DCounsPsych Counselling Psychology

University of Manchester

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.

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.

As a postgraduate researcher, you'll have access to a large and diverse community of internationally recognised academic experts offering an environment that will stimulate intellectual debate and development. We provide additional financial support for a number of activities related to your doctoral studies, including:

presenting at international conferences;
attending workshops that provide relevant professional opportunities;
conducting fieldwork in the UK and overseas.

Coursework and assessment

We utilise a range of assessment methods on the course. This includes:

videoed therapeutic skills work;
written theoretical assignments, research papers and process reports;
research poster presentations to peers;
practice portfolios;
a 50,000-word thesis in the final year of study.

You must also present your research work at a conference during their time on the course.

In addition to successfully completing academic assignments, throughout Years 1 to 3, you will also have to satisfy progression panels related to your therapeutic practice and research.

Career opportunities

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