MSc Supervision and Consultation: Psychotherapeutic and Organisational Approaches

Entry standards

A relevant professional qualifications including medicine, nursing, teaching, social work, human resources, psychotherapy, psychology, and counselling.

English language requirements

Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).

Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.

MSc Supervision and Consultation: Psychotherapeutic and Organisational Approaches - structure and modules

Module Titles

Taught Modules

• Models of Learning, Supervision and Consultation
• Frameworks of Supervision and Consultation
• Supervision of Supervision
• Research Methods in Supervision and Consultation
• Integrative Practice
• Working with Organisations and their Contexts

Supervision and Consultation Practice Module

There are four options: Cognitive Behavioural Approaches; Integrative Approaches; Systemic Approaches (open to registered systemic psychotherapists only); Psychodynamic Approaches (open to registered psychotherapists/counsellors only).

The programme is available for study at PG Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc levels.

Compulsory Modules  

• Models of Learning, Supervision and Consultation 
• Frameworks of Supervision and Consultation 
• Supervision of Supervision 
• Research Methods in Supervision and Consultation 
• Integrative Practice 
• Working with Organisations and their Contexts 

Modules can also be purchased separately for continuing professional development requirements. The Supervision of Supervision module is normally taken in conjunction with the Frameworks of Supervision and Consultation Practice module. 

The Postgraduate Diploma is obtained by successful completion of all the above modules. Those taking the Postgraduate Certificate are exempt from the Research Methods in Supervision and Consultation module, and the Working with Organisations and their Contexts module, but are required to successfully complete all other modules. 

Module Overview 

Models of Learning, Supervision and Consultation 

This module begins by introducing you to theories of adult learning as a basis for understanding and contextualising the process of supervision and consultation. The remainder of the module focuses on the different types of models that have been developed to explain how supervision and consultation work. 

Frameworks of Supervision and Consultation 

This module introduces you to some of the practical aspects of setting up supervision and consultation arrangements. The module focuses on supervisory styles and relationships, developing a supervisory/consultation contract and issues concerning evaluating and giving feedback in supervision and consultation. 

Supervision of Supervision 

This module spans the entire first year of training in Supervision and Consultation: Psychotherapeutic and Organisational Approaches. It will particularly focus on developing skills and competencies through the supervision of trainees, supervisory and consultation practice. The module is designed to promote reflexivity in the context of supervision and consultation, and to help supervision/ consultation trainees consider the relationship between the personal and the professional. 

Research Methods in Supervision and Consultation 

This module will provide trainee supervisors/ consultants with an understanding of the philosophy underlying psychological research in general and the requirements of research in supervision specifically. 

Integrative Practice 

This module aims to address the ways in which supervisors and consultants integrate theory and technique, when working across diverse settings, with diverse needs and with specific issues. 

Working with Organisations and their Contexts 

This module offers an integrative overview of the major theories of organisational development, structure and process relevant to supervision, consultation and practice in public sector agencies. 

Supervision and Consultation Practice 

Choose one from the following pathways: 

• Cognitive Behavioural Approaches to Supervision and Consultation
  This module is suitable for qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) practitioners. It aims to support the development of the skills and competencies needed when supervising cognitive behavioural practice and consulting to others using a cognitive-behavioural approach. 

• Integrative Approaches to Supervision and Consultation
  This module aims to support the development of the skills and competencies needed when supervising integrative practice and consulting to others using an integrative approach. This pathway is suitable for most professionals involved in supervising and consulting to others. 
• Systemic Approaches to Supervision and Consultation
  This module aims to support the development of the skills and competencies needed when supervising systemic practice, and consulting to others using a systemic approach. It is suitable for systemic psychotherapists only. 
• Psychodynamic Approaches to Supervision and Consultation
  This module is open to psychoanalytic psychotherapists and psychodynamic counsellors. It aims to support the development of the skills and competencies needed when supervising psychodynamic practice and consulting to others using a psychodynamic approach.

Subject information

Programme Information 

The programme has been designed to be flexible and responsive to the needs of professionals, linking theory with practice in a way that is relevant and sensitive to their varied work contexts. A major strength of the programme is the mix of professional backgrounds of trainee supervisors and consultants, which stimulates discussion across disciplines and so helps to contribute to a more varied understanding of the applicability of theoretical models to different contexts.

