BA (Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy with Addiction Studies
Course Overview
Understand the human experience of addiction and learn how to support others on their journey toward recovery with skill, care, and empathy.
This is an ICHAS course delivered at Griffith College by ICHAS.
The BA (Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy with Addiction Studies is a practice-based degree for those who want to become professional counsellors with a specialist focus on addiction.
Students explore the roots and realities of both substance and behavioural addictions. The course examines key psychological theories, therapeutic approaches, and recovery models, while also addressing broader issues such as mental health, trauma, and relapse. This degree prepares graduates to work with individuals affected by addiction in a range of settings, including rehabilitation centres, community services, and private practice.
Why Study Counselling and Addiction Studies at Griffith College?
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Students take part in supervised client work and engage in personal psychotherapeutic development, gaining essential hands-on experience that prepares them for real-world practice.
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With mentoring, personal development modules, and placement support built into the course, students are guided through both the academic and emotional aspects of addiction counselling.
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Lecturers bring extensive expertise from the fields of addiction counselling and psychotherapy.
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The programme combines online lectures with in-person workshops, allowing students to balance study with work or personal commitments.
Course Highlights:
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Specialised focus on addiction and recovery in therapeutic settings.
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Combines theory, skills training, and personal development.
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Led by professionals with real-world addiction counselling experience.
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Includes supervised placement and reflective learning.
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Flexible blended learning structure.
Intake Dates
- Limerick - Full-Time, Part-Time - September 2025
- Dublin - Part-Time - September 2025
- Limerick - Part-Time, Full-Time - September 2026
- Dublin - Part-Time - September 2026
What students say
"My experience was truly transformative. The course was professional and deeply authentic, which inspired me to pursue further studies with the college on the Certificate in Addiction Studies (Gambling). The faculty’s support helped me gain a better understanding of the complexities of addiction and how to apply therapeutic modalities in real-world settings. Working with people in addiction matters deeply to me, and this programme has given me the tools and confidence to make a real difference in my community and also in my own private practice and treatment centres."
BA (Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy with Addiction Studies
Course Details
Mentoring & placement support:
All students are required to engage in a minimum of 50 Hours of Personal Psychotherapeutic Experience (or equivalent) across the programme.
Each student will be required to undertake 200 hours of direct client work under strict Clinical Supervision arrangements.
Year 1 Modules
The aim of this module is to support students in their transition to becoming independent learners in higher education by enabling them to develop learning skills and strategies essential for success at this level.
The aim of this module is to introduce a range of theories central to counselling and psychotherapy placing them in their social, cultural, philosophical and historical contexts.
The aim of this subject is to teach students the attributes and foundation skills necessary to work and understand their role in areas of practice such as Counselling & Psychotherapy.
To provide students with the opportunity to learn the skills, knowledge and attitude to manage the range of issues that are associated with group facilitation within the counselling/psychotherapeutic fields.
The aim of this module is to is to support learners to achieve an understanding of a range of theories of human development and to consider their application in counselling and psychotherapy contexts.
The aim of this subject is to teach students the skills, knowledge and attitude to understand the role of ethics in areas of professional practice such as Counselling & Psychotherapy.
The aim of this module is to teach students the skills, knowledge and attitude to understand the theoretical basis for normal and abnormal behavioral, cognitive and emotive responses as related to areas of professional practice such as Counselling & Psychotherapy.
The aim of this module is to teach students the skills, knowledge and attitude to understand the concept and practice of Personal Development in counselling and psychotherapeutic activities. In addition, it will introduce students to the importance of knowing themselves and the appropriate use of self within the interpersonal and therapeutic process.
Year 2 Modules
The aim of this module is to is to teach students the key evidence-based practice skills and interventions necessary to facilitate understanding and provide the basis for effective work with clients across the main theoretical approaches within Counselling & Psychotherapy.
The aim of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to raise awareness of the beliefs and values of the learner’s own culture and the impact of cultural beliefs and values in practice settings. It will emphasize the importance of sharing and increasing cultural knowledge as a means of challenging ethnocentricity and inter- cultural discrimination.
The aim of this module is to introduce students to the concept of Case Formulation in areas of practice using Psychotherapeutic paradigms. Within the learning environment students will critically appraise the concept of formulation within psychotherapeutic traditions and compare the similarities and distinctions with more traditional medicalized diagnoses. Learners will focus on the theoretical distinctions between both approaches and examine the contribution of formulation to treatment planning and evaluation.
