MSc Addiction Counselling & Psychotherapy

Each module is 30 hours duration:

Year 1:

• Theories of Addictive Behaviour: History & Current Situation
• Generic & Specific Therapy Skills for Addiction
• Drugs of Abuse: Biological, Psychological & Social Aspects
• The Motivational Interviewing Approach

Year 2:

• Behavioural Addictions: Gambling, Sex etc.
• The CBT Approach to Working with Addiction
• The Family Dimension in Addiction
• Dual Diagnosis: Common Mental Health Problems in Addiction
• Case Study & Dissertation

Additional Course Requirements:

• 100 hours Clinical placement / Client work
• 25 sessions with a qualified supervisor to review client work
• 30 hours Personal Therapy is recommended for all students and is a requirement for students who are not qualified counsellors/psychotherapists.  10 of these hours must be completed before commencing Client Work.

LEADING TO THE AWARD OF: MSc Addiction Counselling & Psychotherapy

Level: Level 7 FHEQ (Comparable to Level 9 NFQ)

This programme was developed and is delivered and assessed by PCI College;  awarded by and quality assured by Middlesex University. FHEQ (Framework for Higher Education Qualification) is the UK National Framework of Qualifications.

Entry Requirements:

Applicants are required to hold a relevant honours degree (Level 7 NFQ or equivalent; Final grade 2.2 or above) in Counselling & Psychotherapy, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Social Care or equivalent.

Applicants who do not meet this criteria 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 demontrating your career path as is relevent to this course (including transcripts of any relevant results, statements of prior learning based on systematic reflection) and be must submitted with your application.

Applicants should ideally have access to opportunities for client work in their current role and be able to apply theoretical principles and practice in their current workplace.

Application Process

• 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 they are suitable to the course.

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

IT

Students require sufficient IT skills to complete the course. 

Learning Difficulties
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 application.

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 application.

Fees: 

PCI College tuition fees for the MSc Addiction Counselling & Psychotherapy beginning in October 2017 are as follows: 

• Year 1: €3,670* + Middlesex University Registration Fee €1200**

(€3,150 for PCI College Graduates + MU Registration Fee €1,200**)

• Year 2: €4,250
  

Pay your fees in monthly instalments, through the Monthly Payment Plan. Please note that this plan will operate by Direct Debit only and incurs an Administration Fee of €80.00.

(€3650.00 + Middlesex Registration Fee €1200.00 + €80.00 + €20.00 Garda Vetting Fee = €4950.00)

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

**Once off fee paid in first year

In order to facilitate students, PCI College has introduced a monthly Direct Debit Plan. 

Direct Debit Payment Plan details for this course will be confirmed shortly.  Please note that there is an extra charge of €80 for this option.

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 for 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 7 days of receipt of their application. Should an application be unsuccessful or cancelled by the applicant following this 7 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.

Eoin Stephens

MA, MIACP, MACI

Programme Leader

A leading Irish Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT) Trainer, Eoin has worked in the area of mental health and psychotherapy for more than 25 years. He is one of Ireland’s leading providers of counselling and psychotherapy courses and is a former Vice-Chairperson of the IACP and the ACI.  Eoin has a particular interest in the relationship between addictions and mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, and is a co-founder of Dual Diagnosis Ireland.

He is also well known for his therapy, training and media work in the field of behavioural addictions, and is a director of the Centre for Addictive and Problematic Behaviours.

Read Eoin's Course Blog here

There is an ever increasing demand for addiction services and the demand in the public sector in particular far outstrips the available resources. There are many current and future job opportunities within the public sector – particularly in the area of drug, alcohol and gambling addiction for suitably qualified addiction professionals. Up-to-date training in evidenced-based therapeutic approaches is also becoming essential for those working in this field, as funders are increasingly concerned about outcomes and value for taxpayers’ money.

Moreover, students who graduate from the MSc Addiction Counselling & Psychotherapy will have gained the skills and knowledge to work with clients dealing with issues in a wide range of addictions including behavioural addictions.  With an increasingly wide range of addiction in society, career opportunities may also include private practice, work with voluntary organisations and mental health organisations. With addiction, it is crucial to have timely interventions that are able to meet people where they are at. The provision of increased specialist addiction capacity in private counselling & psychotherapy services and voluntary organisations will assist in dealing with the demand.

PCI College is currently seeking Middlesex University Validation for this course starting September 2017.