Foundation Degree in Therapeutic Counselling

The Foundation Degree in Therapeutic Counselling is a 2 year full time course which provides professional training in counselling, through which students will acquire both a sound theoretical framework and the practitioner skills required to work safely and effectively as a counsellor. It is an integrative course exploring psychodynamic and person-centred approaches within a framework of Clarkson's 5 facets of the therapeutic relationship. By the end of the course students will be able to demonstrate that they can work safely, ethically and professionally with clients presenting with a range of problems. This course is validated by the University of Gloucestershire. The main units of the course are (University module numbers): Year 1 Introduction to the theory of person-centred counselling (FC4001) Introduction to the theory of psychodynamic counselling (FC4002) Working professionally as a counsellor (FC4003) Introduction to counselling practice - Skills Practice (FC4004) Self development for counsellors (FC4005) Study Skills (FC4006) Year 2 Integrative practice for counsellors (FC5001) Client issues in counselling (FC5002) Developing a professional approach to counselling (FC5003) Work-based learning for counsellors (FC5004) Reflective self development for counsellors (FC5005) Advanced study skills (FC5006) Theory A programme of seminars developing understanding of the self, personal history and interpersonal relating. Professional Framework A programme of seminars designed to equip students with the knowledge of practice issues. Seminars will be mainly tutor-led and will involve discussion of typical practice issues. Skills Development A series of practice sessions aimed at helping students develop their ability to work with clients. A variety of skills exercises are used including whole group work, pairs work and work in triads. Case Discussion Working in groups, students will take turns to present actual client work. The objective is to enable students to integrate theory, self awareness and skills into ethical and professional practice. Specific Issues There will be a number of sessions given over to looking at counselling people with specific issues such as bereavement, abuse issues etc. In order to pass the course the following needs to be met: 1) At least 150 hours contracted counselling practice, working in an agency setting that is acceptable to the tutors. This must include work with at least 5 clients. This work must be supervised according to BACP requirements i.e. at least 1.5 hours per month. The supervisor(s) must be acceptable to the tutors. Reports will be required from the agency and the supervisor, stating that the practice demonstrated was ethical and professional. Students should note that they might have to pay for this supervision themselves. 2) A commitment to personal therapy of at least 40 hours during the course, i.e. typical weekly therapy. 3) Satisfactory completion of the course assignments including the following (over 2 years): A reflective journal, self and peer reviews Tutor observed skills including two recorded sessions Written assignments (essays) Case presentations and case studies Participation in group presentations Practical examination **We strongly recommend that students maximise their attendance at all sessions** You will study at level 4 during the first year and at level 5 during the second year.

It is the student's responsibility to find their own therapy and an agency setting for their practice and supervision. Guidelines for what constitutes a suitable agency, supervision and personal therapy are provided. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO KNOW? Remember this is a full-time course, so in addition to the classroom time, students should anticipate the equivalent of two days per week of private study time to cover assignments, client work, supervision and personal therapy. Students should expect that the counselling agency which they find for their work-based learning will likely require them to undertake a CRB check. FEES Details of fees will be available from the Counselling Course Administrator. Candidate registration fees are payable at enrolment and at the start of the second year. In addition to the College fees there are other costs to be considered including: Personal therapy (typically £40 per session) Supervision (although agencies provide some, this is rarely enough and students can expect to have to fund extra supervision at around £40 per hour) Books, photocopying, travel, childcare, etc. Students applying for the Foundation Degree in Therapeutic Counselling are entitled to apply for a Student Loan to cover fees and/or maintenance. Eligibility may depend upon a number of criteria. For more information refer to www.direct.gov.co.uk For more questions regarding funding contact Admissions and Funds at Gloucestershire College. AND FINALLY It is important that you realise, and are prepared for, the costs involved in this course - financial, time and emotional. The award of the Foundation Degree is crossing the threshold from trainee counsellor to emerging professional counsellor - it is therefore a serious course that requires commitment and hard work in the areas of theory, personal exploration/self-development and practice.

Both CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills and CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies are required. Equivalent non-CPACB qualifications and training will be considered. You will be required to have English at GCSE grade C or above. An equivalent English Language qualification will be required for non-English speaking students. Willingness and ability to take responsibility for 'Self' and in sympathy with the core model of the course with evidence of both personal and academic development. It is the candidates' responsibility to demonstrate that their training/qualification is equivalent to the entry requirements. The application process if via the completion of a UCAS form www.ucas.com for the FdA in Therapeutic Counselling, plus an internal Gloucestershire College application form, accompanied by completed references, follow by attendance at a briefing and interview. Tutors will be looking for readiness and both proven and potential ability to make effective use of this particular course. Further details and an application form can be obtained from the Counselling Course Administrator on 01452 563294.

Successful students will be awarded the FdA in Therapeutic Counselling and may progress on to higher degree courses such as BA (Hons) in Counselling at the University of Gloucestershire.

Comments from Justin Havens a student who, over a 4 year period, progressed through the full range of counselling courses at Gloucestershire College; "The Foundation degree in therapeutic counselling provided me with a thorough grounding in the professional, theoretical and practical aspects of counselling. The blend of experiential and academic work enabled a thorough grasp of the subject matter to be achieved, along with the development of a personal counselling style. The theoretical integration of person centred and psychodynamic theory using the 5 facet Clarkson relational model sets it apart from other courses which may just consider a single theory. Much time is devoted to the creation of a personal integrative model based on sound theoretical principles. I would recommend this course to anyone wanting to train as a professional counsellor. The Foundation degree also provides a gateway onto a BA (Honours) degree course at the University of Gloucestershire. This course provides a broader and deeper perspective on integration, though is more focused on theories and research methods, as opposed to professional and experiential content which is the domain of the Foundation degree." Justin is now completing a top up degree at the University of Gloucetershire. Hilary Hatton is now successfully working as a counsellor, she said; "The counselling training I took part in at Gloucestershire College provided me with a balance of theory and practice which I found suited me really well. Having two approaches, and understanding how to integrate them, was very useful in helping me to focus on my own style. I have found that having knowledge of more than one approach is a help in finding placements"

Please contact the College on 0845 155 2020 for further details