1Course description
The National Institute of Applied Psychology (NIAP) offers a structured six-month practical programme introducing participants to the foundations and techniques of psychotherapy. The curriculum covers therapeutic communication, major psychotherapy approaches, case conceptualisation, treatment planning, ethical practice, risk awareness and progress monitoring.
Through demonstrations, role-play, case-based exercises and supervised skills practice, participants develop foundational knowledge and practical skills relevant to further education and supervised professional training in psychotherapy.
2Month-wise modules
Module 1
Foundations of Psychotherapy
Month 1 · 40 hours
Theory
- •Definition, scope, goals and basic principles of psychotherapy
- •Historical development of psychotherapy
- •Differences between psychotherapy, counselling, psychological assessment and psychiatric treatment
- •Relationship between thoughts, emotions, behaviour and life experiences
- •Overview of psychological models of human behaviour
- •Therapeutic alliance, empathy, acceptance and collaboration
- •Factors influencing psychological distress and recovery
- •Client-centred and culturally responsive practice
- •Professional roles, competence and limitations
- •Introduction to evidence-informed psychotherapy
Practical
- •Observe and discuss a simulated therapy session
- •Identify helpful and unhelpful therapist responses in sample dialogues
- •Practise empathy, reflection and summarising through paired exercises
- •Analyse fictional client scenarios using different psychological perspectives
- •Prepare a reflection on the qualities and responsibilities of a therapist
Module 2
Therapeutic Communication and Basic Helping Skills
Month 2 · 60 hours
Theory
- •Building rapport and establishing a therapeutic relationship
- •Active listening and attending behaviour
- •Open-ended and closed-ended questions
- •Reflection of feelings, paraphrasing and summarising
- •Empathy, validation and non-judgmental responses
- •Exploring concerns and clarifying client goals
- •Therapeutic silence and appropriate use of pauses
- •Identifying emotions and recurring themes
- •Beginning, structuring and ending a session
- •Recognising resistance, discomfort and communication barriers
- •Informed consent, confidentiality and its limits
- •Therapeutic boundaries and professional communication
Practical
- •Conduct structured listening exercises
- •Practise a simulated first-session conversation
- •Role-play responding to sadness, anxiety, anger and uncertainty
- •Practise summarising a fictional client's concerns
- •Complete a session-skills checklist and peer feedback form
- •Demonstrate appropriate session opening and closing
Module 3
Major Psychotherapy Approaches and Techniques
Month 3 · 70 hours
Theory
- •Psychodynamic approaches: unconscious processes, defence mechanisms, relational patterns and insight
- •Person-centred therapy: empathy, congruence, acceptance and client autonomy
- •Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): cognitive restructuring and behavioural techniques
- •Behaviour therapy: learning principles, exposure concepts and reinforcement
- •Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): acceptance, defusion, values and committed action
- •Mindfulness-based approaches
- •Interpersonal approaches
- •Solution-focused approaches: strengths, resources and goal-oriented questions
- •Introduction to integrative and eclectic approaches
- •Indications, limitations and evidence for different approaches
- •Cultural context and adapting communication to client needs
Practical
- •Map a fictional situation using the CBT thought–emotion–behaviour framework
- •Practise person-centred reflective responses
- •Demonstrate a basic thought-record exercise using a simulated case
- •Practise solution-focused questions and goal setting
- •Compare two approaches for the same fictional case
- •Prepare a brief rationale for selecting an approach
Module 4
Case History, Case Conceptualisation and Treatment Planning
Month 4 · 70 hours
Theory
- •Purpose and structure of an initial clinical interview
- •Presenting concerns, history and contextual factors
- •Personal, family, developmental and psychosocial history
- •Strengths, coping strategies and protective factors
- •Predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating and protective factors (4Ps)
- •Case conceptualisation using CBT and other frameworks
- •Collaborative goal setting and prioritising client needs
- •Developing a preliminary treatment plan
- •Session planning and documenting progress
- •Monitoring change and reviewing goals
- •Recognising when consultation, referral or a different level of care is needed
- •Distinguishing psychological formulation from formal diagnosis
Practical
- •Prepare a structured intake form for training use
- •Write a case history from a fictional case vignette
- •Develop a 4Ps formulation
- •Create a sample treatment plan with measurable goals
- •Prepare a simulated session note
- •Present a case formulation for supervisor feedback
Module 5
Applied Psychotherapy Skills, Ethics and Risk Awareness
Month 5 · 80 hours
Theory
