Diploma in Psychiatric
Disorders Awareness

(Dip. Psych. D. A.) 

A distance learning course

Textbook available on KINDLE™

   College accreditation: International Association for Distance Learning.
   Course accredited by Institute for Meridian Psychotherapy
    for professional development purposes                     

Total recommended period of study: approx. 2 to 4 months or less. Continuous enrolment. No time limit.

Cost: £225.00  (225 Pounds Sterling - for currency conversion see www.xe.com )

A FREE textbook (approx. 490 pages) will be sent to UK students. Non-UK students will normally have to purchase the book on-line from an internet bookstore (approx. cost of book GBP 35 plus postage).  

Kindle Textbook discount for UK students: We will give UK students a discount of £30 if they purchase the Kindle edition of the textbook from the link in the left-hand column of this page, instead of the free hard copy.

Method of study 

Textbook study.  Written assignments based on textbooks and exercises. Assignment questions are issued by email and students return their written work by email. Grades and feedback are issued by email.

Course overview

Although serious mental conditions need diagnosis and treatment by a doctor or psychiatrist, it will benefit many people to have access to knowledge about how psychiatric disorders are classified and described, and also how to understand signs of possible serious conditions so that professional help may be obtained.

This course will benefit counsellors, psychotherapists, hypnotherapists, general nurses, teachers, social workers, carers, healers and all those who come into contact with people who might show some signs of mental disturbance. 

Counsellors and therapists are often taught not to attempt to treat serious conditions but are rarely given in-depth knowledge of how to spot unsuitable cases. An understanding of the behaviours and symptoms presented by possible sufferers of psychiatric disorders can help by (a) ensuring that lay, i.e. non-medical, helpers do not become involved with cases that are out of their depth, therefore making lay professional practice safer, and that (b) non-medical helpers and carers can assist people in seeking vital medical attention where needed.

A further benefit for lay therapists is increased ability to understand professional publications in the field of mental illness, and to communicate better with members of the medical professions.  The course may also serve as useful interim study for people who wish to apply for relevant university courses later on, demonstrating interest and a certain amount of knowledge of the field. The course may be taken for personal interest.

The course introduces how medical professionals go about describing and diagnosing various mental illnesses, and gives detailed explanations of:

problems and disturbances of consciousness;

disorders of awareness of reality,

disorders of body and self awareness,

disorders of gender and sexuality,

disorders of emotion and personality disorders.

Within these sections, common serious and not-so-serious conditions such as anxiety disorders, phobias, schizophrenia and bipolar are described, as well as many rarer conditions and disorders that have neurological causes.

Hallucinations, delusions and other manifestations of mental disorders are clearly explained and discussed.

A university-level textbook of approx. 490 pages is required as the main book for the course. Further reading is optional though comprehensive reading lists are given, enabling you to pursue further studies at your leisure.                                     

Entry criteria and suitability 

No particular qualification is required for entry.  However the student should have a high standard of written English and the ability to cope with technical vocabulary and university-standard textbooks.  Some previous knowledge of psychology will be an advantage.

Qualification

Successful graduates will receive the Diploma in Psychiatric Disorders Awareness awarded by UK College of Holistic Training which is a private UK qualification. The college is accredited by the International Association for Distance Learning. Course graduates may use the postnominal designation
Dip. Psych. D. A.

The course is accredited by The Institute for Meridian Psychotherapy (which is linked to UKCHT) for professional development purposes (see societies page for explanation).

If you have other relevant qualifications in counselling you may also be recommended to apply for the appropriate grade of membership of the National Counselling Society (UK).  The National Counselling Society http://www.nationalcounsellingsociety.org/  will consider a wide variety of qualifications towards entry levels of membership and will advise on further study towards becoming an Accredited Counsellor.

Please note that this course is not a qualification in psychotherapy or psychiatry and does not permit you to diagnose or treat mental disorders. It is offered for educational purposes only.

This diploma is accepted by Calamus International University (a non-UK, private distance university with private accreditation) for credit towards a degree.

Further information

Please see our FAQs page for general information.

We reserve the right to change the syllabus and other details of any course at any time.

To apply for this course now, go to our Application page