Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy

Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy

Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy

Acquire the insight to create trust and growth
Duration
2 Years Full Time
Master
CRICOS Code: 114474G
Australian Qualification Framework: 9
Available at
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Online
Study modes
Industry work placement
This course includes 240 hours experience in a professional placement, with 80 hours of face-to-face client counselling. This placement is linked with two clinical supervision units over two consecutive trimesters.
Entry requirements
Fees
FEE-HELP Available
Start dates

Be intrigued by the human mind

Bachelor of Psychological Science

Overview

The Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy course provides students with advanced professional knowledge, skills and expertise, from traditional and contemporary fields of counselling. Through counsellor training and supervision studies, students develop the foundations for a sustainable approach to counselling and psychotherapy practice, based on technical and theoretical integration.

Students of this course become committed thinkers applying theoretical knowledge to solve real world issues, with an appreciation for multiple perspectives, and a sense of critical consciousness and agency. Students effectively apply advanced counselling skills while conducting staged counselling sessions, case conceptualisation, trauma informed practice, and alternative modes of working with clients (such as video conferencing and telephone), to improve therapeutic effectiveness with diverse population groups in Australia, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Our Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy is accredited by PACFA, the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). Graduates who undertake ongoing professional development and clinical supervision requirements are eligible to be listed on the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP), an independent national register of qualified counsellors and psychotherapists.

This course has been accredited by the Navitas Professional Institute (NPI) under its self-accrediting authority.

Bachelor of Psychological Science

What you'll learn

Expertise in human behaviour forms the foundation of all our courses including our Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy.

EXPLORE WITH AN APPLIED FOCUS:

Counselling in Multicultural Populations
Ethical Practice
Contemporary Counselling
Mental Health and Wellbeing Practices

Course structure

This course is comprised of 16 units, which are level 600 units.

The course duration is 2 years full time or up to 6 years part time. For more information on the recommended course sequence click here.

View unit descriptions

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning is available for some units in this qualification. It is not available for the following units:

  • COUN6221 Advanced Placement and Supervision 1
  • COUN6231 Advanced Placement and Supervision 2
  • COUN5171 Ethical Decision Making*

* Applicants who can demonstrate that they have completed an equivalent unit at a postgraduate level within the last 12 months can request to have these qualifications assessed for credit.

Pathways for future study

Completion of this course enables a student to be eligible to be listed on the PACFA register at Intern, Provisional or Clinical level, depending on experience.

Placement

There are two separate yet integrated components to work placement in this course;  placement (within an agency) and clinical supervision (small group timetabled classes with an ACAP Clinical Supervisor).

In the final year of study, students attend a single placement site across 2 trimesters as part of their studies. Field Placement cannot start until 2 weeks prior to trimester starting and it needs to have finished prior to the end of the second trimester. The timeframe aligns with the 48 hours of group clinical supervision – 24 hours in the first trimester and 24 hours in the second trimester.

The expectation is that students will have begun counselling clients and bringing notes and counselling experiences to supervision by Week 5 of the first trimester of Clinical Supervision.

The allocation of 240 hours’ placement is as follows:

  • 80 hours of direct face-to-face counselling
  • 48 hours of ACAP Supervision
  • 92 hours of associated hours
A group of people engaging in a discussion at an office.
1DE6A8C1-9A51-43D0-9EF5-8D29D7C60838
I have held a lifelong passion to work as a mental health therapist, but wasn’t in a position to pursue this career until the last 10 years. I had graduated with an honours psych degree, but felt the need to develop my counselling skills which I believe are integral to the helping profession. I’m now employed in the Mood and Anxiety Disorders Unit at a private hospital – my placement experience during my course paved the way to empowering and informing my growth as a mental health therapist. Lisa, Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy
Ayshe, Bachelor of Counselling
1DE6A8C1-9A51-43D0-9EF5-8D29D7C60838
I chose to study at ACAP to fulfil my desire to really understand the process of mental wellness. Ayshe, Bachelor of Counselling

Apply or find out more

Chat to one of our ACAP Course Advisors to make sure you’re picking the right course for your goals. Think about funding options, and whether full-time or part-time study suits your commitments. We’ve also got some entry requirements and practical components to complete. Before you start studying at ACAP, check out the services and support available to students. Feel free to get in touch with us.
Apply Now
I'm applying as a

Domestic Student

I'm applying as an

International Student