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Bachelor's Degree in Psychological Therapies Prospectus 2019 - 2024

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Published by laura.barry255, 2019-10-17 12:56:11

Bachelor's Degree in Psychological Therapies Prospectus 2019 - 2024

Bachelor's Degree in Psychological Therapies Prospectus 2019 - 2024

Keywords: Prospectus

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

Contact
[email protected]
79291817

Course Management
Mrs Karen Bishop
Mr Matthew Bartolo

Tutors
The tutors for the first year of the
bachelor's degree in psychological
therapies are:

Tutors

Dr. Charlie Azzopardi

Dr. Charlie Azzopardi is a
Systemic Practitioner with more
than 30 years of experience
working in the field of mental health. While he
spent a substantial number of years working
with addictions he was also involved in
individual, couple, and family psychotherapy,
parenting training, childhood and adolescent
problems, as well as consulting family-run
businesses. Dr. Azzopardi is now engaged in
private practice and teaching locally and in the
UK. His interest remains that of helping
individuals, couples, families and
organisations thrive amidst the various
difficulties that inevitably befall them.

Tutors

Ms. Karen Bishop

Karen Bishop is a Systemic Family Therapist
and Systemic Supervisor. She obtained her
Master’s Degree in Family Therapy at the
Tavistock Clinic in London. Karen has worked
in various local services dealing with diverse
family issues, and now runs her own private
practice. She also works within a multi-
disciplinary team dealing with children in out-
of-home care and their families. Karen in Co-
Director of the Institute of Family Therapy –
Malta (IFT-Malta). IFT-Malta is a privately run
institute at the forefront of training in
Psychotherapy. Karen in involved in course
design and coordination as well as teaching
and clinical supervision.

Tutors

Mr. Matthew Bartolo

Matthew Bartolo is a counsellor
specialising in Sex and Relationships.
He is the founder of Willingness Malta, a
multi-disciplinary team working together to
offer professional services related to
family; sex; and health. His background is
in psychology (B. Psy(Hons) University of
Malta), counselling (Post Grad. Adv. Dip.
in Humanistic & Integrative Counseling)
CPPD Counselling School, London) and
teaching (PGCE (PSD) University of
Malta). He is also a qualified Sex & Relationship therapist (MSc in
Sexual and Relationship therapy).Matthew has presented in
international and national conferences. He gives talks about
motivation; parenting; sex and sexuality, and more. He has taught
and delivered talks to diverse professional organisations about
the importance and way of dealing with sex and sexuality with
clients /patients. Having worked with a lot of different
organisations, he has learnt a lot about life’s challenges and
how different people cope. Matthew has worked with asylum
seekers, addicts, couples, children, LGBTIQ, and children
in homes, amongst others. These people have all taught
him a lot about life and what a difference counselling
and a positive attitude can make.He is a visiting
lecturer on diverse Master level courses in Malta and
Lithuania. His professional, yet informal way of
approaching and discussing subjects makes it easy
for listeners/viewers/professionals to discuss the
topic.

Tutors

Ms. Claire Borg

Claire Borg is a Psychotherapist who works with adolescents and
adults who are experiencing difficulties such as depression, anxiety
and other ailments relating to trauma, bereavement, strained
relationships, and burnout, among other issues. Claire graduated
with an Honours degree in Psychology from the University of
Malta. She then continued to further her studies by obtaining a
Post-Graduate Diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy and
eventually proceeded to attain a Master’s degree in Gestalt
Psychotherapy. During this time, Claire also published a
monograph about the effects of stress on physical and
mental health which was published by the Centre for
Resilience and Socio-Emotional Health. Claire’s
professional background includes working in mental
health; both in residential and community settings, in
domestic violence shelters and in generic counselling
and therapy services. She has also worked in
different educational settings where she has taught
Psychology to students preparing for their
matriculation certificate. Currently, apart from
seeing clients in therapy, Claire also gives talks,
workshops and training about mental illness,
self-care and general well-being.

Tutors

Ms. Stephanie Caruana

Stephanie is a counsellor, working with youth and
adults going through personal, emotional or
relational difficulties in life. She believes in the
importance of listening to one’s heart and
following one’s dreams and works with people
to do this in order to be able to fulfil their
potential and be happy.