MSc Supervision and Consultation: Psychotherapeutic and Organisational Approaches - entry standards

Entry standards

A relevant professional qualifications including medicine, nursing, teaching, social work, human resources, psychotherapy, psychology, and counselling.

English language requirements

Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).

Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.

Planned intake

10–16 per year

Start date

September

Programme director

• Dr Paul Tibbles

MSc Supervision and Consultation: Psychotherapeutic and Organisational Approaches - fees and funding

Fees

Supervision & Consultation: Psychotherapeutic & Organisational Approaches (part time):

UK/EU - £3,200 
Overseas - £7,415

Supervision & Consultation: Psychotherapeutic & Organisational Approaches PGDip:

UK/EU - £3,465 
Overseas - £9,890

Supervision & Consultation: Psychotherapeutic & Organisational Approaches PGCert:

UK/EU - £1,735 
Overseas - £4,945

www.surrey.ac.uk/pgfees/2012

MSc Supervision and Consultation: Psychotherapeutic and Organisational Approaches - professional context

Professional recognition

Accredited by the Association for Family Therapy

Careers

On completion, high-level supervisory and consultation skills will have developed within the workplace. The course has been accredited by the Association for Family Therapy, so those satisfactorily completing the first year of the systemic pathway are eligible to apply to become systemic supervisors. 

The psychodynamic pathway satisfies the academic requirements for registration with the British Association of Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Supervision, and the cognitive-behavioural pathway satisfies eligibility to register as a supervisor with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies.

MSc Supervision and Consultation: Psychotherapeutic and Organisational Approaches - teaching

Teaching hours

There are a total of 187 teaching hours conducted over two years. In Year 1 there are 137 hours and 50 hours in Year 2.
Personal study time should be roughly twice that of direct teaching time. A minimum of 80 hours of supervision practice should be conducted in Year 1.

Teaching

The programme is based within the Department of Psychology with lecturers who are practitioners in non-academic settings qualified to use a range of different psychological and psychotherapeutic models. This means that the programme offers advanced training in supervision and consultation using cognitive-behavioural, integrative, psychodynamic and systemic approaches. 

A variety of teaching methods will be used, including experiential/self-reflective exercises, use of video/audio recordings, as well as formal lectures and seminars.

Staff perspective

Dr Paul Tibbles

It offers a unique opportunity for practitioners from different professional backgrounds to learn from each other as well as from lecturers. If you are considering undertaking this programme you will already have an established career, but be in the position of wanting to enhance your existing practice. 

This programme specifically provides you with additional skills and a broader knowledge base to further your development as a supervisor, consultant and trainer.

As far as possible the programme attempts to take a collaborative approach between staff and trainees, and as part of that philosophy I hope that you will make me aware of any way that we can further support your development whilst training with us.

During your training you will need to manage the complexities of the interfaces between theory, evidence and professional practice. As Programme Director and an active participant in the training programme, I will be available to support you in the process of negotiating and integrating these in relation to your own unique circumstances, whilst encouraging you to develop a greater confidence in your capacity to supervise, consult and train others.

On completion of the programme, you will have high-level supervisory and consulting skills, and I would expect these skills to contribute to career advancement in your existing organisation, as well as open up new employment prospects.

MSc Supervision and Consultation: Psychotherapeutic and Organisational Approaches - learning

Our Facilities 

The Department of Psychology is a hub of energy, information and support. You will have access to the following facilities:

Computing 

Two computing rooms, one dedicated to MSc students

Test library 

300+ psychometric tests available as well as five years of dissertations and theses from all programmes

Video and audio editing 

Image and audio manipulation; interview and telephone recording; transcription equipment. 

Seminar and classrooms 

Three fully equipped rooms for presentations and an observation suite (video and audio recording)

Dissertation and Projects

Research Dissertation in Supervision and Consultation 

To obtain the Masters degree you will complete all the compulsory modules and conduct and write up a research project on supervision and/or consultation. You will be expected to take a critical and reflective stance in relation to the theory and practice of supervision and consultation, including evaluating the contribution of previously published research evidence.

MSc Supervision and Consultation: Psychotherapeutic and Organisational Approaches - graduate profile

Student Profile: Janet Fernando

MSc Supervision and Consultation: Psychotherapeutic and Organisational Approaches

Surrey offers an innovative programme that offers an opportunity to formalise supervision skills as well as engage in research. Importantly, it provides an opportunity for psychological therapists from different therapeutic traditions to study together in an atmosphere that fosters genuine curiosity and respect.

