曼彻斯特大学

Programme description

The Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology (DCounsPsych) at The University of Manchester is the only Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and British Psychological Society (BPS)-approved doctoral programme in counselling psychology offered by a Russell Group university.

The programme has four major components: the development of appropriate theoretical knowledge; the development of research skills; the development of therapeutic practice skills; and an emphasis upon personal development.

Throughout the programme, you will be introduced in detail to a pluralistic approach of therapy, with a focus on humanistic counselling during the first year and cognitive behavioural therapy in the second.

Alongside assessed units, you will complete a minimum of 450 hours' supervised therapeutic practice and 40 hours' personal therapy.

All members of staff are psychologists who are active in the fields of both research and clinical practice in counselling psychology.

In terms of clinical practice, their work is ongoing within NHS, private healthcare and third-sector settings. Their training backgrounds include skills in humanistic therapies, cognitive-behaviour therapy, and group analytic approaches.

Staff members publish their research and write widely in the fields of counselling, counselling psychology, psychotherapy, applied psychology, and education, including exploring critical and methodological innovations between psychotherapy and education.

In recent years they have been successful in receiving research funding to conduct work looking at topics such as how wellbeing is supported in educational settings, online therapeutic approaches, and the impact of austerity measures on the wellbeing and education of children and families.

Aims

You will, upon completion, be equipped as a competent counselling psychologist who is eligible to apply for HCPC registration and BPS chartered status.

Teaching and learning

The programme consists of three days' contact with the University for the first two years, and one day in the third year.

There is a large emphasis on experiential learning and case reflection in the programme. Professional input combines larger group seminars with smaller workshop-based activities. Inputs are facilitated by the core staff team, other University staff, and professionals with expertise in specific areas.

Throughout the programme, trainees have an allocated tutor, with whom they can arrange tutorials and meetings. Trainees are also supported by the wider programme staff team, and their primary and secondary research supervisors. A significant amount of learning also occurs whilst on placement and trainees are supported here by placement educators and practice supervisors.

Career opportunities

Supporting trainees to develop professional profiles that can lead to employment is a central concern for the programme team.

Graduates have gone on to secure employment in NHS, private, academic and third-sector settings.

In addition to this, trainees have often secured paid positions during their time on the programme.

There is potential for graduates to take part in a BPS-accredited supervision programme, which enables individuals to apply to join the Register of Applied Psychologist Supervisors.

As a postgraduate researcher, you'll have access to a dedicated Researcher Development Team who will support your professional development throughout your doctoral journey and beyond.

Our researcher development programme will enable you to become more aware of your developing researcher identity, equipping you with the skills you need during your PhD and prepare you to integrate into the researcher community.