Tutors

Ms. Angelle Vella

Angelle Vella is working
as a professional within the
Mental Health Government
Service. Her role mainly revolves
around carrying out therapy
with children, young people and
their family, facilitating parenting
groups, dialectical behavioural
therapy informed groups and
assessments. In her previous role
as a Support Executive within
FSWS, she was entrusted with
designing and supervising
programs followed in the day
centre, assess service users’
ability level for different
programs, assist support
workers with managing challenging clients and participate
and deliver training as requested. She is currently finishing
her Master in Systemic Family psychotherapy with the
Institute of Family Therapy Malta. This is a qualifying level
training which prepares individuals to practice Systemic
Family Psychotherapy and meets the requirements for
registration as a warranted psychotherapist with the
local Board for the Psychotherapy Profession. She has
sound knowledge in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
through training by Lisa Daves (DBT trainer and
HCPC Registered Forensic Psychologist) and
John Cordwell (DBT trainer and HCPC Registered
Psychologist). She obtained a bachelor in
psychology (honours) at the University of Malta.

Tutors

Ms. Geraldine Ellul Bonici

Ms Geraldine Ellul
Bonici is a warranted
Systemic Couples and Family
Psychotherapist. After serving
in the nursing profession for
about 10 years, she read for
an honours Bachelors’ degree
in Psychology (B.Psy Hons) at
the University of Malta. Later
she enrolled in Systemic
Couple and Family
psychotherapy training at the
Institute of Family Therapy (IFT-Malta) where she achieved a Post-
graduate Diploma and then a Masters’ degree. Ms Ellul Bonici has
been tutoring students at IFT-Malta for the past two years and
currently she also coordinates the Post-graduate Diploma at the
institute. Ms Ellul Bonici has worked in Geriatrics, Neuro-
rehabilitation, and later in the Mental Health Services (MHS) at
community level at the Outreach Services, where she visited
and supported families in their homes and in their
community. She is currently providing her services at the
Psychology Department at Mount Carmel hospital, at the
Psychiatric Outpatients Mater Dei and in the Community
Clinics. She also co-ordinates the Befriending
Programme and the Acute Response Team (ART) in
the public service, where she supports mental health
users and their families. Ms Ellul Bonici has set up
her own private practice and provides her service
at various localities. She carries out individual,
couple, family and group therapy through
Systemic practice.

Tutors

Ms. Vilhelmiina Valimaki

Vilhelmiina is a Finnish
psychologist who moved
to Malta in 2018. She is
registered as a Psychologist
with the National Supervisory
Authority for Welfare and
Health in Finland and as a
Clinical Psychologist with the
Malta Psychology Profession
Board in Malta. She is also a
registered EuroPsy
psychologist of Clinical and
Health with EFPA. She has obtained her degree of Master of Arts in
Psychology in Jyväskylä University, Finland.Before moving to Malta,
she has worked in Finland with adolescents and their families. She
has helped people suffering from stress, depression, anxiety,
panic attacks and other mental health issues. Before that she
worked in a family counselling center working with children,
families and couples. Vilhelmiina has also worked as an
independent entrepreneur focusing on sport and exercise
psychology, organizational psychology and psychological
coaching. Sport psychology is one of her special interests
and she has worked with several athletes in variety of
different sports.Her key strength as a psychologist is
promoting mental health and well-being. She has
experience in supporting clients with mental health
issues, relationship difficulties, family issues, big life
changes or any sort of worries in their lives.
Psychological coaching in sports and in work life
are also her big interests.

Tutors

Ms. Yana Gatt Hampton

Ms. Yana Gatt Hampton graduated in B.Psy (Hons.)
in 2001, and after getting a Postgraduate certificate in
Education, she spent 12 years teaching Personal and
Social Development in a government secondary
school. She is currently working at Servizz Għożża,
where she has been a guidance teacher for the
past five years. Servizz Għożża is a government
educational support service for pregnant
teenagers, young mothers and their families.
Four years ago, she started reading a
Masters in Systemic Family psychotherapy,
in which she will be graduating at the end
of this year.

Tutors

Ms. Yanica Richards Chircop

Yanica Richards Chircop is a Systemic Family
Psychotherapist and Manager of the Psychological
Support Service at Richmond Foundation. Since
graduating in Psychology from the University of
Malta in 2008, she has been working in the field of
mental health and youth work. In 2011, she
took on the leap to further her studies in Systemic
Psychotherapy at the Institute of Family
Therapy Malta. She currently works with Individuals
and Families, specialising mainly in Couple
Work and Mental Health. Yanica specialises in
Mindfulness and is currently training in EMDR,
which she uses in her psychotherapeutic work. In her
current role at Richmond Foundation,
Yanica leads the psychological service team, and
works with individuals, couples and families in
therapy. She is also a Mental Health First Aid
instructor and provides training on mental health
and systemic psychotherapy.

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


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