MA Counselling with Children and Young People

ncreased UK-wide interest in the mental wellbeing of children and young adults makes it an exciting time to study this particular branch of counselling.

Counselling gives children and young people a secure, confidential environment where they can express and understand their feelings, thoughts and emotions. It can provide understanding in person-centred therapy. Where there are behavioural issues, it can facilitate communication. It can also provide support in a family conflict situation.

Counsellors working with children and young people need excellent listening skills, patience, understanding, and an interest in children. They must also be sensitive to a child’s needs, and be aware of their own personal feelings towards issues that may arise during their counselling sessions. In some cases, a counsellor maybe required to take action and inform other professionals as a result of information disclosed during a counselling session.

This innovative programme provides postgraduate initial education and training for working therapeutically in this branch of counselling. It will equip you with the specialised skills and knowledge you’ll need to work in this area.

Key facts

• Practice is an essential element of the programmes
• The course uses an integrated combination of face-to-face teaching and self directed study

Course duration

Part-time

2 ½ years**

Location: Wrexham

Start month: September

**Generally students eligible for this title will have studied on a part time basis, but the critical criteria is that students must have successfully completed the placement element of the programme.

Career opportunities

When you have successfully completed your studies, you will have a comprehensive understanding of the relevant skills needed for practice and research. You will be able to:

• deal with complex counselling and play therapy issues, and make informed judgments to appropriate parties such as professional supervisors;
• act independently to plan, implement, analyse and evaluate your work;
• demonstrate initiative in tackling and resolving issues in the workplace.

This is an evolving area leading to new employment opportunities across a range of public, private and voluntary bodies. School will be the main focus for developing services in the UK, and in Wales in particular. Voluntary bodies offer counselling to children who prefer to be seen outside school. Specialist organisations, such as the Samaritans or CRUSE Bereavement Care, look after children with particular needs. There are also opportunities for private practice.

Course content

MA Counselling with Children and Young People** 

Using a combination of experiential and other learning and teaching methods, this programme will equip you to develop all the qualities and skills needed to work in this field. You’ll study a range of legislative, policy and theoretical issues involved in counselling children and young people. The course integrates the study of specific subjects and skills with examination of personal values and encourages self-awareness and personal development.

• Child & Young Person Development and Counselling and Play Therapy
• Context and Issues within Counselling and Play Therapy with Children and Young People
• Counselling and Play Therapy Practicum with Children and Young People 1
• Counselling and Play Therapy Practicum with Children and Young People 2
• Counselling and Play Therapy with Children and Young People Supervised Practice Placement (100 hours)
• Counselling Children and Young People in the International Context
• Dissertation

Assessment

The programme includes a variety of assessment methods, including essays, presentations, case studies and reflective reports. Assessment will encourage practice informed by theory and will enable students to reflect critically on theory as well as their developing practice and personal development.

Entry requirements

If you work in a caring profession such as teaching, social work or nursing you will be suited to this degree. This is because you are likely to be emotionally mature and have the life experience needed to take on the emotional distress of vulnerable children and young people. You should have a first degree or equivalent and have relevant professional experience. We are looking for people who can:

• demonstrate emotional maturity;
• undertake sustained, self-directed study;
• clearly express information and argument in writing, and;
• work as a member of a small group.

You must also be willing to take on the challenge of developing and increasing your self-awareness. You will be expected to take increasing responsibility for identifying your own learning needs and to make use of available resources.

Practice is an essential element of the programmes.

The course uses an integrated combination of face-to-face teaching and self directed study.