Advanced Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy

Course Introduction

The Advanced Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy provides a focused psychotherapy training that challenges and contributes to a wide range of understandings of the therapeutic encounter.

The course prepares participants for professional work in both private and institutional practice. Successful completion will bring eligibility for registration with the appropriate professional bodies.

Course Objectives

The Advanced Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy course aims to produce practitioners who think independently and are theoretically well informed.

Graduates will be able skilfully and ethically to apply the methods of psychotherapy and counselling expertise in either psychodynamic or humanistic/experiential approaches within an integrative perspective of the therapeutic relationship and process.

Students on this course will:

• Develop a comprehensive level of theoretical knowledge of a range psychotherapy approaches
• Consolidate their clinical experience into practice of an integrative approach of their choice or construction
• Acquire a sophisticated level of understanding of the major systems of psychotherapy
• Develop a capacity for informed reflection on their clinical practice
• Engage effectively in the use of supervision – with peers and supervisors
• Gain understanding of ethical research methods relevant to clinical practice
• Achieve eligibility for professional registration as practitioners of integrative psychotherapy.

More About The Advanced Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy

This course allows registration with the Humanistic and Integrative Section of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy, of which the School is a full member.

The course meets all the current criteria set by the UKCP Humanistic and Integrative Section for entry onto the register for those with a previous basic qualification in the field (such as satisfactory completion of SPCP’s Masters programme or its equivalent).

• At the end of Year 1: Eligibility in terms of training hours to apply for individual Accreditation with BACP
• At the end of Year 2: Eligibility to apply for UKCP Registration as an Integrative Psychotherapist

To apply for registration/accreditation with either UKCP or BACP a minimum of 450 clinical hours must be completed

Although academically-rooted, the Advanced Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy places more emphasis on trainees' development as qualified practitioners within the broad perspective held by the school on the practice of integrative psychotherapy as outlined below.

Supervision

Every student is expected to undertake individual therapy with an approved UKCP registered therapist throughout the duration of the course.

Clinical Placement

Every trainee is expected to work with 2 - 3 adult clients on a minimum once-weekly long-term basis from the start of the course until the end of the course.

Assessment

During Year 1, trainees are required to submit:

• A case study of 4000 - 4500 words (not counting verbatim extracts, references or appendices), to be submitted by the first day of Term 4.
• A theory essay of 4000 - 4500 words to be submitted by the first day of Term 4.
• A Self Evaluation of Learning (SEL) essay of 3000-3500 words to be written and submitted to the PPD facilitator for formative assessment on the first day of Term 4.
• A 300 word abstract of the SEL essay should be circulated and presented to the PPD group in Term 4.

During Year 2, trainees are required to submit:

• One DVD-recording and Process Report; this should be 3500 words including process comments but not counting any transcript of the verbatim. To be submitted by the end of week 5 of Term 6 (for external assessment).
• One final Self Evaluation of Learning Essay of 4000-4500 words to be submitted by the end of week 8 of Term 6.
• One combined Final Theory/Case Study of 8,000 words (not counting verbatim, references or any appendices), to be submitted by the end of week 10 of Term 6.