MA Advancing Counselling Practice

In this module, you’ll explore different ways to carry out research in counselling. You’ll learn about key ideas like reflexivity and ethics, and why they matter in your work. Using what you learn, you’ll create your own research proposal. You’ll identify an area you want to explore and choose the best research method to investigate it.

In this module, you’ll take a closer look at your core counselling model and think about how you can improve your practice. You’ll explore current research and theory linked to your approach, helping you build new skills and perspectives.

You’ll also develop your understanding of how your model works in practice. This includes any challenges and important considerations.

In this module, you’ll explore the links between mental and physical health, and what they mean for your counselling practice. You’ll look at psychodynamically informed ideas and how these can shape the relationship between you and your client. This includes bodily transference and countertransference.

You’ll also think about how you use yourself in the room, including your physical presence as a counsellor. The module also covers topics like psychosomatic symptoms and how trauma can be held in the body.

In this module, you’ll take a holistic approach to mental health. You’ll explore how clients understand their own experiences, and how this relates to formal diagnosis.

You’ll look at different counselling approaches and how they can support people with a range of mental health needs. You’ll also take part in discussions about boundaries and how mental health is defined, especially in today’s changing world.

You’ll learn about the counsellor’s role within a multidisciplinary team and build your understanding of assessment.

In this module, you’ll develop your approach to clinical practice. You’ll explore a range of theories and perspectives that help you understand your clients and their experiences.

You’ll learn how different life stages can shape a person’s needs and help explain the challenges they bring to counselling. You’ll also build your knowledge of trauma-informed practice.

The module looks at how life events and patterns of attachment can affect wellbeing, and what this means for your work as a counsellor.

In this module, you’ll explore what it means to be a professional counsellor. You’ll look at ideas like specialism and expertise, and how different counselling approaches understand them.

You’ll learn with your peers, sharing ideas and experiences in a collaborative way. This will help you think about different ways of being a practitioner and develop your own views.

By the end of the module, you’ll be ready to share and discuss your perspective with others.

In this module, you’ll reflect on how counselling is changing and how it connects with other caring professions.

You’ll explore how professionals outside the field view counselling, including common misconceptions. You’ll learn about the roles of other specialists, such as psychiatrists and social workers. You'll also gain an understanding of why clients need a wide range of professional support.

You’ll think about the limits of counselling and when another approach may be more suitable for a client.

In this module, you’ll explore how psychological difficulties develop. You'll do this by looking at different personality theories and perspectives.

You’ll also consider approaches that place a person’s experiences in a wider social context. This includes ideas from systemic theory, narrative therapy, and psychoanalytic theory.

Alongside this, you’ll look at sociological and political perspectives. This will help you think beyond the individual and consider new ways of supporting clients.

In this module, you’ll develop a project action plan. You’ll respond to feedback on your original proposal and explain any changes you plan to make.

With support from your supervisor, you’ll carry out your project and produce a final report for assessment. You’ll also share your findings with professionals in the field, helping to inform and shape future practice.

In this module, you’ll focus on a specific part of your casework experience where you’re developing specialist knowledge. This could relate to your clinical placement, a particular client group, or a presenting issue.

You’ll then show your understanding of your work as a counselling practitioner. You’ll do this by bringing together counselling theory, current research, and professional guidance. This will include ethics and competencies.

In this module, you’ll explore the skills needed to work with children and young people in counselling.

You’ll draw on current research, evidence, and professional guidelines to review your own training and development. This will help you understand how closely your practice aligns with best practice standards.

You’ll then create an action plan to develop your skills further and address any gaps.