Counselling Psychology Professional Doctorate

An intensive applied professional training programme accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

This course gives you a doctorate-level education and training in psychotherapy and applied psychology, leading to the award of Doctor in Counselling Psychology. It includes a comprehensive programme of taught modules, 450 hours of supervised counselling psychology practice in a range of placements, and a doctoral research thesis. Experts guide you through psychotherapeutic theory, personal and professional development, and clinical practice. Our course builds upon Counselling Psychology's existential-phenomenological base as it integrates:

* contemporary developments of relational psychotherapy


* high-quality research that applies to real world contexts


* critical perspectives that deconstruct, decolonise, and reframe psychopathology


* the voices and knowledge of experts and those working across a range of related helping professions


* a caring ethos that brings together staff, students, external stakeholders, and the wider community.

In-depth preparation for practice\
You'll receive thorough training on personal, professional and academic levels. This will require you to combine your unique psychobiography and social identities with advanced psychological theory as a basis for mindful and ethical clinical practice.

The training will equip you to work in a broad range of settings, including the NHS, industry, the third sector, private practice, academic and research roles, and many others. We have an extended network with partner providers and practices including NHS services and established charities. This makes our programme popular with prospective candidates and highly desirable with employers. Many of our graduates develop into portfolio professionals who combine interests and work in multiple contexts (for example, the NHS, consultancy, advocacy work, private practice and teaching/training).

This training is based on the relational psychodynamic approach, coupled with advanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and an introduction to systemic approaches. It's designed to help you develop a critical and relational, integrative perspective that'll be authentic to your personal style and help you move in the direction you want as a therapist and as a member of society. For example, you may have already studied client-centred or existential therapy as part of counselling certificate courses. The programme team is committed to the view that the therapeutic relationship is the key factor in promoting client change, and that counselling psychologists should help to address structural barriers that contribute to poor mental health.

The full-time route takes three years to complete, while the part-time route can be completed in four or five years. If you don't complete the Professional Doctorate route, you may be eligible for a Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate in Psychotherapeutic Studies, or a Master's in Psychological Therapy.

You must engage in personal therapy during the course; a minimum of 60 hours is a requirement for gaining the award of Doctor of Counselling Psychology. This reflects our central focus on 'use of self' and a relational approach to practice. Please note that the cost for this is not included in the course fees.