018 are 31 Oct – 3 Nov inclusive. Students are also required to choose two Cambridge Forum for Children’s Emotional Well-being workshops to attend over the three years. |
| Lectures | The course is taught one day a week over three ten-week terms for three years. The first and second years are taught on a Thursday and the third year on a Wednesday. In addition there will be one four-day intensive session in years one and two; attendance is required on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the relevant weeks. Dates for 2018 are 31 Oct – 3 Nov inclusive. Students are also required to choose two Cambridge Forum for Children’s Emotional Well-being workshops to attend over the three years. |
Placements
Students are involved in practical work in a placement environment.
Feedback
Students receive formal feedback on their assignments and informal feedback throughout the course (including through supervision). They also receive feedback on practice that is observed by a tutor and engage in regular personal reviews with a tutor each term.
Assessment
Thesis
Year 1 - 4000 word assignment
Year 2 - 3000 word assignment and 5000 word literature review
Year 3 - Case study presentation, 4000 word equivalent. Also a practice viva.
Essays
Year 1 - 4000 word assignment
Year 2 - 3000 word assignment and 5000 word literature review
Year 3 - Case study presentation, 4000 word equivalent. Also a practice viva.
Practical assessment
Year 1 - 4000 word assignment
Year 2 - 3000 word assignment and 5000 word literature review
Year 3 - Case study presentation, 4000 word equivalent. Also a practice viva.