A Master of Arts (MA) in Psychotherapy

Overview

The MA in Psychotherapy offers a postgraduate qualification which meets requirements for professional training for individuals interested in training as humanistic and psychodynamic psychotherapists in the integrative model. The course has been designed for graduates from a Level 8 Counselling and Psychotherapy programme who are suitable for supervised clinical training in humanistic and psychodynamic psychotherapy in accordance with the integrative model. A combination of the Higher Diploma in Arts in Counselling and Psychotherapy (or equivalent) and the MA in Psychotherapy at Dublin Business School should fulfil the requirements of a four-year training course that is expected by the professional bodies in the field of Psychotherapy. The MA course is also research focused and therefore provides students with a range of research skills appropriate to the field of counselling and psychotherapy.

Key Features of the MA in Psychotherapy

• Designed for graduates from disciplines related to counselling and psychotherapy
• Aims to meet the needs of individuals who wish to train as professional Psychotherapists
• Designed with close attention paid to requirements of professional bodies and discussions regarding statutory and European regulation in the field
• Delivered on a modular basis, typically students will attend classes on two evenings per weeks & attend weekend workshops once or twice a month
• Comprises of Theoretical components, Personal Psychotherapy, Weekly Process Groups & Supervised Clinical Counselling/Psychotherapy Practice
• The orientation is primarily humanistic/integrative
• Includes master classes and workshops from experienced practitioners

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for the Master of Arts in Psychotherapy are:

• A Level 8 undergraduate honours degree with a minimum Second-Class Second Division (2.2) from a recognised third level institution in Counselling and Psychotherapy or an equivalent qualification in a cognate area from a recognised third level institution, or
• A graduate of any non-cognate discipline and hold a qualification in a conversion-style programme such as the DBS Higher Diploma in Arts in Counselling and Psychotherapy (wherein they have passed all requirements at honours level, including oral examination of professional suitability), or
• Hold an equivalent qualification in the field of Humanistic, Integrative and Psychodynamic study and training or have equivalent professional qualifications.
• Suitable candidates should be able to demonstrate significant life experience, self-awareness and maturity. Learners on the Master of Arts in Psychotherapy programme are required to have entered their own psychotherapy before commencement of the programme. This will have been a requirement of the required prior learning qualification indicated above. Prior learning qualifications should also have included a minimum of 60 hours process group work
• Ideally candidates should also have experience either professionally or on a voluntary basis in a role which can be related to the work of counselling/psychotherapy. Candidates are expected to be able to show evidence of having the personal qualities necessary to undertake psychotherapy training. To this end there is an interview process as part of the admissions procedure in order to assess academic and personal suitability
• Applicants who do not have a Level 8 qualification at a 2.2 award level and who have at least 3 years’ work experience may also be considered through the college’s normal RPL procedures. Relevant professional experience may be taken into account and individuals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis through DBS RPL procedures.

Accreditation

The MA in Psychotherapy offers a postgraduate qualification which meets requirements for professional training for individuals interested in training as humanistic and psychodynamic psychotherapists in the integrative model.

For instance, the Masters in Psychotherapy combined with our Higher Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy is recognised as a 4 year training by IAHIP (Irish Association for Humanistic Integrative Psychotherapy).

Garda Vetting

The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016 make it mandatory for people working unsupervised with children or vulnerable adults to be vetted by the Garda Siochana National Vetting Bureau. Under the Acts, anyone whose work or activity involves unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults must be vetted. Workers include staff, volunteers and those on student placements working for a relevant organisation where they have access to children and/or vulnerable adults.

DBS offers a number of educational Programmes that require students to undertake placements with external agencies, which will bring them into contact with the public and in which they will assume positions of trust. It is for this reason that students on these type of programmes are required to undergo vetting prior to commencing placements (or visits).

New entrants on to these programmes will receive the relevant form and information in their orientation packs and will need to complete the process before their final registration on the course can be completed. At the time of application, students will be required to declare as to any previous convictions. Students can start on the course before their Garda clearance is completed but may be withdrawn if the vetting does not produce a satisfactory finding.

Where a vetting process identifies a previous conviction the case will be referred to an internal College Vetting Committee. This committee will consider all relevant information in relation to a disclosure from the vetting process and make a determination on the case on behalf of the College.

If a student has started on the course and is withdrawn because of a conviction that was not declared at the time of application, any fees paid will not be refunded.

DBS will charge a fee of €25 to each student for the administration and costs of obtaining Garda clearance. This fee is payable at the commencement of the programme and is non refundable.

Course Content

The Master of Arts (MA) in Psychotherapy programme has the following content:

• • Supervised Clinical Practice
  • Clinical Group Supervision
  • Process Group
  • Theory and Practice 1: Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
  • Theory and Practice 2: Integrative Psychotherapy
  • Theory and Practice 3: Object Relations
  • Theory and Practice 4: Integrative Psychotherapy
  • Gesalt Therapy
  • Existential Psychotherapy
  • Ethics and Contemporary Issues
  • The Body in Psychotherapy
  • Psychotherapy and the Public Sphere
  • Workshops
  • Self, Subject, Person
  • Research Project

Assessment Methods

Each year students are assessed not only on their skills and academic knowledge but they also participate in two feedback meetings per year to discuss their progress in training. Feedback and assessment are the basis of a decision regarding their suitability for professional practice as counsellors and psychotherapists, and ultimately their qualification with the MA.

Structure

The MA in Psychotherapy is delivered on a modular basis during evenings and weekends and will normally take students two years to complete. During each year, students will normally study 2 evenings a week for two 12 week semesters and attend weekend experiential workshops and seminars. In this time students will participate in experiential group learning and attend academic lectures, both of which direct their study and understanding of counselling and the theories and practices of counselling and psychotherapy.

In the second year of the programme there are two Master Class modules involving highly experienced practitioners bringing that experience to a teaching context. In order to best equip students research methodologies and the range of contemporary issues that face professional Psychotherapists will also be amongst the topics studied.

Fundamental to training in the field of counselling and psychotherapy is the undergoing of one’s own psychotherapy. This work of clarifying one’s actions and motivations is challenging, stimulating and ultimately rewarding at a personal level as well as grounding professional practice. Students should expect to be in their own personal therapy for the duration of the MA.

The MA programme involves students beginning supervised clinical counselling/psychotherapy practice. Supporting this, in addition to the personal psychotherapy mentioned above are two forms of clinical supervision - individual and group. The two supervision arrangements provide the opportunity for students to articulate their questions regarding their therapeutic interventions and position. Group supervision is incorporated into the MA timetable. Payment in relation to one's personal psychotherapy and individual supervision is not included in the course fee and is arrange individually with the therapist and supervisor.

Career Opportunities

Holders of the MA in Psychotherapy will be qualified to work in the following areas:

• The Voluntary Sector
• Primary Care settings
• Social Care settings
• Educational settings
• Private Practice following admission to a professional body

It is envisaged that the programme will appeal to those interested in further postgraduate study, such as at PhD level.

Fees

The course fees for the next academic year are €5,390 per annum. This covers the cost of tuition, registration and examinations.

Visit Us

Open days are a great way to help you make your decision about DBS and learn more about the Master of Arts (MA) in Psychotherapy. As well as experiencing our outstanding facilities, you'll have the opportunity to receive personalised advice from academics from your subject area, meet current postgraduate students and also have your questions answered on general subjects such as entry requirements, student support and the admissions process.