Introduction to Existential Psychotherapy & Counselling

General Description
This is a part-time 10 week course offered throughout the year. It is run from 6.00pm-8.00pm on Tuesday evenings during the Autumn and Spring Terms.

The course aims to provide the student with an overview of existential theory through examination of the various themes found in existential philosophy. The course will also show how these philosophical ideas have been translated into practice and used as an approach to therapy. Throughout the course, students will be given the opportunity to engage with the theory in a practical way and learn some basic counselling skills.

Objectives of the Course
At the end of the course students will be expected to have a basic understanding of:

• The various themes of existential philosophy, choice, freedom, responsibility, death, guilt etc.
• A basic understanding of the philosophy of Heidegger, Kierkegaard, Sartre etc.
• A basic understanding of how this philosophy can be applied to psychotherapy.
• Basic counselling skills.

Assessment
Students are required to attend at least 80% in order to qualify for the Certificate of Attendance. Students are also encouraged to actively participate in class discussion and exercises.

Students who wish to continue their studies at the New School are encouraged to apply to the psychotherapy and counselling training programmes.