CHILD PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC COUNSELLING

Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling With Children

What is Psychotherapeutic Counselling with Children?

Psychotherapeutic Counselling with Children will draw on psychology using a humanistic - integrative approach. It draws upon developmental gestalt and a range of integrative theories to enable a thorough understanding of how to work effectively with the child/young person in a counselling setting. Trainees will therefore be child centred, being able to be flexible enough to meet the needs of the child at their particular age of development. The relationship is a crucial part of the healing process and underpinning the course will be a working knowledge of the dynamics of relating including the issue of transference.

Who is the course aimed at?

The course is aimed at attracting those who have experience of working with children/young people such as teachers, nurses, social workers and voluntary sector workers. It provides an excellent basis for anyone who would wish to move into Counselling either in statutory settings or into private practice. Acceptance for training is based on a selection process comprising a written application; interview, references and a police check clearance.

Other requirements

All trainees must undergo their own personal therapy of a minimum of 35 hours therapy per year, to have a total of 120 hours before accreditation. (See section on Personal therapy)
All trainees must have a current Disclosure and Barring Service check (cost approximately £80 but will only be charged if you are accepted on the course and it lasts 3 years)
All TACT Members must sign up with the ICO (currently around £40 per annum)
All trainees working with children need to be in regular supervision. (See section on supervision)
All trainees must have Professional Indemnity Insurance.
All trainees have to be a member of TACT
Before being able to commence working with children key workshops will have to be completed.
The course requires the trainee to work with a minimum of 2 children in placement and to have 2 different placements by the end of training.

COURSE CONTENT

Year 1

Listening Skills
Ethics/Safeguarding
Neuroscience
Transference and Countertransference
Projective Identification
Sexuality, Gender Issues and Diversity
Family Therapy (4 Days)
Development of the Self – Object Relations
Childhood Sexual Abuse
Advanced Projective Technique – -Pathways to Embodiment

Year 2

Assessment of the Child and Family
Projective Techniques – Mediums of Play
Attachment and Separation
Shame and Envy in Childhood and Adolescence
Psychiatric Considerations in Childhood and Adolescence – Bullying/Self Harm/Phobia(4 Days)
Advance Projective Technique – Art
Models of the Person – Gestalt
Working Remotely
Bereavement, Endings, Loss and Transitions

Year 3

Safeguarding
The Nature of Empathy-Unconditional Positive Regard-Congruency (over 2 workshops)
Exploring Research in Counselling
Models of the Person -TA (4 days)
Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences
Working with other professionals and understanding development and learning.
Counsellor Self-Maintenance
Presentation of Research and Endings
Case Study/Tape Transcript & Post Qualifying Obligations

Fran Glasper is the course leader and other trainers include Emma Allen, Karen Davies-Hough, Dr Steven Smith (All UKCP Registered Psychotherapists or Child Psychotherapeutic Counsellors)

SUPERVISION

Following the completion of key workshops students undertake training placements to practice their skills in a real-life environment (usually at the end of the first year or the beginning of the second). It is mandatory that students have supervision with a suitably qualified EIATSCYP, UKCP accredited supervisor who will be identified by the tutor.

Students will be expected to complete a minimum of 24 hours of supervision in each year. To encourage mutual learning and support some of the supervision will be in group, this will normally take place in a group format of 2 to 4 students.

Trainees in year 1 and 2 of their practice are required to have 1 hour of their own supervision to 4 hours of client contact and year 3 onwards it will be at the ratio of 1 hour of their own supervision to 6 hours of client contact.

Trainees are to meet with their supervisor twice a month, the minimum of supervision a month for each trainee is 2 hours.

The cost of supervision is not included in the course fees but is generally about £80-90 per month.

PERSONAL THERAPY

All students will be expected to undertake their own personal therapy from the start of the training until registration. Students will be expected to have a minimum of 35 hours per year personal therapy. Choice of therapist is a personal thing however the therapist must be Humanistic-Integrative orientation. The fees for the therapy will be the responsibility of the student and are generally around £40-45 per hour. A personal learning journal will be kept from the start of therapy.

At the time of going to press the figures for training, supervision and personal therapy are correct but these could be subject to change.

ASSESSMENT

Assessment of skills and knowledge is an ongoing part of the course and will include Self, Peer and Tutor assessment via written projects, case study, training log and technical demonstrations.

There are 3 pieces of written work per year of approximately 1500 words plus a personal profile. At the end of training there is a final case study of 8000 – 10,000 words and a tape of work undertaken with children that is transcribed and critiqued (20 minutes long).

AWARD OF THE DIPLOMA IN PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC COUNSELLING WITH CHILDREN (Dip.PCC)

Successful candidates will be awarded the Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling with Children on successful completion of course work assignments. In addition candidates must have attended all workshops and met the requirements of clinical supervision and personal therapy. On passing all requirements you will be eligible to register as a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor with the ‘European Interdisciplinary Association for Therapeutic Services with Children and Young People ‘(EIATSCYP) and the ‘United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy – Psychotherapeutic Counselling and Intersubjective Psychotherapy College’ (UKCP-PCIPC)

COURSE STRUCTURE

The Course takes place over 3 years. There will be 8/9 two-day workshops each year, run over weekends (Saturday & Sunday) and one 4-day summer block, Friday to Monday. Each day will be divided into sections that focus on four areas, namely, group process, theory, supervised skills practice in both small and whole group settings and supervision.

The day will start at 9.00am and end at 5.30pm, with morning and afternoon breaks and an hour for lunch.

COURSE LEADER

Fran Glasper is the course leader who is, UKCP Registered Child Psychotherapeutic Counsellor. Her background includes many years in teaching , in particular working with children with additional needs as well as working with Local Authority Adoption Services. She has been practicing in both private practice and local authority settings working with adults, families and children.

Other course tutors will be involved at various stages to provide specific input on a variety of topics.

FEES

The annual training fee currently is £2745, in line with inflation this may be subject to change by January 2027. This is a highly competitive rate and represents excellent value for money. Fees may be paid in full at the beginning of the year or by standing order over 10 months this will include a small administration fee. Please note that whilst we make every effort to keep fees as initially advertised each year the fees throughout the training will be evaluated and subject to inflation and market pricing.
In addition trainees are required to have access to a computer, printer and be expected to make some purchase of books and academic materials.
Membership fee is included in the annual training fee during the formal training
If you are accepted on the course a deposit of £500 is required immediately on acceptance and is non-refundable. Once accepted on the course the remaining fees for the year will be required to be paid.

Next intake January 2027