Diploma in Humanistic and Integrative Counselling

Introduction

Students are taught using experiential learning methods, combined with core readings and handouts which provide explanation of theoretical concepts. The aim is to bring the concepts to life and enhance self-awareness through self-reflection. Students engage with agency placements, regular supervision and individual weekly counselling or psychotherapy. In the second year of the diploma, students begin in private practice with the support of tutors and supervisors.

Our theoretical approach integrates concepts and ways of working from Humanistic and Psychodynamic traditions. We draw on the work of Klein, Winnicott, Bowlby, Jung, Erikson, Stern, Lowen and Rogers, as well as more recent theorists from Humanistic, Psychodynamic, Attachment and Body Process theory.

Course Structure

The course is taught one day a week over two academic years, with up to a further year of supervised practice while preparing the Diploma submission papers. 

A minimum of 8 hours private practice with one client must be completed in order to be granted the Diploma. An additional element of online and telephone counselling is now being incorporated into the training, and this requires conditions for participation:-the need for good internet connection; suitable technology/devices; technical ability to work online; and a private space to attend online training sessions and /or for OPT sessions if remote client work at the student's home is required/allowed.

The BCPC Diploma is awarded to students who have passed all elements of the course and achieved a minimum of 150 supervised practice hours. As the Diploma is a BACP accredited course, BCPC graduates are automatically eligible to become BACP Registered Counsellors.  A total of 450 hours are required to become a BACP accredited counsellor and/or a UKCP Psychotherapeutic Counsellor. 

Students are required to be in individual counselling or psychotherapy with a practitioner on the BCPC Approved Lists, at least weekly throughout the course and up to completion, the cost of which is not included in the tuition fees. Students are also required to keep a journal and complete several pieces of academic writing.

Skills practice places emphasis on the experience of an authentic relationship between counsellor and client. This is developed through group and individual feedback processes. Trainees will learn skills of self-reflection and an awareness of personal, interpersonal and group process.

Individuals admitted onto this programme embark on a thorough and in depth training that involves:

• Additional training in working online and by telephone
• BCPC approved agency placements
• Regular supervision
• Experientially taught seminars
• Practical application groups
• Skills practice
• Supervision groups
• Critiquing taped sessions
• Writing self-assessments
• Writing academic essays

Curriculum

Diploma Year 1

Length of stage: one academic year (34 day-long meetings)

In the first year, students work with clients in agency placements where they receive regular supervision. Students are ordinarily expected to complete approximately 50 hours of supervised counselling within the placement, and a proportion of these may be online/telephone sessions, with the majority in person. In addition to this, students meet for experientially taught theoretical seminars, business meetings and check-ins, skills practice, practical application groups, process groups, and tutorials. Opportunities are given each week for students to process the emotional impact of the training.

Each student receives three tutorials (two of 25 minutes and one of 50 minutes), which take place outside of designated course time.

Students are expected to support their learning by reading all set books for the stage as well as a selection from a broader reading list. We recommend allowing four hours per week for such study.

Diploma Year 2

Length of stage: one academic year (34 day-long meetings)

The training in the second year continues to integrate theory, practice and self-reflection. There is particular emphasis on finding ways of working at relational depth in short-term contracts, enabling students to find appropriate work in organisational settings. Students continue to gain counselling experience in the agency placement and again a proportion of these may be online/telephone sessions, with the majority in person. In the second or third term of this year students must attend fortnightly supervision (not included in course fees). Once sufficiently prepared via this process they may begin to take on private clients with the support of their tutors and supervisors.

The course meets for seminars, supervision groups, business meetings, and process groups where the emotional impact of the training is given space for exploration and expression. Each student receives three 50-minute tutorials during the year, which take place outside of designated course time.

Reading for this stage is a combination of the set books for Year 2 and a student's own developing interests in line with their dissertation. We recommend allowing six hours per week for study.

Diploma Year 3 - Submission Year

Length of stage: up to 18 months

During this stage students have up to 18 months to submit their papers for the diploma. Tutors continue to support the students while they continue in personal counselling or psychotherapy, supervision and tutorials. Submission papers for the diploma consist of a dissertation, case study and self-assessment, evidence of 150 supervised counselling hours, verification of personal therapy, and tutor, peer and supervisor's reports.

How to Apply

Below is a brief guide on how to apply. For detailed information, especially concerning application deadlines, interview dates and course dates, please download the Course Information Sheet via the link at the top of this page.

Once you have submitted your application you will get an acknowledgement email to confirm that it was successfully received. If you have any questions about the process or the application form please contact admin@bcpc.org.uk or telephone 01225 429 720. 

If you do not hear from us within 3 working days following submission of your application, please email admin@bcpc.org.uk to check we have received it.

The application deadline is 01 May 2024. All Interviews to be held on 03 June 2024.

External applicants

Please download the External Application Form BCPC Diplomas 2024. Please note we charge a £45 non-refundable application fee. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you following receipt of your application. Two references, submitted on BCPC reference forms are required. This should be one from a previous tutor or employer and one personal and cannot be from a family member or therapist. The reference form template will be emailed to you following receipt of your application. Applicants will be shortlisted for interview on the basis of their applications. As an external applicant, please ensure you have read the entry criteria here: https://www.bcpc.org.uk/traini...

Internal applicants

This is people who have completed our Foundation Certificate and are applying to our psychotherapy or counselling diploma. Please download the Internal Application Form BCPC Diplomas 2024. Please note we charge a £45 non-refundable application fee and this should be sent when you submit your application by BACS or cheque. If we do not receive your payment at the time of your application we will send a reminder. Otherwise, please take it that your payment has been received. Two references are required; one from your current Foundation tutor (please let them know about your application) on the tutor reference form and one from a person other than either of your referees for Foundation. Please send this person this reference form and ask them to return it to the BCPC Office as soon as possible.

BCPC Bursary (Internal Applicants only)

If you are an internal applicant who meets the criteria to apply for the BCPC bursary, you can download the application form here Application Form for BCPC Bursary 2024 25. Please email your completed form to officemanager@bcpc.org.uk by the deadline of 01 May 2024.

Interviews

Our interview day is structured as a workshop-style experience. Applicants will be short-listed for interview on the basis of their applications. Please note that the interview day will be 03 June 2024. We are unable to offer alternative interview dates. 

Job Prospects

We like to keep apace with what our graduates are doing and so we send out an annual survey. This shows that many of our graduates work in agency settings - some of which are offered to them as students - in primary care/G.P surgeries, University counselling services and private practice. Graduates also go on to specialise and take post graduate courses in work with young people, couples, or in specialist approaches to trauma such as EMDR.

Entry Requirements

Interested in applying for our Diploma in Humanistic and Integrative Counselling? Visit our Entry Requirements page to find out more.

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