Professional Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychological Therapy
Applications are OPEN for our diploma course which starts in October 2025. This high-quality, professional training is designed to provide a contemporary and practice-based pathway for those who wish to become professional practitioners in the counselling and psychological therapy field. Delivered by expert practitioners, it will offer a solid grounding in person-centred counselling/psychotherapy with an emphasis on the integration of contemporary CBT models focusing on compassion-focused therapy (CFT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). It will offer participants the ability to work in a range of ways with different client difficulties and experiences. It is based on a pluralistic perspective informing much contemporary research and practice in the area of mental health. The programme will be informed by both counselling and applied psychology traditions in theory, knowledge and research.
The programme has evolved from practice and focuses on developing skills and competences relevant to being and working as a professional practitioner in an active therapeutic context.
Programme modules
Year 1
Understanding Therapy 1A & 1B – introduces the history and development of person-centred therapy, including its theoretical and philosophical underpinnings, some of the developmental and personality theories that relate to it, and some of the key ways in which therapeutic interventions are created and delivered.
Core Skills Development 1A & 1B - offers a significant and in-depth introduction to the therapeutic skills necessary to undertake counselling work in a clinical setting. The focus is on person-centred therapeutic skills including the ability to offer empathy, unconditional positive regard and remain congruent in the therapeutic encounter. Provides a framework for developing the skills involved in the establishment, maintenance and ending of an effective and ethical therapeutic relationship. These skills are explored in an applied way and with reference to working with common mental health presentations.
Contemporary Approaches in Mental Health 1 – explores the wider context of counselling practice, including a focus on contemporary mental health contexts, critical perspectives, power and anti-discriminatory practice, and the role of evidence and research in supporting good practice.
Personal and Professional Development 1 – focuses on the integration of personal management skills and professional behaviours as part of becoming a practitioner with integrity, an ethical base and the ability to reflect on self in a fluid and open way.
Year 2
Understanding Therapy 2A & 2B – focuses on the history and development of compassion-focussed therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy and their integration to person-centred practice, including their theoretical and philosophical underpinnings, some of the developmental and personality theories that relate to it, and some of the key ways in which therapeutic interventions are created and delivered.
Core Skills Development 2A & 2B – offers an introduction to the integration of additional therapeutic skills to enhance counselling work in a clinical setting. The focus is on compassion-focussed therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy, and the experiential and behavioural interventions these models offer. Provides a continued framework for developing the skills involved in the establishment, maintenance and ending of an effective and ethical therapeutic relationship. These skills are explored in an applied way and with reference to working with common mental health presentations.
Contemporary Approaches in Mental Health 2 – a continued and advanced exploration of the wider context of counselling practice, including a continued focus on contemporary mental health contexts and critical perspectives, culture, difference, diversity and anti-discriminatory practice, and the role of evidence and research in supporting good practice.
Personal and Professional Development 2 – continued focus on the integration of personal management skills and professional behaviours as part of becoming a practitioner with integrity, an ethical base and the ability to reflect on self in a fluid and open way. Focus on employability and future practice.
Length and structure
The programme is offered on a part-time basis over two years starting in October 2025. It will be delivered via eight weekends (Sat/Sun) of in-person teaching/learning over the year, located in our Hill Street training venue in Edinburgh. This will be supplemented by a weekly online workshop (Thursdays) and an intensive personal development retreat week each year (venues tbc).
Placements
Students will be required to undertake a minimum of 100 hours of supervised clinical practice over the duration of the programme. This will be undertaken in placements located within First Psychology or an associated clinical service. All clinical supervision and support will be provided.
Placement work will normally start in the Spring of year one and be undertaken by a commitment of four hours a week (normally 2-3 clients) until completed, following a ‘readiness to practice’ assessment.
Professional registration
The programme has been designed to meet the requirements of British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) programme accreditation, which would allow all graduates to become BACP registered. An application will be made towards this once the first cohort of students has completed all elements of the programme, in line with BACP requirements. In the meantime the programme will offer a certificate of proficiency in integrative counselling and psychological therapy that has been designed to support graduates meet the requirements for individual registration with the BACP where a course does not have formal accreditation. This is in line with current BACP process (see www.bacp.co.uk/membership/registered-membership/certificate-of-proficiency/).
Outcomes
Upon completion of the programme, students will be eligible to apply for employment opportunities in the third sector, the NHS and occupational health services, or to work as an independent practitioner. Opportunities will also be available to apply to join the First Psychology Training Academy in an employed practitioner role or to apply to become a partner practitioner.
Graduate associateship
All graduates from the programme will be eligible to become a graduate associate with First Psychology Training, gaining access to free CPD, networking events and conferences delivered by First Psychology alongside mentoring and support relating to career development. This will apply for three years following the date of completion of the programme.
Who should apply and entrance requirements
The programme is suitable for graduates in a relevant discipline ( psychology, healthcare, social science etc,) with some experience in a caring/supportive role and a keen interest in working in the mental health field
The programme is also suitable for those with considerable work experience/professional skills wishing to move toward establishing a new career in counselling and psychological therapy.
In order to meet the academic components of the programme we would expect all applicants to have undertaken previous study, ideally at graduate or masters level or via a significant number of professional development courses alongside significant work experience. Some previous training in counselling/listening skills will be expected along with a clear and demonstrable rationale for undertaking a professional training in integrative counselling and psychological therapy at this time. We would normally expect an applicant to have undertaken some personal development work or therapeutic activity at some point prior to applying.
Number of places
There are a maximum of 16 places available in 2025.
Cost
The programme will cost £4500 per year(including VAT, where applicable), including all teaching, assessment and administration. Clinical supervision for placements is also included. Additional costs will be: personal therapy (can be undertaken at a subsidised rate with First Psychology), books/study materials, travel/accommodation to week-long retreat each year (budget around £500).
Fees can be paid in advance or as part of a payment plan. Please ask for further information.
*** special offer ***
Students who join the programme in 2025, will pay a reduced fee of £3,750 per year (£7,500 for both years). This is a unique opportunity to undertake this programme for a reduced fee (including VAT, where applicable).
Thinking of applying for our diploma course?
Applications for entry to our Diploma course starting in 2025 are open! You can find out more about our Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychological Therapy by:
- downloading our 2025 prospectus
- or by attending our online 'open day' on Thursday 24 April, 6.30-7.30pm BST. Register today!
