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The Division of Counselling Psychology Wales (DCoPW)
What is Counselling Psychology?
Counselling Psychology is a relatively new branch of applied professional Psychology that integates psychological theory and research with therapeutic practice. It is firmly rooted in the discipline of psychology, whilst emphasising the importance of the therapeutic relationship and process, and its area of work may overlap with psychotherapy, counselling, clinical psychology and psychiatry.
The practice of counselling psychology requires a high level of self-awareness and competence in relating the skills and knowledge of personal and interpersonal dynamics to the therapeutic context.
Counselling psychology espouses values that aim to empower clients, and places high priority on anti-discriminatory practice, social and cultural context and ethical decision making.
What does a counselling psychologist do?
Counselling psychologists
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may work therapeutically with clients with a variety of problems, difficulties, life issues and crises, with individuals, couples, families or groups.
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bridge the gap between psychology and psychotherapy/counselling and pay particular attention to the meanings, beliefs, context and processes constructed both within and between people, which can affect the psychological wellbeing of the person.
What is the difference between counselling psychology and clinical psychology, counselling or psychotherapy?
Combining personal awareness with a developed understanding of psychological theory may differentiate counselling psychology from related disciplines. Counselling psychologists would consider themselves to have a greater width and depth of psychological knowledge than might be obtained from many counselling psychotherapy trainings and perhaps place a greater emphasis on therapeutic skills and a humanistic value-base, plus personal and relational understanding, than might be obtained from clinical psychology training.
How do I train to be a counselling psychologist?
There are two stages in training leading to Chartered Counselling Psychologist status. The first involves attaining the Graduate Basis for Registration, usually gained by having a BPS accredited first degree in psychology which provides a fundamental knowledge of the discipline.
The second stage requires a three year full time or part time equivalent, postgraduate doctorate-level training and study. This involves:
Training in more than two models of psychological therapy, with an understanding of the three major theoretical schools - psychodynamic, humanistic and cognitive behavioural,
- an emphasis on the therapeutic relationship and on ethical and professional considerations
- training in research models and skills
- supervised placements in at least two different settings
- personal psychological therapy
At present there are nine such BPS accredited programmes based in universities or associated training institutes in London and the South East, Wolverhampton, Teeside and UWE in Bristol.
There is also the BPS Qualification in Counselling Psychology, which is the independent route equivalent of the accredited taught courses. This enables entrants who may already be in post to plan and follow a more flexible route through training and is particularly suited to mature students.
All the trainings have to be of the standard and rigour required by the BPS and by the university awards authorities but vary in their therapeutic orientation and interests and their particular philosophy, teaching styles and approach to practice.
Successful completion of training leads to eligibility for Chartered Counselling Psychologist status with the British Psychological Society.
For further information about training courses, please click here.
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