Bachelor's degree in Psychological Therapies Prospectus 2019-2024

BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN
PSYCHOLOGICAL
THERAPIES

Trainee Information
Admission 2019-2024



Contents

Welcome
Who are we?
What is it all about?
Programme Overview
Overall Knowledge
Overall Competencies
Overall Skills
Overall Abilities
Entry Requirements
Structure
Fees
Staff

Welcome to the bachelor’s

degree in Psychological

Therapies

We would like to welcome you to the
Institute of Institute of Family
Therapy Malta in collaboration with
Willingness Team. We hope that you
will have a valuable and enjoyable
time studying with us. It is always a
challenge to start something new,
we know what it means as this
course is also a new venture for us.
Feel free to contact the course
coordinators Ms. Karen Bishop and
Mr Matthew Bartolo or any of the
teaching staff for any assistance.

Who are we?

The Institute of Family Therapy Malta was set
up to provide state of the art training and
therapy. All teaching staff are professionally
trained and qualified professionals. The
Institute, though still very young, boasts
membership with the Training Institutes
Chamber of the European Family Therapy
Association and membership with the
International Family Therapy Association. It is
also listed as a registered Higher Education
Institution and its courses are all accredited
by the National Council for Further and
Higher Education.

Who are we?

Willingness was founded in 2011 with the concept
of providing holistic services with regards to
Family, Sex and Health. Willingness Team is a
multidisciplinary team composed of different
professionals with backgrounds in the
therapeutic, medical, educational or social fields
among others; mainly with a background in
psychology. Currently, Willingness offers the
following services: individual therapy, couples
therapy, family therapy, sex and relationship
therapy, psychological assessments,
psychoeducational workshops, cognitive
behavioural therapy, online counselling,
counselling for families going through illness,
gestalt psychotherapy, career guidance, life
coaching and parent coaching and consultations,
among others. In addition to clinical services,
Willingness offers other psycho-educational,
practical, and training activities.



What's it all about?

It being the first of its kind in Europe the
bachelor’s degree in Psychological
Therapies provides a sound background to
major concepts outlining psychotherapy
including history of psychotherapy, theories
of change, research in psychotherapy and
ethical practice. The nature of the course
is intended to facilitate entry to Masters
level training in any of the
psychotherapeutic modalities taught on the
course. Masters courses in Psychology
have different entry requirements specific
to their respective specialist area. It is
considered standard practice in psychology
and psychotherapy that a warrant is
obtained only after the Masters level of
training is achieved.

What's it all about?

The bachelor’s degree in Psychological
Therapies is a five-year part-time
course designed to provide students
with the necessary fundamental skills,
knowledge, and competence to practice
as assistant psychotherapists on the
front-line in the mental health field.
While this degree does not entitle its
holder to register as a psychotherapist it
definitely is a valuable requisite for
further qualifying studies in
psychotherapy. It is also an important
start for further studies in Family
Studies, Gender Studies, Management,
Nursing, Pastoral Care, Medical and
Health, Teaching and Education, and
Human Resources among others.



Programme Overview

The bachelor's degree in Psychological
Therapies consists of 5 years part time
training and includes supervised clinical
practice, theoretical seminars, research,
an understanding of psychopathology,
and personal and professional
development sessions.

Overall Knowledge

Knowledge of the history and current
trends and interest in the field of
psychotherapy

In-depth knowledge of different
models of psychotherapy

Knowledge about research and
research methods; leading students
to carry out a research project at
graduate level

Knowledge about different
professional settings and agency
contexts that utilise psychotherapy
as a treatment modality

Knowledge about self and
importance of self-care

Overall Competencies

Students will be supported to start
developing the ability to self-reflect
on personal processes and their
relevance to professional
development and clinical practice

Identify effect ways to relate to
different client populations

Be able to transfer theory into
practice

Able to conceptualise problems from
different psychological therapeutic
modalities

Overall Skills

Able to think reflectively around
course material or clinical
observations

Able to relate and contribute
meaningfully during exchanges with
professionals or clients during clinical
placements

Able to be sensitive to issues of
gender, race, culture, class, ethnicity,
sexual orientation, disability, religious
beliefs, and power

Able to use basic and fundamental
therapeutic skills

Overall Abilities

Conceptualise individual, family, and
community problems from different
psychotherapeutic perspectives

Provide basic therapeutic
intervention

Collaborate appropriately and
knowledgeably with other
professionals within the caring
professions or multidisciplinary
teams

Take account of their own personal
and professional issues and assess
their impact on the work they do

Communicate professionally and
effectively verbally and in writing
about psychotherapy and contact
with clients.



