Animal Assisted Counselling and Psychotherapy

Entry requirements

Academic

Months of entry

September

Course content

This postgraduate course has been designed for those already qualified as Psychologists and Counsellors to develop their understanding and expertise in utilising Animal Assisted Services (AAS) within their practice.

Add to your existing skills as qualified mental health practitioners with in-depth theoretical knowledge and understanding of core competencies and best practices in Animal Assisted Services (AAS) alongside key practical application, to achieve fitness to practice.

Develop skills in critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation, and apply these to a range of topics in animal assisted counselling, allowing you to navigate the complex interface between practice, ethics, legality, and research incorporated within a One Health, One Welfare approach.

You'll apply critical skills to solve complex problems, develop ideas and evaluate current practices of working with animals within human mental healthcare, and the vital role they share in influencing and optimising the professionalism and best practices within the industry. Most importantly, you'll develop theoretical knowledge, alongside observational, assessment, and practical skills to provide animals with lifelong care and training, to protect the welfare of animals included in AAS.

Enact positive changes in AAS to ensure humans benefit, animal welfare is not compromised, and recognising when including animals or clients within sessions may be inappropriate or require amendment.

Modules

• Companion & Working Animal Regulations
• Animal Training, Behaviour, and Assessment
• Animal Assisted Counselling and Psychotherapy in Practice
• Integrating the Human-Animal Environment in Counselling
• The Research Process
• Postgraduate Dissertation

Information for international students

In addition to the academic qualification an IELTS 6.5 or equivalent is required.

Fees and funding

Please visit our student finance page for information on tuition fees and student loans, as well as non-repayable grants, bursaries and scholarships, eligible to different groups, to support with study costs