The aim of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to acquire the skills, knowledge and attitude to understand the theoretical basis for the use of Psychological & Psychometric Assessment in areas of professional practice.
The aim of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to acquire the skills, knowledge and attitude to understand Group Process in Counselling & Psychotherapy.
The aim of this module is to provide the learner with the opportunity to develop their knowledge of the theoretical underpinnings of Addiction. Learners will focus on theoretical explanations, epidemiological considerations as well as personal and familial consequences, over the period of the Module and will be required to appraise the evidence base for a range of explanatory theories.
The aim of the module is to facilitate students to explore and critically evaluate the concept of non-substance related addictions. Learners will focus on the theoretical evidence for non-substance use related disorders being categorized as addictions.
The aim of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to acquire the skills, knowledge and attitude to understand the concept and practice of Personal Development and Self Caring Practices in counselling and psychotherapeutic activities.
Year 3 Modules
The aim of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to acquire the skills, knowledge and attitude to engage with Research in Counselling & Psychotherapy.
The aim of the module is to facilitate students to acquire the knowledge necessary to comprehend the principles of the key psychosocial intervention approaches in addiction practice. Learners will be required to appraise the evidence base for a range of treatment approaches.
The aim of this module is to enable students to achieve an understanding of the manifestations of mood, stress and emotional disorders and to support students develop the attributes and skills necessary to work in the care and management of clients who present with stress, emotional and mood disturbance in areas of practice such as Counselling & Psychotherapy.
The aim of this module is to introduce students to family systems theory and its application in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice.
The aim of this subject is to provide students with an opportunity to integrate the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary for the competent practice of counselling/psychotherapy. This experiential learning is undertaken at ‘Novice’ level of practice and is workplace based.
The aim of the module is to facilitate students to explore and critically evaluate the concept of non-substance related addictions. Learners will focus on the theoretical evidence for non-substance use related disorders being categorized as addictions.
The aim of this module is to offer an experientially orientation introduction to personal psychotherapeutic experience. This module will enable learner’s develop personal insight and self-knowledge through their personal participation in psychotherapeutic processes. Students will also, through their participation as an individual and/or as a group member in such engagements, learn directly to appreciate the diversity of a client’s experience in personal therapy.
The aim of this module is to enable students to achieve an understanding an understanding of the importance of mental illness and disorder in the context of psychotherapeutic activities.
Year 4 Modules
The primary aim of the module is to provide students with an understanding of ACE Awareness and Trauma Informed Practice and examine this approach as a response to addressing the impact of early trauma, toxic stress and attachment disruption when working with individuals in addiction contexts.
The aim of this module is to is to support learners to engage with contemporary discourses relating to the latest developments in the counselling and psychotherapy fields of practice nationally and internationally.
The aim of the module is to facilitate students to acquire the knowledge necessary to identify, work with and refer clients on for appropriate treatment of biological and physiological disorders related to alcohol and other drug use. Learners will be required to appraise the evidence base for a range of explanatory theories.
The aim of this subject is to provide students with an opportunity to integrate the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary for the competent practice of counselling/psychotherapy. This experiential learning is undertaken at ‘advanced beginner’ level of practice and is workplace based using an approved supportive structure.
The aim of this module is to act as a Capstone Module which will help the student integrate the theoretical and practice-based learning achieved across the programme. It will emphasise the importance of the integration of evidence-based practice in counselling and psychotherapeutic practice.
The aim of this module is to offer an experientially orientation introduction to personal psychotherapeutic experience. This module will enable learners’ develop personal insight and self-knowledge through their personal participation in psychotherapeutic processes. Students will also, through their participation as an individual and/or as a group member in such engagements, learn directly to appreciate the diversity of a client’s experience in personal therapy.
The aim of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to understand the process of bereavement and explore issues in loss and grief.
Brief Therapy for Emotional Health & Wellness
Psychoses & Personality Disorders
Inner Child Therapy
Play Therapy & Psychotherapeutic Practice
Understanding Motivational Interviewing
Understanding Community Reinforcement Approaches in Addiction Treatment (CRA)
Principles of Personality Assessment
Principles of Occupational Assessment
Theories & Practice of Mindfulness
Eating Disorders
Independent Study
Developing & Managing a Professional Practice
Recovery Approaches in Addiction
Family Aspects of Addiction
Theory & Practice of the Minnesota Model of Addiction Treatment
Adolescent Mental Health Screening
Engaging with Parents in Professional Practice
Timetables
This course is scheduled to commence in September 2025.
