This module will strengthen your knowledge of a variety of counselling theoretical models. Theories studied include person-centred, cognitive behavioural, psychodynamic, and systemic approaches and a consideration of attachment theory. There will be significant evaluation of the similarities and differences between theories, the implications for practice and the case for and against integration of approaches. You will integrate different concepts into your own practice, to begin to create your identity as an integrative counsellor. This will be in part reflexive - mainly through independent journaling work, and group and individual work.

Ethical and professional issues (grounded within the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) ethical framework) will be considered, to develop your own moral and ethical principles based on reviews of principles and issues including confidentiality, therapeutic boundaries, ethical dilemmas and clinical supervision. This will increase your awareness of personal identity and the impact this has on personal, professional and counselling relationships.

There are two elements of assessment for this module:

1: An ESSAY of 3,500 words integrating learning from different areas of counselling theory and research (weighted at 100%), showing reflexive ability around practice and illustrate your developing counselling approach with examples from skills practice or placement

2: Portfolio submission to contain:
*Counsellor contract (submitted as part of module one)
*Signed statement evidencing 10 hours of completed therapy (submitted as part of module two)
*Learning log to evidence professional development and reflection on academic learning.
*Passed readiness to practice assessment.
*Evidence of BACP student membership.
*Completed DBS
Placement contract
Supervision contract

Items marked by asterisk are mandatory in all submissions. Students who have begun placement are additionally required to include the placement and supervision contract in their portfolio.

Formative assessment:
Small group work around students’ developing integrative approach uses a skills example to look at theory informing practice

Contact Hours:
65 hours of lectures and small and large group work

Independent study: 135 hours of Reading, Assessment preparation, Personal reflection and journal writing.

The module takes place weekly, from weeks 21-30

This counselling module will include discussions, experiential exercises, working in triads and larger groups. The interactive lectures will include tutor led presentations and facilitate discussions around different approaches to counselling and psychotherapy and how to integrate these ethically. Students will be expected to undertake extra reading, both general and directed by the course tutors. This is necessary to help develop and broaden knowledge ethics with the purpose of accomplishing the assessed work and to encourage self-directed enquiry and learning. Reflective practice is encouraged and facilitated by a personal professional development group and completing a personal development journal.

1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of a variety of contemporary counselling approaches. Evaluate and demonstrate critical awareness of contemporary problems in their application, and limitations in contemporary counselling practice. Analysis, Knowledge & understanding.

2. Demonstrate originality in application of knowledge to integration of counselling theories in professional practice. Evaluate development of an integrative counselling approach with commitment to working ethically in complex situations within legal frameworks and codes for professional practice. Application, Learning, Problem-solving.

3. Demonstrate critical reflective awareness of required professional counselling skills, including self-management, time management, maintaining boundaries, anti-discriminatory practice. Communicate clearly how they relate to development of your integrative counselling approach. Communication, Reflection.

4. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the relationship between counselling theory, research, professional and ethical issues at the forefront of contemporary integrative counselling practice. Knowledge & understanding.

Computer and projection facilities for lectures
Break out rooms for triad group work
Counselling textbooks
Access to Learning Resource Centre and library facilities

Cooper, M., and Dryden, W. (2016). The handbook of pluralistic counselling and psychotherapy. London: Sage
Erskine, R. (2011). Integrative psychotherapy in Action. UK: Routledge
Lapworth, P., and Sills, C. (2009). Integration in counselling and psychotherapy: developing a personal approach. London: Sage
Oldale, M., and Cooke, M. (2015). Making the most of counselling and psychotherapy placements. London: Sage

Certificate in Counselling level 3
Degree 2.1 or higher
Prior experiences and/or alternative qualifications may be accepted where possible

Developing your integrative professional identity
On an integrative course you will necessarily learn about a number of approaches. We show you in this module, not only several different approaches, including systemic, psychodynamic, CBT and person-centred approaches, along with a consideration of attachment theory, but how you can integrate aspects of these into your practice to have an appealing skillset as an integrative practitioner.