This course is available through the following application route(s)
The Vasarhelyi Method of Child Art Psychotherapy (CAP) is founded on the principle that images and their creation have a distinct relationship with the unconscious. The CAP modality is an integrative approach to psychotherapy for children and adolescents, drawing from a number of traditions including Psychoanalytic / Object Relations, Humanistic & Integrative psychotherapy, and Jungian analytical psychology, amongst others. The creation of images in the presence of a trained Child Art Psychotherapist assists young people who may struggle to express their difficulties verbally to experience insight, develop understanding, create meaning, and promote positive change in their lives. The client’s feelings and experiences are explored through the simultaneous production of art work and verbal discussion with the Child Art Psychotherapist in a safe, contained therapeutic space. The images and art work created by young people in the psychotherapeutic context are seen as the primary mode of communication between the child and therapist. CAP has been shown to be very effective in providing a pathway for the child or adolescent to work through their difficulty and distress.
Students of the programme develop an understanding of the fundamental theories and principles of psychotherapy, and are taught the Vasarhelyi Method of Child Art Psychotherapy. Individual and small group supervision are integral aspects of the course, as are personal psychotherapy, group process, and clinical placements.
Art psychotherapy is internationally recognised as an effective support for children with mental health difficulties and is utilised across clinical, educational, and private settings. The Vasarhelyi Method of Child Art Psychotherapy [CAP] is a specific method of art psychotherapy for children and adolescents up to the age of 18, originally developed in the UK by Vera Vasarhelyi within the context of a multidisciplinary Child and Adolescent Mental Health team setting. CAP is a psychodynamic approach to art psychotherapy, where young people are supported in exploring and processing past experiences and current difficulties at both conscious and unconscious levels. This exploration is done through the medium of art materials in a safe and contained therapeutic space. As described by Vera Vasarhelyi (1990), ‘The symbolic content of images can facilitate a unique insight into the dynamics of the unconscious, and allow the privilege of seeing hidden processes, which would otherwise remain largely inaccessible to exploration.’
For further information about this method and about the theoretical background of the Vasarhelyi method, please watch this short video clip and see the following papers:
Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the theory and practice of the Vasarhelyi method of child art psychotherapy and its application in a variety of clinical settings .
Demonstrate a capacity to integrate and apply learning from all components of the training.
Demonstrate clinical competence, the ability to critically evaluate and reflect on his/her own therapeutic intervention. To work with autonomy while also working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Demonstrate a capacity to engage in supervision and critical evaluation of one's own practice.
Understand the importance of organisational and ethical issues.
Strive to reach the necessary academic, clinical and experiential standard as set out by the relevant accrediting professional body.
Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.
Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year. |
MDCS41680 | Introduction to Psychotherapeutic Models | 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year. |
MDCS42640 | Vasarhelyi Mtd&TrainExp Part 1 | 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year. |
MDCS42670 | Research Skills | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year. |
MDCS42680 | Mental Health: young people | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year. |
MDCS42560 | CAP Clinical Placement 1 | Year-long (12 months) | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year. |
MDCS42600 | Supervision of Clin Practice 1 | Year-long (12 months) | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of: Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year. |
MDCS41690 | Psychotherapeutic Models | 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of: Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year. |
MDCS42650 | Vasarhelyi Mtd&TrainExp Part 2 | 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of: Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year. |
MDCS40240 | Development of Pictorial Thinking | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of: Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year. |
MDCS42570 | CAP Clinical Placement 2 | Year-long (12 months) | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of: Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year. |
MDCS42610 | Supervision of Clin Practice 2 | Year-long (12 months) | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of: Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year. |
MDCS42660 | CAP Minor Dissertation | Year-long (12 months) | 10 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year. |
MDCS42500 | Child&Adolst Psychopathology 1 | 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year. |
MDCS42520 | CAP Clinical Paper 1 | 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) | 10 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year. |
MDCS42540 | CAP Seminar 1 | 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year. |
MDCS42580 | CAP Clinical Placement 3 | Year-long (12 months) | 10 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year. |
MDCS42620 | Supervision of Clin Practice 3 | Year-long (12 months) | 10 |
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of: Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year. |
MDCS42510 | Child&Adolst Psychopathology 2 | 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of: Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year. |
MDCS42550 | CAP Seminar 2 | 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of: Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year. |
MDCS42530 | CAP Clinical Paper 2 | Year-long (12 months) | 20 |
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of: Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year. |
MDCS42590 | CAP Clinical Placement 4 | Year-long (12 months) | 10 |
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of: Please choose ONLY the modules your module co-ordinator instructs you to choose when registering for any one year. |
MDCS42630 | Supervision CAP Clin Practice | Year-long (12 months) | 10 |
The four-year Professional Masters in Child Art Psychotherapy meets the requirements to apply for pre-accredited membership with the Association for Child Art Psychotherapy (ACAP). ACAP is a member of the Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP). ICP is the national umbrella body for psychotherapy in Ireland and is a member of the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP). It is also the national organisation responsible for awarding psychotherapists with the European Certificate of Psychotherapy (ECP) in Ireland.
CORU has launched a State Registration Board for the titles ‘psychotherapist’ and ‘counsellor’ under the terms of the health and Social Care Professionals Act [2005] administered by CORU. The Professional Masters in Child Art Psychotherapy is keeping up to date with developments, and will work to ensure that the qualification meets requirements for State Registration.
Training in Child Art Psychotherapy takes place over four consecutive years in UCD. The Association of Child Art Psychotherapists (ACAP) are the professional organisation and accrediting body for Child Art Psychotherapists in Ireland. Successful completion of the 4-year training ensures that the practitioner has satisfied requirements for Pre-Accredited membership with ACAP, allowing them to continue working toward clinical hours, personal psychotherapy, and supervision hours necessary for full Accredited membership with ACAP (https://acap.ie/).
UCD Psychotherapy also offers a Graduate Cert in CAP for Child Psychiatrists and Paediatricians.
Graduates of the course may apply for posts in organisations such as CARI, Tusla School Completion Programme, Children's Health Ireland, CrossCare.
Graduates are eligible to apply for accreditation with ACAP and then apply for employment with the "Counselling in Primary Schools-Pilot (CPS-P) 2023-2025"
Eligibility criteria:
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No
This graduate level programme is open to candidates who are working with children and young people in difficulty will find this programme invigorating. It will make an invaluable contribution to their career and to their commitment to work with vulnerable children and young people. It is also inspiring for those who are working with children with long-term physical illnesses. Graduates of the programme who hold prior qualifications in psychotherapy, social work, and other allied professions have found work in clinical mental health settings. Other graduates have found work in educational, voluntary, and statutory organisations, while others who have attained sufficient clinical experience in different settings work in private practice.
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Child Art Psychotherapy:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | X997 Child Art Psychotherapy Professional Masters Part-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsApply |