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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: 1:50
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.
Course Modules
The PGDPC programme features 13 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.
- PSY 01 Essentials of Psychology and Mental Health (Trainer: Dr. Inderbir Kaur Sandhu/Dr. Titus Foo)
- PSY 03 Developmental Psychology (Trainer: Bernice Lim)
- PSY 04 Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counselling (Trainer: LaurenceHo/Tan Ming Chin)
- PSY 07 Family and Marital Counselling (Trainer: Laurence Ho)
- PSY 08 Group Counselling (Trainer: Laurence Ho)
- GPSY 02 Applied Positive Psychology (Trainer: Jana Dawson/Matthew Koh/Deborah Thurley
- PDPSY 01 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Trainer: Sunita Rai/Richard Lim)
- PDPSY 02 Solution Focused Brief Therapy (Trainer: Laurence Ho)
- PDPSY 10 Psychotherapy Practice and Ethics in a Multicultural Context (Trainer: Gerald Boh/Tan Ming Chin)
- PDPSY 11 Risk Assessment (Trainer: Dr. Alla Demutska)
- PGDPSY 07 Research Methods in Psychology (Trainer: Dr. Inderbir Kaur Sandhu)
- PGDPSY 09 Understanding Trauma and Trauma Treatment (Trainer: Dr. Alla Demutska)
- PGDPSY 12 Advanced Counselling Techniques and Interventions
- PGDPSY 13 Whole Person Therapy and Case Formulation
Practicum in Psychotherapy and Counselling
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. Guided by supervision*, students will adeptly apply evidence-based counselling techniques, professional ethics, and knowledge, thereby delivering culturally responsive therapy sessions to a diverse clientele. The incorporation of self-reflective practices is pivotal within this module, fostering continuous professional growth and promoting a culture of excellence in practice.
The entire practicum has to be logged to ensure the learner completes the required number of hours.
Practicum hours consist of:
- 100 client contact hours
- 20 hours of individual supervision
- 30 hours of group supervision
Before embarking on the practicum, learners have to complete the following modules:
- PSY 03 Developmental Psychology
- PSY 04 Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counselling
- PDPSY 01 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or PDPSY 02 Solution Focused Brief Therapy
- PDPSY 10 Psychotherapy Practice and Ethics in a Multicultural Context
- PDPSY 11 Risk Assessment
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 support for trainees in the following ways and more:
Room Service Booking Agreement
APEX SPACE
THRIVE PSYCHOLOGY CLINIC
Practicum Sites
SAFE SPACE™
US THERAPY
*The individual supervision fee is approximately $150 per hour, varying by supervisor. For group supervision, this fee can be divided among the learners in the group.
**There is a practicum placement fee (between $1,500 to $2,000, subject to the placement site).
Practicum
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.
Before embarking on the practicum, learners have to complete the following modules:
- PSY 03 Developmental Psychology
- PSY 04 Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counselling
- PDPSY 01 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or PDPSY 02 Solution Focused Brief Therapy
- PDPSY 10 Psychotherapy Practice and Ethics in a Multicultural Context
- PDPSY 11 Risk Assessment
Find detailed information about the PGDPC Practicum and the school’s comprehensive support throughout your learning journey.
*The individual supervision fee is approximately $150 per hour, varying by supervisor. For group supervision, this fee can be divided among the learners in the group.
**There is a practicum placement fee (between $1,500 to $2,000, subject to the placement site).
Specialism
The PGDPC curriculum offers 2 specialisms for learners to enhance their expertise in. Here are more details about each specialism and their modules.
Learners are required to complete 3 modules for each specialism. Here are more details about each specialisation and their respective modules.
Wellbeing Interventions
ADDITIONAL MODULES:
- GPSY 04 Mindfulness Psychology (Trainer: Deborah Thurley)
- GPSY 05 Resilience Training for Practitioners (Trainer: Tan Su-San)
- GPSY 09 Strengths Development (Trainer: Jana Dawson/Matthew Koh)
Children And Adolescents
If you aspire to work with children, the Children and Adolescents specialism is for you. Through this specialism, learners will be gain a deeper understanding of child and adolescent psychology, and apply specialised interventions in their work with children and youth.
ADDITIONAL MODULES:
- PSY 15 Childhood and Adolescent Disorders (Trainer: Gerald Boh)
- PSY 16 Special Needs Education (Trainer: Gerald Boh)
- PSY 17 Working with Children and Adolescents (Trainer: Gerald Boh)
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, or
- Mature candidates (30 years old and above) with a Diploma and minimum 8 years working experience*
- A Bachelor’s Degree, or
- Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy and Counselling from The School of Positive Psychology, or
- Postgraduate Diploma in Psychotherapy and Psychological Interventions from The School of Positive Psychology
*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 requirement
- 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
- Grade C6 and above in GCE 'O' Level English, or
- Grade E and above in any GCE ‘A’ Level subject conducted in English, or
- IELTS 5.5, or
- TOEFL (Internet Based) 59, or
Application Requirements
- Completed application form
- Completed application statement
- 1 recent passport sized photo
- 1 photocopy of NRIC or Singapore valid pass
- Updated resume
- Educational certificates and academic transcripts
- Application fee: SGD 163.50 w/GST
Course Delivery
- Lectures and case studies discussions
- Role plays
- Practicum supervision
Course Duration
Postgraduate Diploma in Psychotherapy and Counselling
- 12 months part-time (without specialism)
- 18 months part-time (with specialism)
Course Structure
- 4 terms per year (2-3 modules per term)
Intakes
- January, April, July, October
Course Fee
Fees apply to all Singapore residents (Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and all pass holders).
| Postgraduate Diploma in Psychotherapy and Counselling | Postgraduate Diploma in Psychotherapy and Counselling (Wellbeing Interventions) | Postgraduate Diploma in Psychotherapy and Counselling (Children and Adolescents) |
|---|---|---|
| S$ 27,086.50 w/GST | S$ 32,536.50 w/GST | S$ 31,991.50 w/GST |
Note: All course fees include prevailing 9% Good and Service Tax (GST).
