Skip over main navigation
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Facebook
The Cairnmillar Institute
1800 391 393 my.CMI Coronavirus Update
  • Search
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
Clinic Appointment Donate Apply Now
  • Twitter
Menu
  • Who We Are
    • About the Cairnmillar Institute
      • About Us
      • Alumni and Fellows
      • Annual Reports
      • Directors Welcome
      • Governance
    • Contact Us
    • Facility Booking Request
    • Jobs
    • Latest
      • News
      • Events
      • Newsletter
    • Our Staff
    • Partner With Us
    • Support Us
      • Current Appeals
      • Donate
  • Clinic
    • Psychology Services
    • Appointment Fees & Rebates
    • Clinic Locations
    • Meet Our Psychologists
    • Request an Appointment
  • Higher Education
    • Postgraduate Courses
    • Explore
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • FAQs
      • How to become a Psychologist
    • Our Academic Staff
    • Apply Now
    • Current Students
  • Professional Development
    • Short Courses
    • RTO/VET Courses
    • Organisation Consulting
  • Research
    • Our Research
    • Research Groups
    • Research Projects
    • Inter-agency Research Collaboration
  • Admin
    • Log in
    • Facebook
  • Basket: (0 items)
  1. FAQs

Master of Counselling & Psychotherapy

Explore FAQ Course Guide Apply Now Professional Development

The Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy integrates the Graduate Certificate and the Graduate Diploma, offering students an opportunity to study the art and science of therapy in an integrated, highly personal and experiential way. Students in the program are provided with a philosophically aligned and cohesive program which supports their ability to relate to themselves, their clients and their work with genuine caring presence and respectful engagement.

The aim of the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy is to provide high-level training in the skills required to work effectively with a wide variety of clients. The program provides a deep immersion into the theory and practice of an integrative, humanistic, process-oriented, relational psychotherapy that incorporates contributions from the psychodynamic, cognitive and existential approaches. There is a strong experiential focus in order to provide a hands-on, practice-oriented training and learning experience. The course adheres to solid evidence-informed principles of the common factors that characterise effective counselling and psychotherapeutic work, also providing a firm grounding in the professional, ethical, and legal issues associated with counselling and psychotherapy practice. Students in the program are trained in research methods and participate in a process-oriented research case study, in order to give them a unique opportunity to contribute to learning in the field.

It is the only course of its kind to provide students with a fully supported placement experience, including sourcing placement opportunities through established industry partnerships and providing intensive in-house individual and group supervision in order to fully prepare students for the workplace.

Fully accredited by both the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy is taught exclusively by respected therapist academics practicing in the field, who work as a team to support each student’s learning.

Location: Hawthorn East  Intake: February each year
Delivery: Full Time and Part Time Fees: Fee information can be found here
Duration: 2 Years Full Time or 4 Years Part Time FEE-Help: Yes 
CRICOS Course Code: 092969C Course Code: CP091
Application Type: Domestic and International  

What does this course offer you?

  • Robust placement program – with excellent links to quality industry partner organisations. We’ll find a placement for you!
  • Group and individual practicum supervision by experienced practitioner-supervisors.
  • Risk assessment and crisis intervention skills training.
  • Graduates are eligible for registration with ACA and / or PACFA.
  • High quality teaching and learning experiences with teachers who are experienced practitioners.
  • FEE-HELP available.

 

What more does Cairnmillar offer?
We are committed to making your experience at Cairnmillar one that continues to assist you beyond your degree. We aim to provide you with skills beyond what you will gain through the units of study, including:

  • Free leadership training and peer mentoring programs.
  • Professional development opportunities for a reduced price.
  • An inspiring colloquium program.
  • Academic writing and study skills support.
  • Career advice.
  • Supportive staff who are experienced practitioners in the field.

Admission Criteria

Expand

Entrance into the Masters of Counselling and Psychotherapy requires:

  • An Australian Bachelor degree (AQF 7) in a related discipline (teaching, social work, social sciences, psychology, counselling or similar) with at least a 70% average marks.
  • Prospective students wishing to enrol into the Master course who have an Australian Bachelor degree in a non-relevant discipline are encouraged to enrol in the Graduate Diploma level to assess their suitability. They may be required to undertake The Cairnmillar Institute’s Counselling Skills Foundational and Intermediate short courses prior to the enrolment.

 

To apply:

Prospective students are required to submit an application through the Apply Now page, with certified copies of the following supporting documentation:

  • Most recent academic transcripts
  • A current curriculum vitae
  • A 500 word personal statement outlining the reasons for wanting to undertake the course
  • Proof of residency/citizenship (e.g. passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate)
  • Two references, preferably with at least one academic, using the online HODSPA reference system. A guide on how to use the system is available here.

Prospective students who are short-listed will be invited to attend an interview with members of the School Teaching Faculty. This provides the applicant with the opportunity to discuss any questions they have about the course of study.

Published: 16th July, 2019

Updated: 22nd May, 2020

Author: Lana Winzar

Related topics:
  • Master of Counselling & Psychotherapy
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Career Opportunities

Expand

Graduates may find employment in a variety of settings including community health and community services organisations, the health professions, rehabilitation providers, human resource management, child protection, family support counselling services, allied clinics and services, and private practice.