What are the entry

requirements?

Entry on this course requires an A’ level
standard of education equivalent to
Level 4 of the MQF, or equivalent.
Successful completion of this BA in
Psychological Therapies facilitates entry
into post-graduate level training in
diverse areas of studies. The part time
nature of the course is designed to
appeal to individuals who would like to
keep their current employment and
pursue their studies simultaneously.
This will also make it attractive to those
already involved in the care professions
and want to improve their career.

What are the entry

requirments?

The course coordinators may consider
admitting persons if they will have
reached the age of 23 by the beginning
of the course even if they do not have
the indicated qualifications. Under these
circumstances admission is based on
age and an assessment through an
interview and/or other form of
assessment to ascertain that they have
the adequate academic background to
be able to benefit maximally from the
course.



Structure

The bachelor's degree in
Psychological Therapies consists of a
minimum of 180 ECTS spread over 5
years. This entails a monthly
commitment of contact hours plus a
good amount of hours of home study
and assignment preparation. There
are also placements to be taken
which can be part of one’s daily work.
Mode of attendance is a weekend
block (saturday and sunday) once per
month.

This Degree is divided into 5 Modules
covering the major areas of the
profession including historical and
current theory, the different models,
research, clinical practice and
personal and professional
development.

Overview

This training programme aims to
teach psychotherapy through different
modalities to appeal to
students’ different ways of learning.
Most of the course will be didactic in
nature within an
interactive lecturing environment.
Student participation will be heavily
encouraged through eliciting
discussions, role plays and exercises
of an experiential nature. Students will
also attend a
placement/s as part of their course of
studies which will involve observation
and participation.

This training programme is spread
over five years covering the following
modules which consist of
several study units as detailed below:

Module 1: History of Psychotherapy

and Psychological Theory

This module offers students the basic
knowledge of the fundamental paradigms in
psychotherapy and psychology serving as the
basis for all subsequent learning and training.

The historical development of Psychology
and Psychotherapy.
Developmental psychology from childhood
to adulthood and old age.
Theoretical Basis of Core helping skills.
Theories of Personality
Theories of Human Communication
The role of Neuroscience in Psychology
and Psychotherapy
Constructivism and Social Constructionism
The current mental health care system in
Malta and in Europe

Module 2: Models of Psychotherapy

This module helps students develop and
maintain collaborative working alliances
with a range of mental health professionals.
It provides them with a wide spectrum of
diverse theoretical positions and
psychotherapeutic practices and equips
them with the basic skills and competences
necessary to work within a team of practice.

Psychodynamic Theory & Therapy
Behaviour Theory & Therapy
Existential & Humanistic Psychotherapy
Cognitive Approaches to Psychotherapy
Interpersonal Psychotherapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
Group Psychotherapy
Brief Solution Focused Therapy
Systems Theory & Systemic Psychotherapy
Narrative Therapy
Psychodrama & Drama Therapy
Transactional Analysis
Dialogical Approach
Structural Therapy
Strategic Therapy
Emotional Focused Therapy
Mindfulness
Gestalt Psychotherapy

Module 3: Research Methods &

Research Project

This model equips students with the
necessary knowledge and skills to critically
evaluate relevant published research and to
acquire the basic knowledge, skills and
competences that enable students to
design, conduct and report a piece of
research under the supervision of a
research supervisor.

