MSc Child and Adolescent Counselling & Psychotherapeutic Skills

Each module is 30 hours in duration.  Modules are assessed by written and practical assignments.  

Year 1 Modules: 60 credits (equivalent to 30 ECTS credits)

• Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy / Therapeutic Play Skills
• Family Therapy and Working with Parents
• Counselling & Psychotherapy Skills
• Creative Therapies – Sandplay and Therapeutic Storytelling

Year 2 Modules: 60 credits (equivalent to 30 ECTS credits)

• Theories – Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy & Counselling
• The Effects of Trauma and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder on the Child and Adolescent
• Child Development and Mental Health
• Creative Therapies – Art, Clay, Music, Drama, Puppets

MSc Component: 60 credits (equivalent to 30 ECTS credits)

• Case Study & Dissertation

Additional Course Requirements:

• 100 hours of clinical placement/client work
• Students are required to attend an external supervisor for a minimum of  20 hours of one-to-one supervision
• 25 hours of Personal Therapy is a requirement for all students. A minimum of 15 hours Personal Therapy must be completed by students who are not qualified counsellors/psychotherapists before commencing Client Work.

LEADING TO THE AWARD OF:

MSc IN CHILD AND ADOLESCENT COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC SKILLS

Assessment: Written and practical assignments

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN? 

The training consists of two broad strands, which are first, the presentation of counselling theories relevant to young people, and secondly, a mastery of a strong practical experiential component. The course includes training in play therapy and creative methods such as sand therapy and art therapy. Appropriate talk therapy methods are also learned, with particular relevance to adolescence. Child development, both typical and atypical is addressed and the final component is a case study and dissertation. The dissertation is supported throughout by individual supervisors. Clinical work with young people is also supervised and supported by personal therapy. 

Programme Lecturer - Dr. Cóilín Ó Braonáin

PCI College Faculty Lecture Dr Cóilín Ó Braonáin Reg.Psychol., P.S.I. has been practising psychotherapy and psychology in Limerick and the Mid-West of Ireland for 15 years. He works with adults, adolescents and children using a variety of psychological therapies. 

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree (Magna cum Lauda) in Psychology and Philosophy from Marquette University in Wisconsin, USA and a Master’s degree in Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (1st) was awarded by the University of Limerick. More recently Cóilín earned a doctorate in Developmental Psychology at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. Other courses completed include a Certificate in Play Therapy from the Children’s Therapy Centre in Westmeath and a certificate in Filial Play Coaching from Play Therapy Ireland.

Cóilín is a professional accredited member of the Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) is also currently board chairperson of the IACP journal, Éisteach.

Programme Lecturer - Deirdre Reilly

Deirdre is a professionally trained integrative therapist, who works with both adults and children, working with a range of emotional, behavioural and social difficulties. She specialises in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy and has been employed as a school counsellor for the past five years, both in Secondary and Primary schools. She uses a range of creative therapies working with the children including sand play, art therapy, play therapy, therapeutic story writing & telling along with the use of puppets. Where “talking” therapies may feel too challenging, children and teenagers feel free to express themselves in these mediums.

Fees:

• Year 1: €3,670* + Middlesex University Registration Fee €1,200**

• Year 2: €4,250

*Please note that fees include a €20 charge for Garda vetting process which is required prior to course entry. 

**Once off fee paid in the first year

Payment Plan:

Additional Course Costs
Course fees do not cover costs associated with Additional Course Requirements (Personal Therapy & Supervision). Fees for Supervision and Personal Therapy are decided by negotiation between you and your Supervisor and Therapist. The average cost of supervision is approximately €60. Personal therapy may also average about €60 per session.


Application Process
Applicants are invited to complete and return the online Application Form. Applications must be accompanied by an Initial Deposit of €250, which is deductible from course fees if the application is successful. Applicants are entitled to a full refund of the Initial Deposit if they decide to cancel within 14 days of receipt of their application. Should an application be unsuccessful or cancelled by the applicant following this 14 day period, an administration fee of €60 is charged and the balance of €190 refunded. Please note that the name used on your application needs to be the same name that you have on your passport.

The balance of fees is payable in full before the course commences. Fees are non-refundable in all personal circumstances. All courses run subject to demand and the formation of a viable class cohort. A full refund will be given to all applicants in the event that the class does not proceed.

Selection Process

There are a limited number of places available (18). Selection is based on application and interview.

Entry Requirements:

Year One:

Students entering the MSc course must hold a relevant honours degree (Level 7 NFQ or equivalent; Final grade 2.2 or above). 

Applicants who do not meet this criterion may be eligible to enter the course on the basis of prior learning and experience in the area.  Students applying on the basis of prior learning must provide evidence of their knowledge, skill and ability to pursue this programme of study.  This should be in the form of a career portfolio outlining and demonstrating your career path as is relevant to this course (including transcripts of any relevant results, statements of prior learning based on systematic reflection) and be must be submitted with your application.

