Overview
Do you want to learn how to help people change something in their lives by helping them explore their issues and feelings in a safe and confidential environment?
On this Humanistic Gestalt Counselling DipHE at Eastleigh College, you'll conduct 100-hours of supervised counselling, and develop your talking therapy skills and techniques in the classroom. You'll learn how to build relationships of mutual trust and respect to create a safe space for clients and facilitate their growth and change.
By the end of your diploma, you'll be prepared for a career in a counselling role. You'll also have a foundation to apply for accreditation from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Location
This course takes place at Eastleigh College. While studying at Eastleigh College, you can access the University's student support services and community including study support, the Students' Union and our library's online resources.
This gestalt counselling course gives you the opportunity to develop as a counselling professional. Graduating with a DipHE in Humanistic Gestalt Counselling puts you in the position to further your professional qualifications or take up work in a counselling position.
What can you do with a diploma in Humanistic Gestalt Counselling?
After the course, areas you could go into include:
- the health sector
- education
- the voluntary sector
- private practice
- the police
- the prison service
You can also use your Humanistic Gestalt Counselling DipHE to get entry to higher-level professional qualifications such as:
- BACP Certificate of Proficiency - passing this makes you a registered members of the BACP (MBACP)
- BACP Accreditation - a professional counsellor qualification that requires another 350 hours of supervised practice
You can apply for accreditation from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) provided you meet their requirements including total client hours, supervision on placement, and sufficient records of continuing professional development (CPD).
What jobs can you do with a gestalt counselling diploma?
Roles you could take on include:
- workplace counsellor
- university counsellor
- drug and alcohol worker
- eating disorder counsellor
- learning support assistant
- mental health professional
You can get help, advice and support from our Careers and Employability service for up to 5 years after you leave the University as you advance in your career.
What you'll study on this DipHE Humanistic Gestalt Counselling course
On this course, you'll study modules worth 240 credits.
Due to changing circumstances as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we may need to make changes to courses to ensure your safety and to ensure compliance with Government guidelines. We'll provide you with as much notice as possible of any such changes. Your course leader will inform you of these. Changes may include things such as modules being taught in teaching block 2 instead of teaching block 1 and teaching activities occurring in smaller group sizes.
Supervised counselling placement
On this DipHE in Humanistic Gestalt Counselling, you'll complete 100 hours on a supervised counselling placement. You'll enter into a written contract with the placement provider and Eastleigh College. Assessment of your practical skills as a counsellor will be by case study and portfolio.
Recent students have taken placements at CRUSE Bereavement Care, Portsmouth Abuse and Rape Counselling (PARCS), Yellow Door (counselling for sexual and domestic abuse victims) and other counselling services.
We'll help you secure a work placement that fits your aspirations. You'll get mentoring and support throughout, including regular supervision and skills clinics every other week.
How you're assessed
On this counselling diploma, you'll be assessed through:
- essays
- live skills assessments (role play scenarios)
- individual and group presentations
- portfolios of evidence
- case studies
- personal learning journals
- professional requirements (a 'Fitness to Practice' assessment)
- supervised work-based learning
You'll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
Feedback is central to this gestalt counselling course. You'll get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future, as well as on your application for the 'Fitness to Practice' assessment. You'll also practice giving feedback during live skills assessments, where you'll receive feedback from your peers, as well as the assessment tutor.
Teaching
Work-based learning is central to this course and you'll apply your skills and knowledge in a professional environment.
You'll gain skills, knowledge and competence through a range of learning methods including:
- work-based learning
- lectures
- seminars
- Saturday workshops
- skills clinics
- personal development groups
- tutorials
- module handbooks
- a virtual learning environment (VLE)
You'll also complete a minimum of 30-hours personal therapy. You'll demonstrate your personal learning and awareness from this process in a learning journal.
Teaching staff include experienced experts who have industry experience in paid counselling roles in organisations, or who run their own private practice.
How you'll spend your time
A typical week
We recommend you spend at least 28 hours a week studying for your Humanistic Gestalt Counselling DipHE. In your first year, you'll be in timetabled teaching activities such as workshops and tutorials for 1 day a week. You'll spend about 20 hours a week on independent study such as research into areas of specific interests, maintaining your learning journal, personal therapy, and on placement. In your second year you'll spend about 12-15 hours a week on independent study and have less scheduled teaching, but this can vary.
Extra learning support
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your diploma might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get face-to-face support from teaching and support staff when you need it. These include the following people and services:
Personal tutor
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
They can help with:
- improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
Student support services team
If you require support for learning difficulties or disabilities then the student support services team at the University of Portsmouth can offer their expertise and help during your course.
Student finance team
If you have financial concerns or are looking for funding options available to you, then the University's student finance team are available to help.
Academic skills support
As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University's Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- Academic writing
- Note taking
- Time management
- Critical thinking
- Presentation skills
- Referencing
- Working in groups
- Revision, memory and exam techniques
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Library support
University library staff are available in person or by email, phone or online chat to help you make the most of the University's library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from the faculty librarian for science.
Eastleigh College also has a learning resource centre with private study areas, eBooks, online databases, journals. You can loan equipment such as iPads, DVDs and phone chargers.
Course costs
Tuition fees
February 2021 start
- UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students - £6,165 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students - £16,400 a year (subject to annual increase)
September 2021 start
- UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students - £6,165 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students - £9,250 a year (including Transition Scholarship - may be subject to annual increase)
- International students - £17,600 a year (subject to annual increase)
Tuition fees terms and conditions
Can't find the answer to your questions about this course or anything else about undergraduate life? Contact us.
