Professional Doctorate in Existential Phenomenological
Counselling Psychology (DPsych)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The FAQs below cover our Professional Doctorate in
Existential Phenomenological Counselling
Psychology only. For general Admissions queries or
further information about SPCP, please visit our main FAQs
page.
Admissions Queries
Background Experience Queries
Course Queries
Progression Queries
Finance & Funding
Admissions Queries
When is the application deadline?
We do not have application deadlines for any of our courses at
SPCP. However, as places on each programme are limited and are
offered on a first-come-first serve basis, early application is
advisable to avoid disappointment. If you want to check that places
are still available before applying, please email us at spc@regents.ac.uk.
Who should I ask to be my referee? Is there a form they need to
complete?
You will need to provide two references for the DPsych
programme. One of these MUST be from an academic/professional
source - ideally your Foundation Course Leader or equivalent. The
other can be a character reference, but must come from someone who
has known you for at least 4 years. We accept references from
previous/current employers, previous/current tutors, and
professionals of your long-standing acquaintance (e.g. doctors,
lawyers, social workers, nurses, teachers). Please note that
references from personal therapists are NOT accepted for the DPsych
programme.
There is a specific form that referees must complete for the
DPsych, which can be downloaded from
our 'How to Apply' page. The form explains what
should be included within the reference and where the reference
should be sent.
It is your responsibility to approach your referees and request
references. SPCP is unable to request references on your behalf.
Interviews will only take place once references have been
received.
How many students do you accept for each class?
We accept a maximum of 16 students onto each intake.
What do you mean by personal maturity and life experience?
Personal maturity and life experience is not necessarily related
to age! This is a full time Professional Doctorate, which requires
commitment, psychological robustness, critical reflection, highly
developed interpersonal skills, and willingness to share personal
information and life experiences. Although we are not expecting
excellence in the above areas your involvement with the programme
will expose you to a rigorous training that requires discipline and
self-gravity. Such qualities - together with openness to different
world views and perspectives - are considered necessary and will be
‘tested’ in your engagement with all modules, fellow trainees, and
of course at your clinical placement where you will be working
therapeutically with clients.
Would it be feasible for me to work and complete the programme
at the same time?
We totally appreciate the financial constraints of counselling
psychology training, which currently is not funded by the
government. Although we cannot stop you from holding a part-time
job, it is our professional and ethical responsibility to warn you
of the demands of this programme and the increasing expectations as
you are progressing to subsequent years. Our personal experience as
well as feedback from past trainees shows that holding a job
alongside your training is an almost impossible task.
Nevertheless, it is your choice and we will try to support you
in every way possible within limitations and in accordance to
standards of education and proficiency. Should you choose to work
alongside the course, you will need to bear in mind that at least 3
full days per week will be taken up with course work (2 days per
week tuition, 1 day per week clinical placement).
How do I find a clinical placement?
You are responsible for finding and arranging clinical
placements throughout your training in at least two different
counselling psychology settings (one of which must be in the NHS).
A list of clinical placements will be provided by the clinical
placement coordinator during the first term however, you do not
have to rely on our list. We strongly advise you to do your own
independent research guided by your own interests or indeed
convenience (i.e. you might want to search for a placement near by
where you live for time-management reasons and efficiency).
Should you decide to do your own independent search, you will
need to complete all relevant documents, which monitor the
placement’s suitability. You cannot commence your work at any given
placement in the absence of approval from SPCP's Clinical
Placement Coordinator. Once you are admitted to the course you will
attend a module that is specially designed for clinical placements
and all issues surrounding your work as a counselling psychology
trainee. The module is run by the Clinical Placement Coordinator,
who will assist you and support you throughout your training and
will be available at designated times (within office hours) to
respond to any questions you might have.
What is GBC?
The acronym refers to Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership
with the British Psychological Society (BPS). It is necessary
to have this in order to become eligible for entry to the
Register of Chartered Psychologists. Chances are that if you have
completed your undergraduate degree in psychology in the UK you
will be eligible for GBC. However, if you need to apply for it then
you need to download an application and further information from
the BPS website.
If you have completed your psychology degree oversees then you
can gain GBC by sitting a BPS qualifying examination or by taking a
Psychology Conversion course. Please visit the BPS website
for further refer information.
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Background Experience Queries
Do I need to have knowledge of the
Existential Phenomenological paradigm before applying?
A basic knowledge of the Existential Phenomenological paradigm
is necessary before applying, as this paradigm constitutes the
core philosophy of the training. Familiarity with this
approach, as well as an interest and enthusiasm towards it, is
therefore essential.
If you would like to find out more
about this approach, we recommend the readings below:
- Cohn, W., Hans. Existential Thought and
Therapeutic Practice: An Introduction to Existential
Psychotherapy. London: Sage, 1997.
- Cox, Gary. How to be an Existentialist: or How to Get Real,
Get a Grip and Stop Making Excuses. London: Continuum
Publishing Corporation, 2011. (This is a concise and humorous
introduction to existentialism)
- Deurzen, E. Van. Existential
Counselling & Psychotherapy in Practice (2nd ed.). London:
Sage Publications, 2002.
- Spinelli, E. The Interpreted World:
An Introduction to Phenomenological Psychology. London: Sage
publications, 2005.
- Valle, R. Phenomenological Inquiry
in Psychology. London: Plenum Press, 1998.
- Yalom, D., Irvin. The Gift of Therapy: An Open Letter
to a New Generation of Therapists and Their Patients: Reflections
on Being a Therapist. London: Piatkus Books, 2003.
What kind of counselling skills experience do I need to have
prior to my admission to the programme?
You need to have successfully completed a Foundation Course in
Psychotherapy & Counselling
Is counselling related experience required for my admission to
the programme?
Face-to-face counselling experience is a desirable prerequisite
for your admission but not essential. However, evidence of such
experience will substantially strengthen your application to the
programme.
Do I need to be in personal therapy?
Personal therapy is mandatory for our programme; you should be
in therapy as soon as possible and no later than the end of the
first term. Being in therapy with an existential psychotherapist is
desirable due to the philosophy and nature of our programme.
However, you will be able to continue with your existing therapist
as long as s/he is registered with one of the following
professional bodies (i.e., BPS/HPC and UKCP). By the end of your
training you should have accumulated at least 120 hours of personal
therapy (no previous hours can be counted towards this goal).
Course Queries
When is the programme taught?
This is a full-time programme delivered over two days per week
(Mondays and Tuesdays). Each term is 10 weeks
(including reading weeks) and all lectures, supervision, and
clinical practice take place between 10am to 5pm. In addition, you
will be required to spend at least one extra day per week at a
placement for your clinical practice training. The day depends on
clinical placement management, but cannot fall on a Monday or
Tuesday, as these are tuition days.
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Progression Queries
What about my registration with the British Psychological
Society and Health Professions Council following the completion of
my training?
Our programme will be BPS and HPC
accredited*. Upon successful completion of the
programme, you will be eligible to apply for Chartership with
the BPS and for registration as a Practitioner Psychologist with
the HPC.
Finance & Funding
Do you have any scholarships or bursaries?
Counselling Psychology trainings in the UK are self-funded so
candidates should be reasonably confident that they can secure
adequate funding for this training in order to avoid unnecessary
disappointments.
Regent’s College offers bursaries to
students who demonstrate high academic achievement (a first or
equivalent from a United Kingdom recognised institution at
undergraduate level), who meet required means testing criteria, and
have been normally domiciled in the United Kingdom for the last
three years. For further information, please see the
Regent’s College London website.
Career Development Loans are available from banks for both UK
and EEC trainees. Overseas trainees are advised to obtain relevant
information from their respective government departments and to
contact the British Council for further information.
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This programme is approved by the HPC, accredited
by the BPS and validated by The Open University.
Page last updated 5/17/2012