Counselling Psychology (HCPC approved and BPS accredited) - PyschD

• The PsychD programme is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
• You will be taught by a team of experienced practitioners and trainers, including leading international figures in the field.
• The programme offers a variety of opportunities to undertake clinical placements and research projects including at Roehampton's CREST clinic.
• The programme provides high levels of support for trainees' clinical and research development and an emphasis on employability.
• In the Research Excellence Framework 2014, the leading national assessment of quality, 100% of the research we submitted was rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ for its impact.

Summary

This programme provides professional training that leads to eligibility for registration as a counselling psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and chartered status with the British Psychological Society (BPS).

This programme has recently been updated and re-validated to incorporate new BPS standards. It is at the leading edge of international developments in counselling psychology practice, research and theory; and brings together contemporary understandings from person-centred psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioural models of therapy. There is a strong emphasis on your identity and employability as a practitioner psychologist, including skills in assessment and formulation, leadership, service evaluation, psychological testing, qualitative and quantitative research methods.

The course is based on a pluralistic relational philosophy that values diversity, and promotes individual empowerment and social change. This means that we respect and value a wide range of approaches to psychological intervention and research, view relationships as central to wellbeing, and seek to enable trainees to make a positive difference both at an individual and social level through their clinical and research work.

See a short video about counselling psychology featuring the University of Roehampton's Professor Mick Cooper.

You will join a vibrant community of practitioners and researchers, who will help you achieve your goals, and enable you to make a valuable contribution to the field of counselling psychology.

• Applications are currently open for September 2018.
• Selection interviews are likely to take place on 15 February, 25 April and 14 June 2018.
• The deadline to be considered for February interviews is 18 January 2018.
• The deadline to be considered for the April interviews is the 28 March 2018. 
• The deadline to be considered for June interviews is 17 May 2018.
• Before submitting an application all candidates must read the full Programme Outline and entry requirements.
• To apply for this programme, applicants should click on the ‘apply for this course’ link above and submit an online application via the ‘Postgraduate taught programmes’ tab.
• The tuition fees for this programme do not include the costs of personal therapy, which trainees are required to undertake as part of the programme.

Content

In years one and two as a trainee, you will focus on gaining clinical experience working in person-centred and psychodynamic models of therapy respectively. In year three, you will have the option of gaining experience working in a cognitive-behavioural, integrative or pluralistic model. By the end of the programme, you will have completed a minimum requirement of 450 supervised client hours in a range of placement settings.

Starting in your second year, you will work towards the production of a doctoral portfolio to showcase and integrate your learning as a counselling psychologist, across both professional practice and research domains. The portfolio contains elements, such as research papers, that you will be encouraged to submit for publication, thus further enhancing your professional contribution and employability.

During your training, you will develop key transferable skills as a practitioner psychologist, in research, psychological testing, service evaluation, team working and leadership. Your development will be closely supported and monitored throughout the programme, using formative and summative assessment, involving clinical tutors and research supervisors.

The programme is affiliated to the Centre for Research in Social and Psychological Transformation (CREST). CREST carries out world-leading research into psychological therapies. You have the option of choosing an area of doctoral inquiry that is aligned with CREST research activities. CREST also has a dedicated therapy and research clinic located at the university. This provides unique opportunities for you to engage in cutting-edge research. You can also undertake practice placements within the clinic.

Modules

Here are examples of some the modules we currently offer:

• Professional Practice and Development
• Person-centred and Experiential Theory and Practice
• Inclusion Ethics and Social Justice
• Assessment Formulation and Clinical Presentations
• Research in Counselling Psychology
• Advanced Practice and Research

Compulsory and Required modules

Compulsory and/or required modules may change when we review and update programmes. Above is a list of modules offered this academic year.

Optional modules

Optional modules, when offered as part of a programme, may vary from year to year and are subject to viability.

Career options

As an HCPC registered Counselling Psychologist you will be qualified to work in a range of settings, including the NHS, the voluntary sector and private practice. As well as providing psychotherapeutic interventions, your work may include providing clinical supervision, service management, teaching, research and consultancy. Click here to find out more about the scope of counselling psychology and about careers on the BPS website.

Visit the Counselling Psychology (HCPC approved and BPS accredited) - PyschD page on the University of Roehampton website for more details!