Psychotherapy Studies

The MSc in Psychotherapy Studies is a unique, online programme designed to provide in-depth theoretical knowledge about the practice of psychotherapy. This course is based on an existential approach which is first and foremost philosophical. It is concerned with the understanding of people’s position in the world and with the clarification of what it means to be alive. Existential psychotherapists are committed to exploring issues of truth and meaning with a receptive attitude, rather than a dogmatic one. As such, this programme explores psychotherapy and counselling widely and deeply, by considering the research evidence in related fields of psychology, philosophy, anthropology, sociology, and medical science.

Professor Digby Tantam and Professor Emmy van Deurzen created the programme alongside other colleagues at NSPC in 2003 and new units have been added and old units revised continuously since then. The programme has been taught in 13 Universities, in 11 different European countries, and 10 training institutes with the teachers being taught and supervised by NSPC staff. 600 students have been enrolled so far, from 38 countries around the world.

The programme is wholly online and so no travel is required. Material is presented on our virtual learning environment based on the latest version of Moodle, the most widely used content management system for education in the world. There has been substantial research on the impact of the programme, and on students’ satisfaction with it that have shown that even students who have little previous experience of using the internet have been able to make use of the online materials, particularly as they are backed up by intensive online tutoring. Students have been more satisfied with the programme than with comparable face to face programmes.