Application Process for Year 1

• Send in Complete Application Form & Deposit (Online / Hard Copy)
• Copies of Transcripts (Confirming 2.2 on relevant Level 7 Degree or higher) or Copy of Career Portfolio
• and 500-word written statement on why you believe you are suitable for the course.

• All suitable candidates will be invited to interview
• Places are limited (18). Selection is based on application and interview.

Year Two:

Students who hold a Postgraduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Counselling & Psychotherapy (PCI College or equivalent) may apply for entry to Year 2 of the course.

Students who do not meet these criteria may be eligible to enter Year 2 on the basis of prior learning and experience in the area. Students applying on the basis of prior learning must provide evidence of their knowledge, skill and ability to pursue this programme of study.  This should be in the form of a career portfolio outlining and demonstrating your career path as is relevant to this course (including transcripts of any relevant results, statements of prior learning based on systematic reflection) and be must be submitted with your application.

Application Process for Internal Applicants Year 2 
(Graduates of PCI Postgraduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Counselling & Psychotherapy)

• Send in Complete Year 2 Application Form & Deposit (Online / Hard Copy)

• All suitable candidates will be invited to interview
• Places are limited (18). Selection is based on application and interview.

Application Process for External Applicants Year 2

• Send in Complete Year 2 Application Form & Deposit (Online / Hard Copy)
• Complete Course Comparison Form Including:

Copy of current/previous Course Prospectus / Course Outline

Transcript of Results of all assessments/examinations

Copy of all relevant qualifications

Completed Course Comparison Form

Letter from counsellor to verify previous hours of personal therapy (if applicable)

Letter from supervisor to verify hours of client work with Children or Adolescents (must have completed at least 15% of the overall course requirement in the last 12 months)

• Statement on why you feel you have met the Learning Outcomes for Year 1. (approximately 1000 words)

• All suitable candidates will be invited to interview
• Places are limited (18). Selection is based on application and interview.

Garda Vetting:

Students will be requested to participate in Garda Vetting procedures in relation to programme and accreditation requirements

Students require sufficient IT skills to complete the course. 
Students can expect to be provided with advice and support concerning any learning difficulties that they may encounter. Any diagnosed learning difficulty, e.g. dyslexia, must be noted on the application.

Students who graduate from the MSc Child & Adolescent Counselling & Psychotherapeutic Skills will be qualified to work with children and adolescents (under 18) in a therapeutic setting. Other career opportunities may include working for state and voluntary organisations, schools, community care centres, mental health organisations and also integrating the skills with any qualification that students have already achieved.

Please note that this course does not qualify you as a professional, accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist. As an addition to your existing professional qualification, it will allow you to work with Children & Adolescents in a therapeutic setting.

If it is your intention to become a professional Counsellor/Psychotherapist, accredited by the IACP, please see our BSc (Honours) Degree Counselling & Psychotherapy course for more details.

Validation

Our university validated programmes are developed, delivered and assessed by PCI College and awarded by and quality assured by Middlesex University.  A qualification from Middlesex University London is internationally recognised both within the EU and outside the EU. Brexit negotiations will have no impact on these facts. 

We have answered some of the most common questions we receive in relation to this course below. However, you may have some more – or just prefer to talk to someone in person! We would be delighted to help – please call us at 01-4642268 or email enquiries@pcicollege.ie

Does this course qualify me as a professional counsellor?
This is the most common question as the field of Counselling & Psychotherapy is not government regulated yet and so it can be difficult to navigate. Our MSc in Child and Adolescent Counselling & Psychotherapeutic Skills does not qualify you as a Professional Accredited Counsellor. It is an additional qualification to your original degree which allows you to work with children and adolescents in a therapeutic setting e.g. Teacher/Social Worker/Nurse who works therapeutically with children and adolescents.

If your intention is to become a Professional Accredited Counsellor, please see our BSc (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy which is accredited by the IACP for more details.

Is this course for me?
This course is designed specifically for you i.e. health and youth professionals who want to expand their skills to work therapeutically with children. We have found this model very successful as each student brings in a wealth of knowledge from their own particular field. We believe that you will learn as much from your peers as from your lecturers. This course is taught in an adult learning and collaborative environment.

You may choose to do this course to change your current career to work with children and/or adolescents in a therapeutic setting or otherwise – either in private practice or for an organisation. However, many also choose to do this course to add knowledge and skills to their current role. We have outlined some of the benefits below.

I am a Teacher: This course will help you to identify and navigate common behavioural issues in a classroom setting, providing you with insight into the world of the child or adolescent who may be acting out in class, with peers or not learning at full capacity. This course will help you to understand blocks to progress and instances where it may be necessary to make a referral. If you already work as part of the support, this course will provide you with a new set of therapeutic skills for intervention.

I am a Social Worker: This course will help you to identify and navigate some common issues that may occur as part of a home or school dynamic providing you with insight into the world of the child or adolescent who may be acting out or not participating at full capacity. This course will help you to understand blocks to progress and instances where it may be necessary to make a specialist referral. If you already work as part of the support, this course will provide you with a new set of therapeutic skills for intervention and understanding.

