Qualifications and Approaches Explained

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Masters in Relationship Therapy

​This is a three-year course, developed by The Relate Institute and awarded by the University of Hull.  It is a post-graduate programme accredited by The British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).  On completion, practitioners are fully qualified to work with couples, families and individuals. A particular strength of the programme is the emphasis on working from an integrative perspective and studying a range of different therapeutic approaches.  A mandatory part of the course is extensive clinical practice and supervision, as well as an additional programme of continuing professional development.

 

Relate Certificate of Proficiency

The Relate Certificate of Proficiency is awarded to qualified practitioners once they have completed a core set of competencies within all areas of relationship therapy. Competency must be achieved within 200 counselling hours or within 18 months of qualifying.

 

BACP Certificate of Proficiency

The Certificate of Proficiency, awarded by The British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), is an assessment that allows members to demonstrate their awareness of the knowledge, skills and abilities required to be a professional counsellor and/or psychotherapist.

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Approaches to Therapy

 

Integrative Therapy

Integrative therapists take the view that there is no single approach that can help every person in all situations. Each person should be considered as a whole and counselling strategies tailored to their individual needs and personal circumstances. 

 

Integrative therapy maintains the idea that there are many ways in which human psychology can be explored and understood and that no one theory holds the answer. All theories are considered to have value, even if their foundational principles contradict each other, hence the need to integrate them. Some of these theories are incorporated in:

 

Systemic Therapy

The aim of Systemic therapy is to gain insight into each family member’s role as it relates to the healthy functionality of the whole family. As a theory, it can be applied to organisations, couples, communities, or families. The therapy attempts to identify specific behaviour patterns and how each member responds to stressful situations within the family dynamic. By doing this, the individual participants can begin to understand and transform their patterns of behaviour to more adaptive, productive ones.

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Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy focuses on unconscious processes as they are manifested in a person’s present behaviour and the influence of their past on present behaviour. The goals of psychodynamic therapy are a client’s self-awareness and understanding of these influences. In its brief form, a psychodynamic approach enables the client to examine unresolved conflicts and symptoms that arise from past relationships, particularly early ones.

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Narrative Therapy

Narrative therapy was created as a non-pathologising, empowering, and collaborative form of therapy that recognises that we all possess natural competencies, skills, and expertise that can help guide change in our lives. People are viewed as separate from their problems, and in this way, a therapist can help externalise sensitive issues, reduce defensive behaviour and enable issues to be addressed in a more productive manner.

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Neuropsychotherapy

Neuropsychotherapy takes into account the interplay between the mind, body, society and the environment upon well-being. By understanding the mechanisms of our biology/neurology, the processes of our psychology, and the influences of social interaction, it is believed a more holistic therapeutic practice can be formulated.

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Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is based on the concept that your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and actions are interconnected, and that negative thoughts and feelings can trap you in a vicious cycle. CBT aims to help you deal with overwhelming problems in a more positive way by breaking them down into smaller parts.  CBT deals with your current problems, rather than focusing on issues from your past. It looks for practical ways to improve your state of mind on a daily basis.