- •Structuring sessions and reviewing progress
- •Applying CBT-informed and person-centred strategies in simulated cases
- •Emotional regulation, coping skills and problem-solving
- •Psychoeducation and collaborative goal review
- •Common presenting concerns through case-based learning
- •Trauma-informed principles and avoiding re-traumatisation
- •Cultural sensitivity and individual differences
- •Confidentiality, consent, documentation and record security
- •Dual relationships, boundaries and professional conduct
- •Recognising self-harm, suicide risk and other urgent safety concerns
- •Responding to disclosures of abuse or immediate danger
- •Referral, consultation, crisis escalation and continuity of care
- •Therapist self-awareness and preventing burnout
- •Introduction to outcome measures and progress monitoring
Practical
- •Conduct a simulated session with a fictional client
- •Practise collaborative coping and problem-solving exercises
- •Review sample session notes for clarity and confidentiality
- •Analyse fictional ethical dilemmas
- •Respond calmly to a simulated risk disclosure and seek supervisor assistance
- •Referral decision exercise using supplied scenarios
- •Review a sample progress-monitoring chart
Module 6
Supervised Practicum and Final Evaluation
Month 6 · 80 hours
Theory
- •Reviewing ethical and professional responsibilities
- •Selecting appropriate techniques for simulated cases
- •Integrating therapeutic communication and case formulation
- •Session plans and documenting simulated progress
- •Reflective practice and responding to supervisor feedback
- •Referral and multidisciplinary collaboration
- •Evaluating intervention progress and limitations
- •Preparing a professional case presentation and final report
Practical
- •Structured role-play sessions using fictional cases
- •Observe demonstrations by a qualified supervisor
- •Case discussions and supervision meetings
- •Maintain a weekly practicum logbook
- •Prepare a case formulation and proposed treatment plan
- •Submit a reflective report on learning
- •Present the final case-based project and complete a viva voce
3Learning outcomes
By the end of the programme, participants should be able to:
- Describe the foundations and major approaches of psychotherapy.
- Demonstrate basic therapeutic listening, empathy and communication skills.
- Explain the principles of CBT, person-centred therapy and other introductory approaches.
- Prepare a structured case history from a fictional training scenario.
- Develop a preliminary case formulation and goal-oriented treatment plan.
- Demonstrate selected therapeutic techniques in supervised simulations.
- Maintain appropriate session documentation and reflective records.
- Recognise situations requiring supervisor consultation, referral or urgent escalation.
- Explain ethical responsibilities, confidentiality and professional boundaries.
- Identify personal learning needs and areas requiring further supervised training.
4Training hours
| Foundations of psychotherapy | 40 hrs |
| Therapeutic communication | 60 hrs |
| Psychotherapy approaches | 70 hrs |
| Case conceptualisation and treatment planning | 70 hrs |
| Applied skills, ethics and risk awareness | 80 hrs |
| Supervised practicum and final evaluation | 80 hrs |
| Total (6 months) | 400 hrs |
5Assessment
| Attendance and professional conduct | 10% |
| Written assignments and theoretical knowledge | 15% |
| Therapeutic communication role-play | 15% |
| Psychotherapy techniques demonstration | 15% |
| Case formulation and treatment plan | 15% |
| Final practicum project and report | 20% |
| Viva voce and reflective journal | 10% |
| Total | 100% |
Ethical conduct and client safety are essential requirements, not just academic marks.
6Records and assignments
- Attendance and training-hours record
- Weekly learning and activity logbook
- Therapeutic communication skills checklist
- Role-play observation and feedback forms
- Psychotherapy approaches assignment
- Fictional case history and formulation
- Proposed treatment plan and session notes
- Ethical decision-making and referral exercises
- Supervisor feedback and supervision records
- Final project report, presentation and reflective journal
7Eligibility and supervision
- Eligibility:
- Psychology students, postgraduate students and graduates in psychology or related disciplines, subject to NIAP's admission and supervision policy.
- Certificate:
- Certificate of Completion – Psychotherapy Practical Program, showing duration, training hours and completion status. It is not a licence or professional registration.
- Supervision:
- Practical sessions are supervised by appropriately qualified and experienced professionals.
- Training method:
- Initial practice uses role-play, demonstrations and fictional cases; any real-client exposure is separately authorised and supervised.
- Client protection:
- Informed consent, confidentiality and secure record-keeping are maintained; risk situations are escalated to the supervisor.
- Boundaries:
- Trainees do not independently diagnose, treat high-risk cases or present themselves as qualified psychotherapists on the basis of this programme alone.