I am a Nurse: This course will assist you in identifying and recognising the intervention that may be appropriate for a child in a given setting. As many of the interventions are creative in nature, this course provides you with a new therapeutic skill set and aids to develop insight into the personal world of the child or adolescent in your care.

I am a Therapist: This course is perfect for a therapist who currently works with children or adolescents or who wishes to expand practice into this growing area. You will build on existing skills and insights, expanding your repertoire both theoretically and practically. Some techniques, for example, Sandplay is also used with adults and this course will provide additional insight into the adult client who is unable to resolve childhood issues or may have difficulties with parenting.

What does ‘validation’ mean for this course?
It means that upon graduation, you will have achieved an internationally recognised FHEQ Level 7 (Comparable to NFQ Level 9) University Qualification that is continuously examined externally and academically quality assured by Middlesex University. You can join the 1000s of successful Middlesex University Graduates in London for their impressive Graduation Ceremony where your great achievement will be deservedly honoured!

Is this course accredited?
Currently, the Irish Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (the IACP) do not accredit specialist training courses.  However, we work closely with the IACP and keep abreast of all developments with them and other relevant bodies and design our courses accordingly.  As we stated, our BSc (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy is accredited by the IACP.

I have a Postgraduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Counselling & Psychotherapy from PCI College (or a similar qualification from another institution). Can I apply to enter Year 2 of the course?

Yes, we welcome applicants from other similar NFQ Level 9 courses to apply to Year 2. Decisions will be made on the basis of your Approved Prior Learning.

Graduates of the PCI College Postgraduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Counselling & Psychotherapy will be eligible to apply for Year 2 entry to the course and can achieve a Postgraduate Diploma or an MSc in Child and Adolescent Counselling & Psychotherapy (presuming entry criteria have been met).  Students will need to complete a Year 2 application form and will be required to attend an interview.  Contact us at (01) 464 2268 or enquiries@pcicollege.ie for Year 2 entry application form.

Applicants who have completed courses in Child and Adolescent Counselling & Psychotherapy in other institutions may also be granted entry into Year 2 on the basis of Applied Prior Learning (APL). Applicants will be required to complete an application form and a Course Comparison Form (outlining in detail previous course modules) and will be required to attend an interview. Students may be granted entry to Year 2 based on exemptions from Year 1 modules. Any modules not exempted from Year 1 must be taken as Catch Up.  Course Comparison Form is available from enquiries@pcicollege.ie

What level is this course?

The MSc in Child & Adolescent Counselling & Psychotherapy is awarded by Middlesex University and is therefore on the UK National Framework. It is Level 7 FHEQ (Framework for Higher Education Qualification) - comparable to Level 9 on the NFQ. For comparability on various awards, please see here www.naric.ie

Does this course include Play Therapy?
Of course – Play Therapy is an essential component of working with children therapeutically. However, it is just one component. The unique nature of this course is that it is a broad-based with counselling & psychotherapy at its core, incorporating a wide range of creative therapeutic approaches including art, sand-play, puppets, drama, music, clay and storytelling. It also draws on established and current theory in counselling and psychotherapy, up to date approaches in child and adolescent mental health, lifespan development, family systems and trauma.

I am a Professional Counsellor, am I entitled to any exemptions?
No, there are no exemptions for Year 1 entry to this course. As we said, this is comparable to NFQ Level 9 course so it is a step up academically from your degree. 

What is the duration of the course?
Two years (24 months) part-time.  

How often do I attend?
The course will take place at weekends (Saturday & Sunday, approx. 1 weekend per month from October to June) and the full provisional timetable will be available shortly.

What will I learn?
You will learn the theoretical background and practical skills to work with children and adolescents in a therapeutic setting, with particular emphasis on working through creative approaches. Exploring creative media such as art, sandplay, therapeutic storytelling, drama, music and other approaches, this course places significant emphasis on experiential learning and the acquisition of key skills for work with young clients.  The programme will teach you current theory in counselling and psychotherapy, up to date approaches in child and adolescent mental health, lifespan development, family systems and trauma. You will also have the opportunity to put all this new knowledge and skills to practice by engaging in clinical placement work of 100 hours over the duration of the course.

Are my lecturers also therapists?
Yes – all our lecturers are practising therapists and bring a wealth of real-world knowledge into the classroom.

How many in the class?
There is a maximum of 18 students in the class. This supports our experiential and collaborative approach to teaching.

Do I need to buy any materials?
No. All class materials will be provided.

How will I be assessed?
Assessment is a combination of written and in-class practical assignments. There are no exams.

What happens if I miss time?
As much of the work is done within in the classroom, we encourage you to make every effort not to miss class. However, we understand that there are certain circumstances that cannot be avoided. If possible, notify the lecturer in advance if you are going to miss class.  85% attendance is required to complete a module. If you fall below this (but above 70%), you will be allocated some written catch-up work by the lecturer to complete the module. However, if your attendance is below 70%, you must repeat the module.