Advanced Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Counselling

The Advanced Diploma aims to deepen trainees understanding of Humanistic Integrative Counselling and its application to counselling practice. The course is an advanced practitioner training and assumes that trainees have a solid foundation in the Humanistic Integrative model, and an ability to apply skills from this approach within the counselling setting. On completion of the course, students qualifying for the Advanced Diploma will have met the training criteria in respect of individual accreditation with the BACP.

The Advanced Diploma is the second year of the two-year BACP Accredited Course. CPPD does not admit students to the Advanced Diploma via APL, as the whole of the 2 year training must be fully completed for a student to be awarded the Advanced Diploma

Structure
The Advanced Diploma is a one-year part time course spanning three terms. Each term consists of 10 weekly evening seminars. The course begins with an intensive weekend of study and also includes two further weekends and three Saturdays. The year also includes attendance at three weekend modules from the CPPD Short Course Programme: CBT, Time-Limited Counselling, and Psychiatry, Psychopathology & Psychodynamics.

In addition, trainees attend a monthly supervision group of three hours and a monthly individual supervision session. All students are also expected to complete a minimum of 100 client contact hours over the year. Students are also expected to complete a minimum of 40 hours of personal therapy during the year.

 
 

Course in detail

 
 

Course hours

Two intakes yearly:

Spring intake
Autumn intake

Programme

Counselling Theory
The Advanced Diploma provides an arena for trainees to develop their understanding of how Humanistic and Psychodynamic theory and practice can be combined, in an effective coherent integrative framework.

Students will be introduced to:

  • Object Relations Theory, with key concepts from Psychoanalytic sources including Klein, Winnicott, Bion and Bowlby. They will deepen their understanding of the application of the 5 Relationship Model (Petruska Clarkson).

  • They will be enabled to identify major areas of similarity and difference between Object Relations and Humanistic theories, especially in relation to the Person Centred approach, as well as Gestalt, TA and Existential counselling.

  • They will explore the issue of personality disorders, contra-indications to counselling and the effects of medication. Professional issues such as Codes of Ethics and Practice, assessment, the organisational context of clinical work, medical and legal issues will be explored.

  • They will be made aware of the arguments for and against integration, including the historical and philosophical underpinning of the Integrative approach.

The theoretical training is imparted through didactic teaching, experiential learning, case discussion, selecting their areas of interest, and assistance and support will be offered where necessary. If appropriate, students may continue in their placement from the Diploma year.

Supervision
To assist trainees with integrating theory into practice, and in their development as competent practitioners. Students attend:

  • a monthly one-hour individual supervision session

  • a monthly three-hour group supervision session, with a maximum of three students in the group.

 Trainees’ practice is supported in the individual and group supervision through the presentation of clinical material, case discussion, awareness of transference and counter-transference issues and practitioner/client roleplays.

Assessment
Continuous throughout the year and includes elements of self, peer and tutor evaluation. Students are required to successfully complete three written assignments throughout the year (3000-3500 words each). These include a theoretical essay, case study and a student presentation, which is also submitted in essay format. Clinical practice is supported through ongoing assessment by the clinical supervisor.

Assessment is based on the demonstration of skills through case presentation of their work with clients, including the submission of three audio-taped counselling sessions, as well as active participation within the whole group and in skills based exercises. Students are expected to attend every session and a minimum attendance of 80% is required for the Advanced Diploma to be issued.

Contact time
225 hours

 
 
 

Our Policies

 
 
 

Student Conduct
and Performance policy

This policy is designed to support student success in a structured, consistent and fair way, to ensure they understand their responsibilities and to ensure that actions taken are individualised, proportionate and designed to give rise to improvement. Simply click the button below to download a copy of the full policy.

 
 
 
 

Equality
& Diversity policy

CPPD is committed to promoting equality and diversity. We aim to provide an inclusive and supportive environment for our students and staff where people are treated equally, everyone is treated with dignity and respect, and where we operate a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying and harassment. Simply click the button below to download a copy of the full policy.

 
 
 
 

Complaints
Procedure

This procedure exists for the use of past and present students on the course, trainers and others closely associated with the course. Simply click the button below to download a copy of the full procedure.