MSc in Person-Centred Psychotherapy & Applications - Conversion course

Programme Leader Dr Anne Smith

Validated by Middlesex University

The conversion course offers a substantial CPD programme for 2 years culminating in a Masters qualification and registration as a Person- Centred Psychotherapist with UKCP. The curriculum content consolidates and integrates prior Person Centred theory and practice with a more in-depth clinical knowledge base, addressing personality and character styles, diagnoses of mental disorders in reference to DSM 5, and complex mental health issues relating to trauma, complex PTSD, traumatic death and loss, shame and depression. The PC approach to psychopathology and therapeutic practice will be applied to the above content by drawing upon leading authors in the field and extrapolating the Person Centred approach in reference to internal processes, intrapersonal meaning and relationship with self, interpersonal and inter subjective relationships with others.

The second major focus lies in equipping participants to develop as practitioner researchers. This enhances practitioner credibility in the wider field whilst contributing to the practitioner’s own professional development and academic achievement. This part of the curriculum is concerned with the principles of research governance, ethical research practice, preparation for and carrying out a research study related to psychotherapy practice. Research methodology, data collection and analysis feature strongly over the two curriculum years to support the research activity. Additionally, and in conjunction with the curriculum described above, published research papers consistently inform curriculum content throughout the two years, contributing to participants’ capacity to both critique and be informed by research. The long established tradition of the qualitative research paradigm and its equally long standing relationship within PC practice, is a major feature throughout, thus integrating the two main foci for this conversion programme.

Structure:

MSc Years 1 & 2 are taught in 10 monthly, modular units for each year with theoretical and practice written assignments built in throughout each year. MSc Year 1 begins with a focus on research principles and ethical research practice, leading to an application to the Ethics Committee for approval of the proposed research study. This will allow for the research to begin in MSc Year 1 with a view to the completed research dissertation submitted by May (or earlier) of MSc Year 2.

A reflexive study of a psychotherapy relationship is also due to be submitted in April of MSc Year 2. The final assessment is the Viva Voce which can be taken once the reflexive study and the research dissertation have both been successfully completed. It would be possible to sit the Viva at the end of MSc Year 2 if all written assignments were complete. In the event of, possibly the research having taken longer, it would be possible to complete in the following academic year.

Assessment requirements for UKCP Registration:

• Successful completion of all written assignments
• 450 hours of clinical practice
• 150 hours of clinical supervision
• The clinical hours need to be accrued prior to sitting the Viva.

This programme was developed and is delivered and assessed by Metanoia Institute awarded by and quality assured by Middlesex University.

For full details please download the course leaflet below.

To register your interest or for further details please email Imogen Thomas, or call her on 020 8579 2505.