Published: 16th July, 2019

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Lana Winzar

Related topics:
  • Master of Counselling & Psychotherapy
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Course Duration and Structure

Expand

This two-year full time, or four-year part-time program, consists of 200 credit points. Students undertake a total of 16 units of study consisting of twelve coursework units, two placement units and two research relevant units.

Year One  
CAP401 Psychotherapeutic Theories and Models
CAP402 Person-Centred Counselling
CAP412 Ethics and Professional Development
CAP417 Assessment Process in Counselling and Psychotherapy
CAP404 Facilitating Therapeutic Change
CAP405 Cognitive Behavioural Therapies
CAP461 Counselling Placement
CAP414 Treatment Planning

 

Year Two  
CAP511 Interpersonal Processes in Psychotherapy
CAP561 Counselling Placement
CAP507 Key Competencies in Brief Dynamic Psychotherapy
CAP509 Relationship and Marital Therapy
CAP551 Research Methods
CAP510 Trauma Therapy
CAP505 Exploring Process Experiential Emotion Focused Therapy
CAP506 Existential Psychotherapy and the Group Process

 

For unit descriptions, please click here.

Published: 16th July, 2019

Updated: 23rd December, 2020

Author: Lana Winzar

Related topics:
  • Master of Counselling & Psychotherapy
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Graduate Learning Outcomes

Expand

Students who satisfactorily complete the course will have achieved advanced knowledge and skills in the following areas of study:

  • The ability to facilitate the therapeutic process according to established the client’s focused goals.
  • The skills to conduct risks assessment and apply crisis intervention skills and management.
  • Understanding of relational dynamics and capacity for effective human relatedness that facilitates change.
  • An awareness of the impact of the self on others and the development of relational intelligence, sensitivity, resilience and respect.
  • The ability to understand and practice within the PACFA Code of Ethics and Professional Guidelines.
  • Developed the relevant research and data analysis skills with the ability to critically review research studies.
  • Developed capacity to be self-reflective and learn from experience.
  • Acquired knowledge of applying alternative modes of working with clients, including the use of real-time internet platforms within ethical guidelines.
  • Awareness and understanding of the range of human diversity and social, cultural, economic and psychological contextual influences.
  • Understanding the impact of gender, sexual identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, class, religion, race and ethnicity on therapy.
  • Respect and acknowledgment of indigenous history and culture.
  • Acquisition of a high level of verbal and professional communication skills.

Published: 16th July, 2019

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Lana Winzar

Related topics:
  • Master of Counselling & Psychotherapy
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Professional Recognition

Expand

The course is fully accredited by both the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). 

Published: 16th July, 2019

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Lana Winzar

Related topics:
  • Master of Counselling & Psychotherapy
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Recognition of Prior Learning

Expand

Students may only be given credit for any coursework if it is from a successfully completed approved course at the appropriate Australian AQF postgraduate level.

Published: 16th July, 2019

Author: Lana Winzar

Related topics:
  • Master of Counselling & Psychotherapy
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Back to top

Showing 10 of 6

Latest

  • Considering a career change to psychology or counselling?

    Considering a career change to psychology or counselling?

    Applications are now open for our government subsidised online courses!

  • Graduate Certificate in Pre-Professional Psychology Honours (Honours or 4th year)

  • Graduate Certificate of Counselling

  • Graduate Certificate in Psychological Science (Undergraduate Major - Bridging)

Most read

  • Accessibility

  • Postgraduate Courses

    Postgraduate Courses

    We now have several pathways for people to become psychologists through our Doctorate and Masters Degrees, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates in Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy.

  • Understanding and Demystifying Neurodevelopmental Disorders

    Understanding and Demystifying Neurodevelopmental Disorders

    Presented by experts in the field, this mini conference addresses practical and applied understandings on how to navigate and work within neurodevelopmental disorders within a school and or community health settings.

  • Sample faq post

    This is summary text, it is best kept to under 100 characters and should include keywords for SEO.

  • Sample page post

    Sample page post

    This is summary text, it is best kept to under 100 characters and should include keywords for SEO.

  • Sample faq post

    This is summary text, it is best kept to under 100 characters and should include keywords for SEO.

  • Course Fees

    Course Fees

    Tuition fees are set at a rate that will ensure a high standard of teaching and to enhance the student experience while keeping the costs as affordable as possible.

  • Sample blog post

    Sample blog post

    This is summary text, it is best kept to under 100 characters and should include keywords for SEO.

  • About Us

    About Us

    Caring for the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Victorians by Providing Health Professional Education, Research and Consultancy, Targeted Community Programs, and Support to Organisations Through Leadership and Workforce Learning

  • I am a registered general or professional psychology and want to become a Clinical Psychologist?

Latest tweet

Sign up for our Newsletter

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])

Links

  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Login
  • Logout
  • Manager

Get in Touch 1800 391 393

Clinic: [email protected]
Professional Development: [email protected]
School: [email protected]
General: [email protected]
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

CRICOS Provider No. 03530E | TEQSA Provider No. PRV14003 | RTO Code. 45267

The Cairnmillar Institute acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land throughout Victoria. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and the Aboriginal Elders of other communities.