Introduction to Research Methods
Research Methods 1 - Quantitative
Approaches & Basic Statistics
Research Methods 2 - Qualitative
Approaches
Dissertation Group



Module 4: Clinical Application

This is a practical client-contact module that
provides students with an opportunity to
apply acquired skills and competences
clinical, enhance their clinical knowledge of
the common mental health disorders and
their presentation, as well as become
acquainted with the relevant evidence-based
treatment interventions. This module offers students
the opportunity to apply the learning into practice.

Clinical Supervision Group
Placement Practicum 1 & 2 – Individuals &
Families
Self-Reflexivity and Communication
Risk Assessment and Management
Core Skills 3 & 4
Case Conceptualisation
Power, Race, Gender, Disability, Religion
and Culture
Psychological Assessment:
Work-Life Balance & Cultural Nuances:
Working with Couples
Working with Families
Working with Children
Mental Health – Adults
Mental Health - Children
Mental Health – Older Age

Module 5: Personal & Professional

Development and Ethical Practice

This module develops the students’
understanding of the principles and practice of
appropriate professional conduct in the service
provision sector and offers them an
opportunity to identify personal and
professional skills and resources as well as to
reflect on and articulate the skills developing
during the placement.

Personal & Professional Development
Groups (PPD Groups)
Personal Psychotherapy & Personal Care
Ethical Practice
Mental Health Act
Data Protection Act
Working within a Multidisciplinary Team



FAQs

What level is the course?

This course is accredited by the National Commission for
Further and Higher Education. It carries the Award of Bachelor
Degree in Psychological Therapies. This Award is issued by the
Institute of Family Therapy Malta and is a recognised Malta
Qualifications Framework (MQF) Level 6 training. The MQF
levelling is part of the European Qualification Framework (EQF)
and thus the degree is recognised across Europe. The Institute
of Family Therapy Malta is a licensed Education and training
provider (License no: 2001-TC-014) within the National Quality
Assurance Framework for Further and Higher Education.

What can I do once I finish the course?

Upon successful completion of the course the award of
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychological Therapies is issued by IFT-
Malta. This degree is an important milestone for a career in
psychotherapy and one is ready to apply for a masters in a
variety of psychotherapeutic modalities offered locally and the
EU. Psychotherapy is a regulated independent profession,
locally regulated by the Psychotherapy Profession Board, and
only a Masters degree entitles one to register as
psychotherapist. This is a degree in humanities and social
sciences thus meeting the entry criteria of various Masters
programs in related professions both locally and abroad.

One can also get employed by the various local government
and NGOs as an assistant psychotherapist or other posts
designed for a degree level of education within the mental
health and social care services.

FAQs

How can I get help paying for this course?

Course delivered by IFT-Malta are all accredited by the
National Commission for further and higher Education and
thus they benefit from national schemes issued by the
government from time to time. These include Scholarships,
and the ongoing Get Qualified Scheme run by Malta
Enterprise of which all students can benefit. The Get
Qualified Scheme is an initiative supporting the personal
development of individuals for the achievement of
qualifications and certifications required by industry. The
incentive is applicable to individuals following a course of
studies leading to a certification, diploma, degree or post-
graduate degree courses. Upon successful completion the
student will benefit from a tax credit enabling them to
recover up to 70% of the costs incurred.

Link: https://education.gov.mt/en/get-
qualified/Pages/Default.aspx

Where will the course be held?

The course is held at St. Martin’s College in
Swatar.



Staff

Course Management
Mrs Karen Bishop
Mr Matthew Bartolo

Tutors
Professionals from the Institute of
Family Therapy and Willingness Team
as well as foreign experts.

Contact
[email protected]
79291817

Fees

Year 1 €3000
Year 2 €3000
Year 3 €2000
Year 4 €2000
Year 5 €2000

The above payment covers all costs
throughout the training including
electronic library subscription, library
access, foreign visitors, and
examinations. No additional charges
will be incurred. The fee structure is
fixed for the five years duration of the
course. Instalments can be arranged.
Through this course you can benefit
from the Get Qualified Scheme by
Malta Enterprise.

Payment
Cheques addressed to IFT Malta

Bank Transfer to
MT31VALL22013000000040020054106