We deliver the SQA Customised Award – Diploma in Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy.  This Diploma is fully validated by COSCA, recognised by BACP and is 246 credits at SCQF Level 10.

It is aimed at those who wish to progress their career as a counsellor and who have already successfully completed the COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills (SCQF Level 8) or another similar course of this level and have an undergraduate degree or other learning experiences that allow for successful study at SCQF Level 10.

The course focuses on developing skills and knowledge to allow you to work with people in many contexts.

The theoretical underpinning of the course is one that embraces the pluralistic philosophy and framework. When working pluralistically it is recognised that there is no one truth and that different things work for different people at different times. The optimum view for understanding behaviour is from the internal frame of reference of the individual (Rogers, 1951). This philosophical standpoint also ensures the counsellor will be mindful of the resources the client already has to resolve their issues.

Working with the client in this way requires the practitioner to be able to consider the diversity of ways in which each client experiences distress. From this will come an understanding of a selection of different ways of helping them thus creating a bespoke approach based on their individual needs. The counsellor working pluralistically will create their own ‘therapeutic menu’ and using their knowledge of evidenced-based tools and techniques from a variety of different theoretical orientations. The counsellor will utilise these in the therapeutic relationship to allow the client an opportunity to achieve their identified goals through co-constructed ways of working.

The diploma programme will allow you to learn key counselling skills used in pluralistic practice. You will be given the opportunity to explore a range of theoretical approaches to counselling, such as Person Centred, Experiential, Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioural Therapies. As part of your journey towards becoming a professional counsellor, you will also be required to continue to develop yourself personally and to explore and deepen your awareness of self. As part of the learning, you will also be expected to reflect on evidence-based practice and current research in the field. Throughout the training, you will be required to consider ethical and professional issues in counselling and the impact this has on self and others