This programme is available to be taken on a full-time or part-time basis over 4 years. Each academic year consists of two 12-week semesters. Semester 1 runs from September to December and Semester 2 from January to April.
The part-time programme is delivered using a mix of blended/online learning, as well as skills-based classroom learning.
Full-time option:
The full-time programme is normally scheduled over 3 consecutive days per week (over 12 weeks of each Semester) at ICHAS College Limerick from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm.
Part-time option:
The part-time programme is normally scheduled on 1 evening per week (6 pm to 9 pm) and Saturdays (9.30 am to 4.30 pm) over the 2 semesters September to December and January to April from Griffith College Limerick and Griffith College Dublin.
The part-time programme utilises a Blended Learning approach, which facilitates students to access classes in person or using online facilities. In certain modules (mainly skills based), attendance is a mandatory requirement.
Timetables will be made available closer to the course start date.
Please contact professionalacademy@griffith.ie if you would like to receive a copy of the timetable.
How to Apply
Entry Requirements
The knowledge, skills, and competence required to successfully participate in and complete the Level 8 Programme are outlined below:
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All applicants must be over 18 years of age and are required to undergo Garda Vetting
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Applicants will be required to have basic IT literacy, skills, and competence.
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For non-native speakers of English, a C score in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) or an equivalent IELTS score of 6.0 is required.
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All applicants will be required to attend an online interview
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Provide any information requested by the Institute, e.g. provision of personal references
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Undergo Garda vetting procedures
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All applicants will be subject to the College’s ‘Fitness to Practice’ policy, which is set out in detail in the Programme Handbook and on the website
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Candidates who hold a relevant QQI Level 5 qualification with a Distinction in at least three modules will qualify for entry to the programme.
How to Apply
Applicants under 23 years of age:
A minimum of 2 H5 & 4 O6/H7 grades in six Leaving Certificate subjects, including English or Irish.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The College is committed to the recognition of prior learning attained both formally and informally. It may be recognised either to facilitate access to a higher education programme or to allow an award of credit, as in the case of allowing exemption from a module.
It is the responsibility of the learner to make a formal written application to the College requesting an exemption and supplying all appropriate supporting evidence, i.e. transcript of results and module descriptor/syllabus including intended learning.
English Language
If English is not your native language, you must show that your English level is of a suitable standard. For further information please contact a member of the Admissions Team.
Griffith College is accepting the online Duolingo English Test (DET) as valid proof of English proficiency. Please see here for further details.
Mentoring & placement support:
All applicants are required to engage in a minimum of 50 Hours of Personal Psychotherapeutic Experience (or equivalent) across the programme.
Each student will be required to undertake 200 hours of direct client work under strict Clinical Supervision arrangements.
Fees
Please note that not all study modes may be offered at all times; for confirmation, refer to the Intake dates on the Overview tab.
Tuition Fees
Study Mode: Full-Time
Limerick Campus
€4050.00 (this includes a 2% PEL levy)
Study Mode: Part-Time
Dublin Main Campus
€4050.00 (this includes a 2% PEL levy)
Limerick Campus
€4050.00 (this includes a 2% PEL levy)
Flexible Payment Options
Students wishing to avail of an instalment plan should contact professionalacademy@griffith.ie
Students who opt for an instalment plan will incur an extra annual fee of €150 to avail of this facility.
Sponsorship
Is your company paying for your course?
They will need to complete a Griffith College Sponsorship Form and send this to professionalacademy@griffith.ie
All fees are fully protected under our Protection of Enrolled Learners’ Policy:
All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby, in the event of the provider ceasing to provide the programme for any reason, enrolled learners may transfer to a similar programme at another provider, or, in the event that this is not practicable, the fees most recently paid will be refunded.
Progression
This course, with its emphasis on Youth Studies, gives a comprehensive overview of current thinking and practice in the area. It would be of interest to practitioners in a wide variety of disciplines, such as Psychology, Counselling, Social Care, etc., who may wish to deepen their knowledge, build their skills, and gain a comprehensive understanding of this area.
Graduates of this programme have found employment in the public and private sector in organisations such as the HSE, Tusla, and in a variety of local authority, charity & voluntary settings. Youth & Community roles can include youth workers, outreach workers, family support officers, youth advocacy works, and school completion project workers.
Examples of some such organisations include Foróige, Childline, Child and Youth Councils – Comhairle na nÓg, The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC), SpunOut, Youth Work Ireland, Changing Futures and UBU – Your Place Your Space.
