Postgraduate Certificate in Integrative Psychotherapy

Overview

The Postgraduate Certificate in Integrative Psychotherapy (PGCIP) constitutes the final stage of training to become a professionally registered integrative psychotherapist through the Humanistic and Integrative College of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).

Integrative psychotherapy is based on the belief that there is no single or universal approach to therapeutic practice. Rather, an effective clinical practice incorporates a range of different approaches that focus on building a trusting therapeutic relationship between the client and the psychotherapist. It is understood that only through this integrated approach can both the client and the psychotherapist begin their transformative journey together.

The PGCIP explores a range of diverse perspectives to enable you to develop your own integrative clinical practice. Throughout your training, you’ll be encouraged to incorporate and embody these theoretical approaches in your personal life as well as your clinical practice.

It is commonly accepted that the therapeutic relationship, rather than a theoretical approach, is the active ingredient in integrative psychotherapy. The PGCIP therefore espouses a reflexive approach that places emphasis on experience over theory. Experiential exercises and personal therapy sessions will give you the opportunity to explore yourself in a safe space. This critical reflection will enhance your self-awareness and help you develop into an ethical practitioner who is able to work in different settings with a wide variety of clients.

Throughout your training, you’ll be expected to work with at least three adult clients on a minimum basis of once a week. For the award of PGCIP, you are required to complete a minimum of 100 clinical hours during the taught element of the programme. For UKCP accreditation, you are required to complete 450 clinical hours in total. The total you accrue will include the hours acquired during previous training.

You will also be expected to participate in weekly personal psychotherapy sessions with a UKCP-registered therapist.

As a qualified integrative psychotherapist, you will hold a privileged position which requires humility and discernment. Our training will teach you how to uphold clinical standards of practice and work competently, humanely and ethically with the most vulnerable members of society.

Please note as this is a part-time programme, we are not able to sponsor students for a Student visa.

Assessments

The assessment criteria is based on a portfolio of four pieces of written work that demonstrate your competence in professional practice. Assessments include:

• An academic essay focusing on the personal process of theoretical integration
• A final theory case study with a long-term client
• A recorded session process report
• A self-evaluation of learning essay

Careers

Upon successful completion of the PGCIP, you will be eligible for professional registration with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) through the Humanistic and Integrative College.

MA Psychotherapy & Counselling (taught pathway in Integrative Psychotherapy) or a Postgraduate Diploma with the equivalent study of integrative psychotherapy to the MAPC Integrative pathway; a minimum of 200 client-contact hours in a formal clinical placement; a minimum of three years (120 sessions) regular individual psychotherapy; interview.