POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN
PSYCHOTHERAPY
AND COUNSELLING
POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PSYCHOTHERAPY AND COUNSELLING OVERVIEW
The Postgraduate Diploma in Psychotherapy and Counselling (PGDPC) is designed for individuals aspiring to be mental health professionals in Singapore. This Asian interdisciplinary programme is backed by evidence-based approaches and rigorous curriculum that is benchmarked against international standards.
The programme aims to nurture learners with psychological, psychotherapeutic, and counselling theories and techniques. It aims to empower learners with professional knowledge and skills to effectively conduct therapy, with the necessary sensitivity towards cultural nuances. Learners will also be able to apply their skills in diverse settings such as personal life, relationships, family, and workplace.
In addition, learners will grasp handling past, present and future issues, how to work with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, anger, and personal growth and development. The PGDPC will also empower learners to work with common challenges such as addictions, family and marital issues.
Learners will also be taught ethics in psychotherapy practice, covering areas such as standards of practice and client confidentiality. Apart from the counselling and psychotherapy theories and techniques, learners will explore the science of positive psychology and its applications to mental health and wellbeing.
Our learners will also be mentored by trained supervisors as they work with clients in the practicum.
Teacher-Student Ratio: 1:30
CAREERS
The PGDPC is committed to educating learners on varied disciplines of psychology and psychotherapy applications, as well as promoting specialised training for learners who are keen to practice counselling/ psychotherapy professionally and independently in Singapore.
The course is also designed to specifically teach learners two types of therapy approaches that psychologists, counsellors, and psychotherapists use to conduct therapy sessions. They are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT).
COURSE MODULES
The PGDPC programme features 12 modules, designed to develop learners’ skills and competencies so that they can apply their learnings to improve the mental health and wellbeing of others. Collectively, they provide PGDPC learners a strong foundation in various aspects of psychotherapy and counselling. The modules are listed below.
FOUNDATIONAL MODULES
1. PSY 03 Developmental Psychology*
2. PSY 07 Family and Marital Counselling
3. PSY 08 Group Counselling
4. GPSY 01 Applications of Psychology
5. GPSY 02 Applied Positive Psychology
6. GPSY 03 Introduction to Counselling, Psychotherapy and Coaching*
7. GPSY 07 Psychotherapy Practice and Ethics*
8. PGDPSY 07 Research Methods in Psychology
9. PGDPSY 08 Multicultural Counselling in Singapore*
10. WSRM Wellbeing Strategies to Boost Resilience and Mental Health
CORE MODULES
1. PDPSY 01 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
2. PDPSY 02 Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
* Prerequisite for Core Modules
Please note that the modules listed may not be offered every term. Students should always refer to TSPP Student Portal for the latest module offerings.
PRACTICUM IN PSYCHOTHERAPY AND COUNSELLING
A psychotherapy and counselling practicum is a requirement of the PGDPC curriculum. This will provide learners with real world experience, giving an edge to establishing a successful practice in the future.
The practicum requires 150 hours, which may last more than one semester. Learners will be supervised during the practicum. This supervision is essential for therapy work, to provide feedback for practising therapists as well as to establish good practice in psychotherapy and navigate potential ethical dilemmas that may occur during practice.
The entire practicum will need to be logged to ensure the learner completes the required number of hours.
BREAKDOWN OF PRACTICUM HOURS:
▪ 100 client contact hours
▪ 20 hours individual supervision ▪ 30 hours of group supervision
Before participating in the practicum, learners have to complete the core modules:
• PDPSY 01 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• PDPSY 02 Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Learners will apply and practice CBT and/or SFBT approaches during the practicum. Additionally, they will learn how to draw upon resilience, positive psychology and other wellbeing techniques for self-care and for professional practice.
The school offers the following practicum sites; trainees can also source for alternate practicum sites subject to approval from the course director.
|
TSPP WELLBEING CENTRE 61 Stamford Road,#01-09 Stamford Court Singapore 178892 www.positivepsych.edu.sg |
THRIVE PSYCHOLOGY CLINIC 101 Irrawaddy Road #17-10 Royal Square Medical Centre Singapore 329565 www.thrivepsychology.com.sg |
|
COUNSELLING PERSPECTIVE 9 Raffles Place #17-25 Republic Plaza II Singapore 048619 www.counselingperspective.com/ |
SAFE SPACE |
SPECIALISM
The PGDPC curriculum boasts 2 specialisms for learners to further specialise in. Please refer to the tables below about each specialism and their modules.
Learners are required to complete 3 modules for each specialism. Those who wish to take on both specialisms may do so concurrently or at their own pace.
| WELLBEING INTERVENTIONS |
| In this specialism, learners will delve into positive psychology concepts and strategies to develop their capabilities in applying wellbeing interventions in their work. As trained positive psychology practitioners, they can help their clients increase levels of happiness, foster positive relationships, identify strengths, and build resilience.
ADDITIONAL MODULES: 1. GPSY 04 Mindfulness Psychology |
| CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS |
| If you aspire to work with children, do consider the Children and Adolescents specialism. Through this specialism, learners will be able to gain a deeper understanding of child psychology, and how they can utilise child psychology to promote wellbeing in children.
ADDITIONAL MODULES: 1. PSY 15 Childhood and Adolescent Disorders |
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- A Bachelor’s Degree, or
- Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy and Counselling from The School of Positive Psychology, or
- Professional Diploma in Psychotherapy from The School of Positive Psychology
- Mature candidates (30 years old and above) with a Diploma and minimum 8 years working experience*
*All mature candidates are to be subjected to a one-to-one interview by the course leader to determine suitability for the course
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
- Pass in GCE ‘O’ Level English Language, or
- Pass in any GCE ‘A’ Level subject conducted in English, or
- IELTS 5.5, or
- TOEFL (Internet Based) 59, or
- Pearson PTE Academic 52
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Completed application form
- Completed application statement
- 1 recent passport sized photo
- One photocopy of NRIC or Singapore valid pass
- Updated resume
- Educational certificates and academic transcripts
- Application fee: SGD 162 w/GST
COURSE DELIVERY
- Lectures and case studies discussions
- Role plays
- Practicum supervision
COURSE FEES
| Postgraduate Diploma in Psychotherapy and Counselling |
Postgraduate Diploma in Psychotherapy and Counselling (Wellbeing Interventions) |
Postgraduate Diploma in Psychotherapy and Counselling (Children and Adolescents) |
| S$21,783.60 w/GST | S$26,352.00 w/GST | S$25,833.60 w/GST |
Note: All course fees include prevailing Good and Service Tax (GST).
COURSE DURATION
Postgraduate Diploma in Psychotherapy and Counselling
- 12 months part-time
Course Structure:
- 4 terms per year (2-3 modules per term)
Intakes:
- January, April, July, October
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