BA (Hons) Integrative Counselling
About This Course
This course is ideal for aspiring counselling practitioners who are currently working in the healthcare sector, or applicants in search of a change in vocation; particularly those who would like to gain further insight into therapeutic intervention.
The aims are that levels four and five will provide a challenging and high-quality academic grounding for level six inclusive of study skills and research development. These also focus on personal development, enabling greater self-awareness and self-acceptance, as well as Integrative counselling skills practise, to help prepare the student for client work. Students are encouraged to develop the integration of academic skills and counselling skills and competencies. Students will also develop a firm understanding of the influence of other subject disciplines, such as lifespan development and mental health and contemporary client issues such as addictions, abuse, and eating disorders and an understanding of how culture and diversity impact on the counselling role and relationship.
Following the completion of levels 4 and 5 students have the opportunity to continue on one of two level 6 routes:
a) - BA Integrative Counselling (level six) is focussed on practice for aspiring counsellors. It prepares students for the challenges of working in this vital and frequently fluid area within both the public and private sector, equipping all students with the knowledge, skills, understanding and ethical instincts to work as informed, confident and responsible professionals. The programme will offer students sound knowledge and skills which they can apply to practice during the practical element, where students complete 100 placement hours as a 1-1 counsellor. A further requirement is that the student will participate in 10 hours of personal therapy, 1.5 hours supervision per 8 client hours, hold a clear enhanced DBS and purchase professional indemnity insurance.
b) – BA Integrative Counselling Theory will enable those students not wishing to enter placement and become a counsellor to achieve a good degree. At present there are no provisions for students to attend a programme where they can choose to opt out of the placement module and attend theoretical modules in place of the practicing element. This will also be highly attractive to practicing counsellors who may hold a practicing Foundation Degree in counselling who are looking to develop their professional competence and advance their careers with a full degree. These students would not be expected to achieve any further hours on placement as they will have already achieved the 100 hours required by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Neither would they be required to participate in 10 personal therapy hours.
Applicants will need English at GCSE Grade 4/C or equivalent. They will also need a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling or an alternative level 3 qualification such as 60 Access credits or 48 UCAS points from A levels.
Level 4 (Certificate Stage)
- Personal Development
- Study and Research Skills
- Integrative Approaches for Counselling
- Integrative Counselling Skills 1
- Lifespan Development
- Integrative Counselling Skills 2
Level 5 (Diploma Stage)
- Personal Development and Life Transitions
- Advanced Integrative Skills and Preparation for Placement
- Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Professional and Ethical Issues
- Contemporary Client Issues
- Research in Counselling
Level 6 (Honours Stage)
- Dissertation (40 credits)
- Personal Development and Culture
- Psychology within Counselling
- Practice Placement (40 credits) (Practicing route only)
- Addiction (Theory route only)
- Leadership (Theory route only)
An emphasis is made on the context and application of theory to practice, the development of an ethical, anti-oppressive and value-based approach, to inform practice with clients. The nature of the profession further relies upon the practitioner’s ability to utilise reflexive and reflective practice. This will be embedded into specific personal development essays, experiential tasks and into skills practice. The personal development assessment will further demonstrate a critical awareness of self, regarding culture and diversity; moreover, assessments such as case studies, reports and a dissertation will further demonstrate the ability to critically analyse contemporary counselling research.
As a graduate with either the BA Integrative Counselling or the BA Integrative Counselling Theory qualification you will be a highly employable individual, equipped with the skills and knowledge able to access a variety of careers and, depending on your chosen route, work in several health-related roles.
Upon successful completion of this degree, students who select BA Integrative Counselling at level 6 will gain qualified counsellor status and be eligible to complete the Certificate of Proficiency required to become a registered member of the BACP. Furthermore, they will be competent to enter self-employment as a counsellor in private practice. Graduates from BA Integrative Counselling and BA Integrative Counselling Theory will be eligible for potential career progression; a wide range of careers are available across public, private and third sector environments such as the NHS and charitable organisations.Furthermore, on successful completion students may also pursue further academic development via post-graduate routes.
