Description

The MA Counselling & Psychotherapy is a practice-oriented programme that equips students with adequate knowledge and skills to practice safely and ethically counselling and psychotherapy. Moreover, it provides focused training in the integrative model that constitutes the latest trend in the psychotherapeutic practice, as it combines techniques and theories from a wide range of psychotherapeutic approaches (e.g. person-centred, cognitive, psychodynamic, gestalt, existential approach), based on the premise that humans are complex and it is difficult and risky to interpret their behaviour on the basis of a single theory. The therapeutic model taught in the programme is the internationally recognised Egan model, oriented towards problem solving.

The basic objectives of the programme are to provide students with the opportunity to:

• • Gain a qualifying award that meets the criteria and guidelines for the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy programme accreditation and work towards BACP individual practitioner accreditation.
  • Develop a sound basis for professional and ethical practice in the counselling and psychotherapy field.
  • Take an active role as members of a professional community.
  • Enhance and extend academic and professional development to Masters degree level and contribute to professional body CPD requirements.

The programme is designed and delivered in accordance with the criteria of programme certification of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). This means that each graduate is entitled to apply individually in order to be admitted as member in the Association.

Duration: 2 years (Postgraduate Diploma) or 3 years (MA)

Modules

• Personal development
• Βasic counseling skills and techniques
• Person-centred approach and practice
• CBT approach and practice
• Introduction to mental health issues and Ethics
• Introduction to counselling and social context
• Introduction to clinical supervision and working with clients

• Research methods in counselling and psychotherapy, dissertationPersonal development advanced counseling skills
• Psychodynamic theory andpractice
• The Egan Model and practice
• Integrative models and practice
• Specific mental health issues
• Introduction to specialized approaches (e.g. Gestalt, existential)
• Supervised clinical practice

• Research methods in counselling and psychotherapy
• Dissertation

Career Prospects

Completing the programme often leads to career progression within their current employment that involves counselling/psychotherapy. Graduates also can:

• • • Use the Diploma/MA to apply for voluntary placements.
    • Set-up their own private/independent practice.
    • Become trainers or supervisors.
    • Apply for paid work in various setting that involve counselling and psychotherapy.

Admission Requirements

First degree or equivalent professional qualifications and/or experience that, in the opinion of the selectors, is indicative of the ability to achieve the standards of the programme.

Appropriate personal qualities, including:

• • Self-awareness, maturity and stability
  • Ability to make use of and reflect upon life experience
  • Capacity to cope with the emotional demands of the programme
  • Ability to cope with the intellectual and academic requirements
  • Ability to form a helping relationship characterized by empathy, acceptance and genuineness
  • Ability to be self-critical and use both positive and negative feedback
  • Awareness of the nature of prejudice and oppression
  • Awareness of issues of difference and equality
  • Ability to recognize the need for personal and professional support
  • Commitment to self-development
  • Competence in, or the aptitude to develop generic professional skills, including: literacy, numeracy, information technology, administrative skills, self-management skills, communication and interpersonal skills.

Successful applicants usually have some previous counselling skills training, relevant experience of working with people and some experience of their own personal therapy.

Academic Staff

The academic staff of the Faculty of Human Sciences.consists of distinguished lecturers, holders of Masters and PhD degrees with extensive research and teaching experience at Greek and foreign Universities plus professional recognition in their field of expertise.

In their majority they also work in various settings, institutions, clinics, hospitals, schools, nurseries, NGOs, private companies, etc. as psychologists, education experts, special educators, etc. and have extensive professional experience in their field of expertise who can familiarize students with the latest methods and help them put to practice the theoretical knowledge they acquire in class.