Inside first year – the theory behind psychotherapy training
Since my early days working in research, I’ve had a lasting passion for all the data, the studies, the methods. But for new students, we often hear how it can feel a little daunting at first. Maybe you’re thinking ‘Do I need to remember everything?’ ‘Do I need an encyclopaedic knowledge of counselling theory to work with clients? The short answer is no. But the long answer is much more interesting! I’d like to share a little about the theory modules and how we approach them.
The modules which focus on theory explore the rich and fascinating history of how counselling and psychological therapy came to be, alongside contemporary questions about how we use theory within day to day practice as a therapist. We’ll be covering key areas such as the major therapeutic traditions (psychodynamic, humanistic, and behaviourist). We'll explore concepts like the therapeutic alliance, therapeutic frame, and case formulation as well as contemporary developments in person-centred therapy, including Relational depth, Dialogical perspectives, Self-theory configurations and Focusing.
The aim is to give you a strong, supportive foundation. One that helps you build confidence in your understanding and begin translating theory into meaningful skills in practice. By exploring both the well-known and lesser-known developments in counselling and psychotherapy, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation of how the field has evolved into what it is today.
As Carl Rogers said, “The facts are friendly". And we aim for the same to be true on our course.
There’s no assumption of prior knowledge. We start from a shared foundation, and build from there. Theories are introduced in manageable, digestible steps, so you can engage with them at your own pace and grow in confidence as you go.
One of the most rewarding parts of the course is witnessing those “lightbulb moments,” when students begin to connect theory with their own lived experience. At first, you’re learning ideas and concepts. But then something shifts. There comes a point where you realise your perspective has changed. You’re no longer just learning about therapy –vyou’re becoming a therapist.