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104 weeks
On Campus; Blended Study (Online and Face-to-Face Study). Online delivery involves live online sessions and compulsory on-campus intensives (18-hour face-to-face sessions over three consecutive days, Friday–Sunday) at Melbourne or Sydney campus for three subjects.
Full Time or Part Time Equivalent; On Campus or Blended (Online and Face-to-Face) · A typical full-time load is 8 subjects per year across 3 trimesters. Students should allow a notional 12 hours per week for each subject studied, plus approximately 26 hours per week for self-directed study.
February | May | September
Course Overview
Where You Can Study
Adelaide
Level 3, 127 Rundle Mall, Adelaide, SA 5000
Eligibility
Career & Study Pathways
Quality & Recognition
Academic Regulator
TEQSA
Professional Body
Australian Counselling Association (ACA) / PACFA
Accreditation Status
AccreditedSkills Assessor
ACA / PACFA
Course Content
Models of Therapeutic Practice
Examines the major paradigms in counselling and psychotherapy, and their theories of therapeutic change. Students study models from psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive-behavioural, constructivist postmodern and transpersonal approaches.
Foundations of Therapeutic Practice
Develops skills needed to build a strong therapeutic relationship with clients, apply self-reflective and client-centred practice, and use advanced counselling skills to facilitate change.
Ethics, Diversity & Practice
Fosters awareness and understanding of ethical issues fundamental to ethical and culturally sensitive counselling practice, including legislation and codes of conduct within the Australian professional landscape.
Human Development
Offers an advanced exploration of human development across the lifespan, examining biological, familial, psychosocial, and environmental factors that shape optimal human functioning.
Understanding Mental Health
Explores the complexities of mental health and wellbeing, examining core concepts, different theoretical perspectives, assessment processes, diagnostic systems, and evidence-based treatments.
Emotion, Affect and Self in Psychotherapy
Introduces students to research and theory in the study of emotion, affectivity, and the development of self, including emotion regulation and psychopathologies in emotional development.
Unravelling the Concept of Mind
An interdisciplinary exploration of the intricate concept of the mind, connecting perspectives from philosophy, cognitive science, phenomenology, neuroscience, and psychotherapy.
Process Experiential Psychotherapy
Introduces an advanced approach to therapy focusing on a person's inner experiences, thoughts, and emotions, including experiential tools such as multiple chairs and imagery.
Neuroscience of Psychotherapy
Explores how the structure, function and process of the brain can support counsellors and psychotherapists in clinical practice, including neuroanatomy, brain development, memory systems, and trauma impacts.
Navigating Healing in Complex Trauma
Offers an exploration of trauma theory and its practical application for treating complex trauma, incorporating techniques such as polyvagal-informed strategies, structural dissociation model, and mentalisation.
From Assessment to Treatment Design
Covers assessment techniques, case conceptualisation, and creation of comprehensive treatment plans tailored to address the unique needs and goals of clients.
Conversational Model of Psychotherapy
Introduces students to the Conversational Model of psychoanalytical psychotherapy, based on an understanding of the development of self and the intersubjective exchange between infant and primary caregiver.
Bridging Mind, Body and Healing in Trauma
Equips students with a deep understanding of psychobiological nuances and practical skills for integrating body-based interventions, grounded in somatic techniques for trauma psychotherapy.
Working with Complex Presentations
Explores therapeutic work with individuals facing complex challenges such as co-occurring conditions, addictions, resistance to therapy, and eco-anxiety, through multiple therapeutic lenses.
Bringing Research to Life
Involves students in the exploration of practitioner inquiry and research design within the fields of counselling and psychotherapy practice, culminating in a research proposal presentation.
Common Questions
Yes, the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). Graduates will be eligible for Level 2 membership with the ACA.
The course includes a 120-hour supervised placement subject. During this placement, students will manage their own client case load under expert supervision, gaining hands-on experience and honing their therapeutic skills.
Online students engage in live online sessions simulating on-campus learning, but are also required to complete three subjects — COU502 Foundations of Therapeutic Practice, COU508 Process Experiential Psychotherapy, and COU512 Conversational Model of Psychotherapy — that include weekly 1.5-hour online classes over 10 weeks and an 18-hour compulsory on-campus intensive delivered over three consecutive days (Friday–Sunday) at the Melbourne or Sydney campus. Students will attend three separate on-campus intensives in total across the duration of the program.
The indicative domestic course fee for the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy is $49,816 for the full 2-year full-time program. The course is FEE-HELP approved for eligible applicants, and students may also be eligible for Youth Allowance (student), Austudy, and the Pensioner Education Supplement. Ikon also offers financial scholarships to new domestic students commencing postgraduate courses in 2026.
A typical full-time load is 8 subjects per year across 3 trimesters. Students should allow a notional 12 hours per week for each subject studied, plus approximately 26 hours per week for self-directed study to complete prescribed readings, practice skills, research, and assessments. The maximum number of subjects under an accelerated load is 4 subjects per trimester.
Application
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