Course Curriculum

The Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy at Level 600 is structured around a comprehensive set of core and elective units designed to develop advanced professional knowledge, therapeutic competence, and ethical practice. The core units focus on strengthening the personal and professional identity of the therapist, beginning with an exploration of the person and practice of the counsellor and the philosophical foundations and theories that underpin counselling and psychotherapy. Strong emphasis is placed on ethical decision-making and mental health practice, ensuring learners are well prepared to work responsibly and safely with complex client presentations. Students develop enhanced therapeutic effectiveness through advanced skills training and a detailed examination of group work theories and practices, equipping them to work confidently with individuals and groups across diverse settings. The curriculum also addresses counselling in a diverse world, fostering cultural responsiveness and inclusive practice when working with clients from varied social, cultural, and developmental backgrounds. Elective and specialist units expand learners’ expertise in key contemporary areas, including atypical development across the lifespan, research-informed and contemporary counselling approaches, and the application of neuroscience to counselling and psychotherapy. Trauma-informed counselling and grief therapy provide in-depth knowledge and practical strategies for supporting clients experiencing trauma, loss, and significant life challenges. Professional readiness is further strengthened through advanced placement and supervision units, which provide structured, supervised practice in real-world settings and support the integration of theory with applied clinical experience. Together, these units offer a balanced and rigorous programme that combines theoretical depth, research awareness, cultural sensitivity, and extensive supervised practice. By the end of the course, learners are equipped with the advanced skills, ethical judgement, and professional confidence required to work effectively with complex client needs and to progress into senior roles or specialised practice areas within counselling and psychotherapy.