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Child Art Psychotherapy

ProfMasters (NFQ Level 9)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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With its roots in psychodynamic thinking, namely the acknowledgment of unconscious processes of mind and its influence on thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, the Vasarhelyi Method of Child Art Psychotherapy 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. Working in this way has been shown to be very effective in providing a pathway for the child or adolescent to articulate 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:

About This Course

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.

Module Type Module   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.
 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.
 MDCS41680 Introduction to Psychotherapeutic Models 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.
 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:
Year 3 Core Modules
 MDCS42500 Child&Adolst Psychopathology 1 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Year 3 Core Modules
 MDCS42520 CAP Clinical Paper 1 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  10
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Year 3 Core Modules
 MDCS42540 CAP Seminar 1 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Year 3 Core Modules
 MDCS42580 CAP Clinical Placement 3 Year-long (12 months)  10
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Year 3 Core Modules
 MDCS42620 Supervision of Clin Practice 3 Year-long (12 months)  10
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Year 4 Core Modules
 MDCS42510 Child&Adolst Psychopathology 2 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Year 4 Core Modules
 MDCS42550 CAP Seminar 2 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Year 4 Core Modules
 MDCS42530 CAP Clinical Paper 2 Year-long (12 months)  20
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Year 4 Core Modules
 MDCS42590 CAP Clinical Placement 4 Year-long (12 months)  10
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Year 4 Core Modules
 MDCS42630 Supervision CAP Clin Practice Year-long (12 months)  10

The four-year Professional Masters training in CAP meets the requirements to apply for pre-accredited membership with the Association for Child Art Psychotherapy (ACAP). ACAP is independent of the Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP) but has adopted their widely subscribed to Standards for Training in Psychotherapy. 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/).



While the course facilitates students beginning the path toward Accreditation with ACAP, some graduates have successfully applied for membership with other professional bodies such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP; https://www.bacp.co.uk/).



If you are looking to upskill or if you are already working as an accredited psychotherapist,  you can exit with a MSc in Child art studies, which is a two year, part time masters. Visit our site for more information here: https://www.ucd.ie/medicine/studywithus/graduate/psychotherapy/mscinchildartpsychotherapystudies/



UCD Psychotherapy also offers a Graduate Cert in CAP for Child Psychiatrists and Paediatricians.


ProfMasters Child Art Psychotherapy (X997) Part Time
EU          Year 1 - € 8530
nonEU    Year 1 - € 13900
EU          Year 2 - € 8530
nonEU    Year 2 - € 13900
EU          Year 3 - € 6240
nonEU    Year 3 - € 13500
EU          Year 4 - € .03
nonEU    Year 4 - € 11900

***Fees are subject to change

https://www.ucd.ie/graduateadmissions/admissions/feesfunding/

You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

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.



Am I eligible for this course?



Eligibility criteria:




  • A third level degree or equivalent is required.

  • Experience of working with children and adolescents within mental health or educational settings is an advantage.

  • Applicants are short-listed on the basis of their previous professional experience and the short-listed candidates are interviewed to assess their suitability.

  • Successful applicants will be required to consent to garda clearance being sought which is standard procedure for professionals engaged in direct work with young people.


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Child Art Psychotherapy:

ROWCLASS Apply to
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X997
Child Art Psychotherapy
Professional Masters

Part-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsApply
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