Master of Arts in Contemplative Counselling Psychology

(NOTE: This programme is not offered currently)

Programme Overview

The Postgraduate Diploma in Contemplative Counselling Psychology programme comprises the first half of the Master of Arts in Contemplative Counselling Psychology programme. The programme aims to prepare competent and committed graduates who are capable of providing guidance and counselling services that are responsive to the changing needs of schools and the wider society. Consistent with the emerging challenges of society and the University’s vision to provide relevant and quality education, this programme is designed keeping Bhutan’s context in mind while ensuring globally recognized standards. It will focus on guidance and counselling strategies that are preventive, developmental, and remedial in nature.

Through their own self exploration and growth, the programme will prepare counselling personnel who can help their students/clients to achieve optimal personal growth, ability to self reflect, acquire positive social skills and values, realize their full academic potentials, and make important life decisions. Contemplative practices and mindfulness awareness will be an integral part of the programme to develop both insight and wisdom into one’s own psychological experiences and those of others, thus cultivating the capacity to be present and compassionate.

Learning outcomes of the programme

On completion of the programme, students will be able to:

• Apply advanced clinical skills and processes with increased dexterity.
• Articulate a sophisticated personal philosophy of and approach to counselling.
• Competently perform in the full array of counselling positions across the country, forming helping relationships that facilitate well-being.
• Engage in ongoing contemplative and reflective practice, demonstrating an expanded capacity for self-awareness, wisdom, and compassion.
• Seek out and provide effective supervision of counselling work for professional and para-professional counsellors.
• Administer counselling assessment instruments, apply interpretive judgment, and implement informed treatment planning.
• Communicate affective experience and theoretical understanding orally and in writing.
• Help clients to recognise the inherent sanity of self and others.
• Convey accurate empathy and attunement through verbal and nonverbal communication.
• Competently perform and demonstrate expertise in one area of counselling specialization.
• Conduct research and generate knowledge-based writing in counselling.

Curriculum Structure