Diana-Gabriela wanted to study a programme that would enable her to qualify as a therapist. She wanted to develop her knowledge and skills in a way that would allow her to work using multiple approaches.
After researching the different courses available, she decided that the PGDip Integrative Psychotherapy at UCLan, combining approaches across two very intensive years, would enable her to develop her skillset. BACP accreditation also informed her decision to study at UCLan.
“It is accredited by the BACP which speaks for itself in terms of teaching standards and employability at the end of the course,” she explained.
"This has been a transformational course for myself in which I developed not only professionally but also personally."
— Diana-Gabriela Boicu
Diana-Gabriela decided to base her research study on the topic of eating disorders in the sphere of integrative psychotherapy. “I covered the aetiology of eating disorders from an integrative perspective and treatment options or therapeutic approaches. I found that being able to choose a topic of interest and applying it to integrative psychotherapy allowed me to stay engaged and curious – I was interested in what I was reading, in the research and literature that exists on the topic. It enabled me to both explore and synthesise these ideas at the same time. This in turn passed on this knowledge to my peers – who, if they do work with someone who has an eating disorder, may then feel more prepared based on the ideas I’ve presented to them.“
In her work as a therapist, Diana-Gabriela opts to work with her clients in a person-centred, psychodynamic existential way. Studying this course has allowed her to develop and inform her choice of integration in order to ensure that she utilises these tools in a safe and ethical way, enabling her to understand the rationale behind her actions when working with her clients.
“I felt that every emotion or idea I brought was ok and it was a topic for discussion.
“Be prepared for the great amount of knowledge – both practical and theoretical that this course will equip you with.”
Diana enjoyed engaging in a research project as part of her course and decided to focus on eating disorders and integrative psychotherapy. “I covered the aetiology of eating disorders from an integrative perspective and treatment options or therapy approaches. I found that being able to choose a topic of interest and applying it to integrative psychotherapy allowed me to stay engaged and curious – I was interested in what I was reading, in the research and literature that exists on the topic, and it enabled me to both explore and synthesise these ideas at the same time. This in turn passed on this knowledge to my peers – who, if they do work with someone who has an eating disorder, may then feel more prepared based on the ideas I’ve presented to them.“
When reflecting on the course Diana concluded the best aspects of the experience included the: “expertise of the lecturers and their openness in helping you learn; encouragement from the teaching team towards being autonomous and ethical practitioners which helps students feel confident in themselves by the end of the programme; honesty and transparency regarding what being a psychotherapist entails – the thought that goes behind each decision, the careful consideration that needs to be taken every step of the way, or in other words, the push towards getting us to think critically as practitioners.”
She really enjoyed “so many interesting conversations with people” and “feeling accepted and welcomed to be just as one is – I felt that every emotion or idea I brought was ok and it was a topic for discussion.”