BA Counselling and Psychotherapy

Next Intake - September 2010

Venues:
38 Lower Leeson Street
Athlone Institute of Technology

Dublin City University (DCU)

Head of Counselling and Psychotherapy Department - Dr Damian Davy (Former President of The Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP))

The 3 year part time BA in Counselling and Psychotherapy provides a comprehensive professional educational programme. On successful completion the course leads directly to a BA (Level 7) in Counselling and Psychotherapy. The course has been developed in partnership with the Athlone Institute of Technology and is HETAC accredited. It is designed to promote the development of knowledge, skills and self-awareness, not in isolation from one another but in their inter-related meanings for the whole person. There is therefore an emphasis on the integration of experience, understanding and behaviour throughout the course.

The process involved in becoming a professional counsellor or psychotherapist is demanding intellectually, emotionally and socially. It is not a benign process that can be managed by reading, attending lectures and writing essays, but involves the whole person. Research evidence on effectiveness of counselling and psychotherapy shows that it is the quality of the counselling relationship and the therapeutic alliance it produces that are essential to positive outcomes.

Effective competent counsellors need considerable knowledge and skill, everything revolves around their ability to make, sustain and end sound, reliable therapeutic relationships. Client counsellor relationships can be complex and demanding. Clients can present with a multitude of difficulties, they can be angry, depressed, abusive, seductive, distraught or manipulative: the counsellor must maintain strong and ethical boundaries and contain whatever issues are presented to them.

The skilled and self aware therapist will develop a capacity to sustain such relationships and do this work, but it takes time, dedication, motivation, openness and sufficient self-esteem and emotional responsiveness to bear the challenges that training throws up.

The BA in Counselling and Psychotherapy training involves experiential work, interacting with others in role-play and actual client work. It involves group work in which individual vulnerabilities are often revealed and worked with. Students give and receive support from others, which is essential to a safe learning environment.

Click here for submission on new regulations for Counselling and Psychotherapy practise.

Cost of Programme: E3950 per annum

Tax relief on tuition fees is available to students at the standard rate of income tax (currently 20%) for the relevant tax year when a student is enroled on any of our degree programmes. Our degree programmes are HETAC accredited in partnership with Athlone Institute of Technology. More details are available on the Irish Revenue website.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

If you have a Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy or are already an Accredited Counsellor / Addiction Counsellor or Psychotherapist and want to gain a Degree qualification please go to www.ait.ie/rpl/

For more information, click on the buttons below:

BA Couns/Psych Form FAQs BA Couns/Psych Information