Masters of Counselling Psychotherapy and Spiritual Care (MACPS)

Curriculum

Becoming a Christian counsellor is a demanding process involving many kinds and levels of learning. The PARTI program is designed to offer the necessary learning components. Our ultimate goal is the integration of these components in each student’s professional sense of self.

The core group: Through the experience of group process, students learn about the dynamics and patterns of relational interaction. They experience the power of empathic attunement and the challenge of being with another deeply without losing oneself. As they learn a therapeutic use of self, students deepen their self-awareness, which includes the capacity to work with a wide range of emotional states in themselves and others.

Theory: In each phase, theory seminars are presented on topics fundamental to relational counselling. Students participate in theory presentations and write integrative papers in response to theory they have read and discussed.

Practice counselling: Practice counselling sessions with peers are introduced in Phase 1, and practice counselling remains an important part of training in Phases 2 and 3. In a practice counselling session, a student counsellor works respectfully with a peer’s real issues, and then the student therapist receives immediate, constructive feedback from peers and faculty who have observed the session.

Supervised work with clients: Unless students have clients when they begin training (in which case they will have individual clinical supervision all along), students begin direct work with clients and regular supervision of that work early in Phase 2.

Personal counselling: To integrate personal and professional growth, students are engaged in their own personal counselling, on a weekly basis, while they are in training.

Additional Workshops: In addition to the curriculum activities students are expected to take 5 additional workshops covering Social Justice, Respectful Relationship with Clients, Anti-oppression / Anti-Racism Workshop, Jurisprudence & Ethics Workshop etc.

PHASE 1

Time: 3 hours weekly, September to April, two weekends (Friday evening to Sunday afternoon), readings and papers.

Primary focus: An introduction to Christian counselling through group experience, theory, and practice therapy, with biblically relevant scripture, to focus on God’s central law of love and grace. Experience in the intensive group process is a ground for learning the dynamics of relational patterns and responses. Theory seminars encourage dialogue with current Christian counselling concepts. Students begin practice therapy sessions in the second semester.

Content: Students are introduced to basic concepts of relational psychodynamic theory: self-psychology, intersubjectivity, self-in-relation theory, attachment theory, and feminist therapy perspectives on diversity and trauma.

Requirements:

• Attendance at weekly classes (absent from no more than three classes) and mandatory attendance at the Anti-oppression / Anti-Racism Workshop, Jurisprudence & Ethics Workshop and at two scheduled weekend intensives
• Weekly reading assignments
• Integrative papers
• Students should note that prior to beginning Phase 2 they should have a (student) membership in a professional organization or association of their choice and have contracted for professional and commercial general liability insurance through that professional organization.

Evaluation: At the end of the year students will be evaluated by their peers and faculty and will provide a self-evaluation. Progress of all students is routinely discussed at faculty meetings and decisions about whether or not students successfully complete the year are made following completion of all classes. Readiness to proceed to Phase 2 will be based on an assessment of:

• Capacity to be in relationship
• A sense of self cohesion
• Ability to engage in group process
• Comprehension of theory presentations and reading assignments
• Ability to be self-reflective, to work with the patterns of relationship within the group, and to make use of the concepts being taught in the course

PHASE 2

Time: 3 hours weekly, September to April, two weekends (Friday evening to Sunday afternoon), weekly readings, seminar and paper preparation, at least 30 hours of client work and 15 hours of supervision before commencing Phase 3.

Primary focus: Development of the counsellor’s self through integrating theory and practice; continued learning through the dynamics of group process with an emphasis on using group experience to enhance self understanding within a practical and theoretical framework, supervision of clinical work.

Content: Theory is expanded from the previous year with a focus on moving theory into practice. Increased attention is paid to empathic attunement, forming a therapeutic alliance, understanding transference and co-transference, and the use of the intersubjective field, all in preparation for work with clients. Students continue in practice therapy and begin work with clients under supervision.

Requirements:

• Attendance at weekly classes (absent from no more than three classes); and mandatory attendance at the Safety Planning Workshop and at two scheduled weekend intensives
• Weekly reading assignments and preparation for seminar presentations and discussions
• Integrative papers
• Students will begin to work with clients in October. Bi-weekly supervision is mandatory. Weekly supervision is required with 4 weekly client hours or more.
• At least 30 hours of direct work with clients is required before commencing course work for Phase 3.

Evaluation: Students will be evaluated by their peers, faculty and supervisors and will provide a self-evaluation. Progress of all students is routinely discussed at faculty meetings and decisions about whether or not students successfully complete the year are made following completion of all classes. Readiness to proceed to Phase 3 will be based on an assessment of:

• A growing capacity to be in relationship
• Comprehension of theory presentations and reading assignments
• Supervision of 30 hours of direct clinical work with clients
• Deepening self awareness and empathy as a therapist
• Increased understanding of the intersubjective dynamics of the therapy relationship

PHASE 3

Time: 3 hours weekly, September to April; two weekends (Friday evening to Sunday afternoon); preparation time for theory and case presentations; client work and at least bi-weekly supervision.

