Licenciate in Child & Adolescent Counseling & Therapy (Online)

Counseling is usually focused on a specific issue for a limited amount of time while therapy helps a client understand himself/herself and his/her patterns of thought, feelings, and behaviors. Counseling and therapy are often used interchangeably, but there are some key difference between them. 

Counseling involves working with a mental health counselor or clinical mental health counselor on a specific issue for a limited amount of time. For example, counseling can help a client if s/he has difficulty managing stress and want guidance on tools s/he can use when being stressed out. Usually, counseling focuses on a specific issue for a limited amount of time. In this program, trainees will be introduced to Gerard Egan’s Skilled Helper model. 

Therapy can be more long-term and focuses on a client as an individual – how a client sees himself/herself and the world, his/her thoughts, and his/her behaviors, as well as the underlying patterns of why the client does the things s/he does. For example, if a client was suffering from depression, s/he and his/her mental health therapist can explore how depression impacts his/her everyday life and how to develop better coping strategies so that the client can feel better. The client usually goes to therapy sessions on a more long-term basis. There are many types of therapies which include mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, rational emotive behavioral therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, etc.

In this 10 modules of 30 hours each covering the entire diploma program, learners will be taught both child and adolescent counselling and therapy. Every learner has to cover all the 10 modules without any exemptions. This program constitutes the foundation of child and adolescent counselling and therapy.

This 1-year Licentiate Program provides learners without prior knowledge to embark a career as a child and adolescent counselor. The program represents practical knowledge, skills, capabilities and competencies. The Licentiate Program is accredited by the International Association of Therapists and conferred by Merlion AcademyGraduates could gain module exemptions of the Practising License Programs with the renowned professional body International Association of Counselors and Therapists (IACT) based in the United States of America (USA). 

IACT is a prestigious professional body that admits any member who have fulfilled the rigorous Practising License Programs and requirements to obtain practising membership as a counselor and therapist. Membership with IACT is a mark of high standard and excellence. Practising members are not only knowledgeable, skilled but are also highly respected as well. 

The modules of the Licentiate Program are:

  • Module 1: The Counseling Role & the Role of a Counselor
  • Module 2: Counseling Skills & Benefits
  • Module 3: Practice & Exploration in Counseling
  • Module 4: Training to a Professional Level
  • Module 5: Egan’s Skilled Helper Model in Counseling
  • Module 6: Psychodynamic Approach to Counseling
  • Module 7: Person-Centered Approach to Counseling
  • Module 8: Cognitive Approach to Counseling
  • Module 9: Issue Management in Counseling & Therapy
  • Module 10: Case Studies in Child & Adolescent Counseling

Assessment:

  • Assessment is based on coursework, assignments and essays with no formal examinations
  • Guided learning hours to fulfill: 300 hours
  • Credits to attain: 75 credits

Entry Requirements:

Age

21 years and above

Minimum qualification

Diploma graduate in any discipline

English requirement

1.  Pearson Test of English (PTE) 51; or
2.  IELTS 5.5 (reading and writing must be at 5.5); or
3.  TOEFL 59
5.  Equivalent (such as Pearson Versant English Test). 

Course Fees:

(Non-refundable one-time application fee of SGD 95.00 is payable upon application)

Program fee

SGD 7,500.00 

Marking fee

SGD 1,000.00 

Payment mode

Stripe / Credit card / Alipay

Refund Terms

90% – more than 28 days before course commencement

50% – less than 28 days before course commencement

10% – less than 3 days before course commencement

  0% – more than 3 days after the course commencement