Provider: IICP Education and Training
Address: Killinarden Enterprise Park, Killinarden, Tallaght, Dublin 24
Web: http://www.iicp.ie
Contact: Marcella Finnerty
Title: Course Director
Email: marcella@iicp.ie
Telephone: 01 260 0805 / 086 260 9989
In-person and online
This is an introductory course for those who are seeking to develop their awareness and understanding in the field of counselling and psychotherapy. This course also serves as a foundation course for those seeking entry onto a diploma course in counselling and psychotherapy.
Programme aims:
• To introduce learners to a practical cutting-edge approach to mental health care and counselling;
• To encourage psychological wellbeing within the programme and empower and encourage support networks;
• To provide a warm and challenging environment where students can learn and grow;
• To enable learners to begin to develop a clear and transparent understanding of counselling and psychotherapy that is congruent with the principles associated with bone fide helping professionals; and
• Encourage learners to view this course in the context of lifelong learning and personal as well as professional development.
The programme is highly interactive and taught through role-play, lectures, group work and audio/video presentations. Participants will have the opportunity to produce and participate in individual written assignments, group projects and group work.
Module:
1. Introduction to counselling and psychotherapy: This module aims to give the learner a broad introduction to the field of counselling and psychotherapy and the main approaches therein. Learners will have the opportunity to explore various definitions in counselling and psychotherapy, understand the historical developments, appreciate how the need for therapy has evolved at a societal level and understand how theories aid a therapist in understanding human behaviour, emotions, unconscious factors, motivation and making sense and meaning of life experiences. Learners will also be given an overview of the models of Choice Theory and Reality Therapy, Person Centred Counselling and Multicultural approaches.
2. Introduction to counselling skills: This module aims to introduce the learner to the basic and intermediate skills of counselling. Learners will be coached in a range of key skills that will facilitate effective listening within the helping relationship. Learners will explore the characteristics of an effective listener, understand the core conditions of empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard within the helping relationship and become increasingly aware of listening blocks. Learners will have the opportunity to practice listening skills with peer learners throughout this module.
3. Introduction to personal development: This module aims to enable learners to increase their levels of self awareness of their own personal development within the context of becoming a helper. Learners will explore their levels of self-awareness and how this relates to becoming an effective helper in the caring profession. Accurate and sensitive self-awareness underpins any type of helping relationship, as the main instrument for becoming a helper/therapist is the person themselves.
This programme is suitable for those seeking to pursue their awareness and development in the field of counselling and/or who work in the helping/caring professions.
• Applicants should be able to articulate their interest in the therapeutic field and their reasons for pursuing this course of study; and
• Produce evidence of prior educational attainment (see application form for further details)
Entry onto the certificate programme is through application and interview. Selection procedures will apply.
See the course webpage at https://www.iicp.ie/courses/certificate/
Course was developed in response to requests from those seeking to pursue a foundation course in counselling and/or those who wished to develop their understanding of counselling for their personal and/or professional development.