Professional Diploma in Counselling Psychology

Our Counselling Course consists of 10 modules:

Module One – What is a Counsellor?

• History and Current Trends in Counselling
• The Nature of a Counsellor’s Work
• What makes a good counsellor?
• Stages of Brain Growth and Behaviour
• DSM-V and Diagnosis
• Medication Issues

Module Two – Developing Basic Counselling Skills

• Top Ten Basic Counselling Skills-Listening vs. Reacting
• The Helping and Healing Side of Counselling
• Is Compassion Enough?
• Self-Care and avoiding Compassion Fatigue
• Exploring Self-Disclosure
• Introduction to Practical Counselling Skills

Module Three – Raising a Healthy Child – Understanding the importance of:

• Attachment
• Emotional Communication
• Child Development
• Normal Developmental Trends
• Adolescent Development
• The Role of the Parent in Discipline
• Corrective Discipline
• Harsh Parenting vs Permissive Parenting – Impact on Children

Module Four – Mastering the Techniques of Counselling

• Common Problems Counsellors are Presented With
• Didactic Approach-Socratic Method
• Psychodrama
• Stages of Brain Growth-self regulation
• Practical Skills – Cultural Sensitivity

Module Five – Problems of Adolescence – Anorexia, Bulimia, Substance Use, Family Conflict

• Introduction to your Assignment
• The Adolescent Brain and Its Development
• Significant Disorders of Adolescence
• Gender Identity Disorders

Module Six – Counselling Modalities

• Individual vs Group Counselling
• Rational Emotive Therapy
• Use of Humour in therapy Laughter – The Best medicine?
• Paradoxical Interventions

Module Seven – Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

• Adler and Social Interest
• Choice/Reality Therapy
• Lazarus and Multimodal therapy
• Assessment in CBT-a Multimodal Approach
• CBT and Treatment of Anxiety/Depression

Module Eight – Understanding your Child’s Social and Emotional Needs

• The Social Brain
• The Importance of the Visual Brain
• Trajectory of Social Development
• The Emotional Brain
• The Importance of Emotional Development
• Social/Emotional Cognition
• Parental Role in Social/Emotional Development

Module Nine – The Adolescent Brain

• Understanding and Communicating Emotions
• Maturation, Pruning, Neuroplasticity, Reasoning, Risk-Taking.
• Interpersonal Relationships in Adolescent Development
• Psychological Movement in Adolescence
• Anxiety and Depression in the Teenage Years
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder
• The Wounded Self
• Goalsetting

Module Ten – Counselling Techniques, Abnormal Psychology and Career Options

• Transference and Counter-Transference
• Gestalt Therapy
• Art Therapy
• Johari Window
• Abnormal Psychology (incl Psychopathy and Sociopathy)
• Next Steps in Your Career Journey
• Assignment

If our counselling course modules interest you be sure to enrol today!

*Course content is subject to review after each intake and may be updated in line with industry standards.

Participants will complete a research project within one month after finishing the lectures, giving them an opportunity to apply their knowledge in a practical setting. This hands-on experience reinforces key concepts from this counselling course, ensuring that what you’ve learned becomes a lasting foundation for your future in counselling.

A ‘Pass’ grade on both the written assignment (Project) as well as participation in the final role-play exercise will be required for awarding of the Diploma in Counselling Psychology.

A pass grade on the written assignment will be required for awarding the Diploma.

The assignment/project must be handed in on the due date unless a sound reason for lateness is provided. In such instances, an extension may be awarded at the discretion of the lecturer.

Enrol on this great counselling course today, and join us online or in class.

The aim of the Diploma in Counselling Psychology is to introduce learners to the fundamental concepts in the clinical practice of counselling psychology. This counselling course is designed to provide an engaging and accessible entry-point into a complex, multifaceted field.

The course includes lectures, classroom discussions, and practical exercises, creating a well-rounded learning experience.

The counselling course spans ten weeks and consists of the following elements:

Lectures: These will deliver essential information, explain core concepts, and guide learners in their reading. Lectures form the foundation of the academic component of the counselling course.

Discussion: In a relaxed and supportive environment, participants will engage in open discussions, exploring key ideas and sharing personal insights. The focus is on the exploration of ideas rather than defending viewpoints.

Practical Exercises: Toward the end of the course, participants will take part in practical exercises related to the clinical application of counselling. This component will evolve based on the group’s dynamic and typically involves group processes and one-on-one clinical encounters, with learners taking on the roles of both clinician and client.

Essay/Project: Each participant will complete an essay of approximately 2,500 words. Topics will be agreed upon with the lecturer, and a submission date will be set about a month after the final lecture. Extensions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.

To successfully complete this counselling course, participants must pass both the essay and demonstrate active participation in the class. The lecturer will provide guidance and support to help each learner maximise their performance throughout the counselling course.

This psychology counselling course has been approved for 14 CPD credits for members of the Psychological Society of Ireland.

A City College’s Professional Diploma Course is a focused, practical programme designed and delivered by an industry practitioner, that consolidates, upskills or reskills learners in a professional area. They are stand-alone qualifications that indicate that you have been trained in a particular area or specific subject matter.

City College Diplomas are suitable for career minded learners wishing to advance their professional skills and prospects. They are widely accepted by employers and many students are sponsored to study here by their organisation.

In addition to our scheduled Professional Diploma courses, City Colleges can provide bespoke training over 3 – 4 days, please contact [email protected] for further details.