I highly recommend the programme to all psychological therapists but especially those who are keen to engage in lively discussion with psychological therapists from a range of therapeutic traditions. This to me is one of the most enjoyable and challenging aspects of the programme and provides an invaluable learning experience that can be taken back to the workplace, in my case a specialist mental health service for deaf adults. Something I particularly value is being taught by researchers in the forefront of supervision research. Whenever possible, the course is tailored to meet individual needs.

The course has developed my supervision and consultation skills, as well as my knowledge of other therapeutic traditions. It has also extended my clinical skills in that it has given me new ways of thinking about case formulation and supervisory work. Importantly it has taught me research skills that my former training placed less emphasis on. It has also taught me how to be a more reflective practitioner and critique my own work and discipline.

Returning to academic work after many years was a daunting prospect but the relaxed atmosphere at Surrey helped the settling-in process, and it was good to find that Surrey actively encourages mature adult learners

MSc Supervision and Consultation: Psychotherapeutic and Organisational Approaches - more

Supervision and Consultation Practice 

It is essential that during the training, you are in a position to provide ongoing supervision and consultation within your workplace. You will also need to be able to present that practice within different teaching contexts on the programme and receive advice and feedback on your practice from other trainees and staff. 

One of the four pathways listed below is followed in conjunction with the Supervision of Supervision module. 

• Cognitive Behavioural Approaches to Supervision and Consultation 
• Integrative Approaches to Supervision and Consultation 
• Systemic Approaches to Supervision and Consultation 
• Psychodynamic Approaches to Supervision and Consultation 

Your practice during the Supervision and Consultation Practice module will be overseen via feedback forms, small group consultation, audio/ video review and live observation.

Applicant Profiles 

There are three pathways to entry on the programme: 

• A professionally qualified psychologist registered with the Health Professions Council 
• A qualified psychotherapist or counsellor (psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, systemic, integrative) eligible to be registered with the UKCP, BPC, BABCP or BACP
• Qualification in a relevant profession with some knowledge of psychology at an undergraduate/ postgraduate level (teaching, medicine, nursing, human resources, social work, occupational therapy) 

All candidates should have experience of providing supervision and consultation or, as part of their employment, are required to supervise and consult to others.

Psychology at Surrey 

The Department of Psychology at the University of Surrey is one of the most active and highly regarded psychology departments in the country. We specialise in applied and policy-oriented teaching and research within a strong theoretical context. The international, interdisciplinary, policy and applied strengths of the Department mean that students’ theoretical and methodological research puts them at the cutting edge of the discipline. 

We are one of the highest ranked departments in the country for graduates entering employment, and also one of the largest providers of postgraduate training in the UK. 

The University of Surrey Department of Psychology has been the centre for many cross-national studies and has attracted funding from research councils and local and national government departments, such as ESF, Defra, the MoD, the Home Office, the Environment Agency, the Countryside Agency, Surrey County Council and the EU. 

If you choose to study psychology at the University of Surrey, you will be provided with a combination of opportunities that would be hard to match elsewhere. We offer you a degree that provides a thorough grounding in the theories, methods and practice of contemporary psychology. 

Our programmes lay particular emphasis on the application of psychology to real-world problems, and also consider issues related to professional practice in preparation for your career as a professional psychologist. The basis of good postgraduate courses is the research activity of staff, the incorporation of current research programmes in teaching material and a reciprocal relationship between theory development and applied research in everyday contemporary issues. We believe in involving all postgraduate students in the research life of the Department through active participation in one of the research groups, by attendance at research seminars and, where possible, an attachment to ongoing research projects. As a student of the Department of Psychology, you will also have access to a number of conferences, seminars and workshops hosted throughout the year.

MSc Supervision and Consultation: Psychotherapeutic and Organisational Approaches - apply

• MSc Supervision and Consultation: Psychotherapeutic and Organisational Approaches - Part-time - starting September 2012
• PG Cert Supervision and Consultation: Psychotherapeutic and Organisational Approaches - Part-time - starting September 2012
• PG Dip Supervision and Consultation: Psychotherapeutic and Organisational Approaches - Part-time - starting September 2012