Primary focus: Further development of the student’s professional self; integration of theory and practice; continued learning through the dynamics of group process with an emphasis on using group experience to enhance self understanding within a practical and theoretical framework, supervision of clinical work.

Content: Theory content includes self psychology, intersubjectivity, relational and attachment theory, with a special emphasis on applying content to practice. Specific clinical issues will be highlighted. Students are also involved in practice therapy and in presenting their own case material.

Requirements:

• Attendance at weekly classes (absent from no more than three classes) and mandatory attendance at two scheduled weekend intensives
• Reading assignments and theory presentations
• Integrative papers
• Maintaining a practice of at least 2 clients with at least bi-weekly supervision
• Regular case presentations to the core group and one presentation to / with the student training community on the spring residential weekend.

Evaluation: Students will be evaluated by their peers, faculty and supervisors, and will provide a self-evaluation. Progress of all students is routinely discussed at faculty meetings and decisions about whether or not students successfully complete the year are made following completion of all classes. Completion of the course work will be based on an assessment of:

• Capacity to integrate theory and practice
• Ability to sustain a therapeutic alliance and to provide effective therapy
• Demonstration of a sound working knowledge and clinical ability in central aspects of counselling.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

1. Download and complete the Application Form Write a brief essay of at least 2-3 pages that describes your readiness for this program. Include relevant autobiographical information -significant life experiences that relate to your desire to become a counsellor. If you have at least 2 years of post secondary education but not an undergraduate degree please contact the registrar.
2. Include a current resume outlining your academic background and work experience.
3. Proof of academic prerequisites are required. Include proof of your highest degree and / or post secondary education details earned. An official transcript is not required. A photo / photocopy of a transcript, or a degree / diploma etc. is sufficient.
4. Email or mail us your completed application materials dated or post-marked on or before the deadline (August 31).
   We strongly recommend email.
5. E-transfer or mail the $150 application fee on or before the deadline (August 31). Send e-transfer to help@thecounsellinghouse.ca. Make cheques payable to The Counselling House (help@thecounsellinghouse.ca).
6. Download and send a Recommendation Form to two different colleagues (not your therapist or a family member) who are able to evaluate your readiness and aptitude for this program. Have them email or mail the completed reference forms directly to PARTI, dated or post-marked on or before the deadline (August 31).

We will confirm receipt of your application by email when we receive it. If you do not hear from us within a reasonable time, contact us at portsideartinstitute@thecounsellinghouse.ca.

Once we have had time to review all applications, we will contact you about whether or not you have been selected to participate in a group interview with PARTI faculty and other applicants.

If you have any questions about the application process, contact us.

Send all material via email (preferred).
or
Send all material to:
The Registrar
The Portside ART Institute
5-187 B Main St.
Port Stanley, ON
N5L 1H6

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The Portside ART Institute invites applications from professionals who have experience and current responsibilities in areas such as social work, pastoral counselling, crisis intervention, addictions counselling, marriage and family therapy, and other therapy modalities. Persons exploring career change and retraining are also encouraged to apply.

If you are applying to PARTI and have at least 2 years of post-secondary education but not an undergraduate degree, PARTI requires that you submit two additional documents. The first document outlines your learning experiences and the second is a short paper written in response to a provided reading. These additional documents will help us to establish an equivalent level of learning and competence. Contact the Registrar for more information.

In recognition of the requirements the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, PARTI asks applicants to submit a Bachelor’s level of post-secondary education or to participate in a Prior Learning Assessment process to establish an equivalent level of academic competence.

FEES

Phase 1:
$6,600 tuition

Phase 2:
$6,600 tuition + 16 prepaid supervision sessions ($150+HSTx16 =$2,712) = $9312

Phase 3:
$6,600 tuition + 20 prepaid supervision sessions ($150.00+HSTx20 =$3,392) = $9,992

The remaining 64 required hours will be paid per session at $150.00+HST ($10.854.40) payable to The Counselling House through the PARTI faculty supervisor. These fees must be paid once any pre-paid fees (16 sessions included in Phase 2 and 20 sessions included in Phase 3) have been used.

Fees for the total amounts for tuition and pre-paid supervision hours are paid in monthly instalments by e-transfer.

Fee structure is reviewed annually, and may be subject to change.

ADDITIONAL EXPENSES

Students in Phases 1-3 will pay for the room and board cost of two weekend retreats per year (range of $350 – $400 per weekend). Allow for additional expenses such as books/photocopied articles.

Membership in a professional organization and professional liability insurance are required by the beginning of second year.

Five mandatory workshops (see Curriculum page) which cost $250/workshop.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

To complete the PARTI training program, a student will have successfully completed:

• 372 hours of successful participation in Phases 1-3 including mandatory workshops and residential weekends
• 100 hours of supervision
• We also require that you work with a relational counsellor before entering phase 2.
• 350 client hours