Theology and Counselling

LST is the only institution of Higher Education in the United Kingdom offering a unique Theology & Counselling programme, a joint-honours degree programme combining studies in Theology and training in Counselling.

The conviction behind our vision is that a Christian worldview needs to be incorporated in counselling. The programme can be studied either full-time or part-time. This programme is for people interested in training to practice as clinicians in different settings such as the NHS, schools, pastoral ministry or missions. The programme is also for people interested in becoming professional counsellors and needing a well-laid foundation in the Bible and theology.

The pathways after training are many, based on your ambitions and dreams. Our programmes are cutting edge as a result of new thinking. You will be equipped to learn how counselling theory and skills align with a theological lens on human functioning.

The REMA Approach
At the heart of our programme you will get to know a relational integrative model of counselling which roots counselling in a Christian understanding of people’s
fundamental needs for Relationality, Embodiment, Meaning and Agency.

The REMA model of counselling has been developed at London School of Theology. This is the only counselling programme with Christian worldview to meet the standards of their full professional scrutiny – and to that we add theological studies with teachers of world renown, in an institution with a long track record of providing the church in the UK and around the world with its future leaders.

Accreditation
The Theology & Counselling programme is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the main professional body for counselling in the UK. Academically, the programme is validated by Middlesex University, so that on successful completion of the programme you will leave with a Middlesex University award.

Personal Counselling
At all levels you are required to have continuous personal therapy as this is part of your clinical development and equips you to practice ethically and professionally within the BACP Ethical Framework.

Trainees are required to have a minimum of 30 hours of personal therapy per year for the 3 years of the course. The cost of this is not included in the course fees.

At levels 5 and 6, trainees are also required to find a placement organisation in which to practice their counselling. In preparation for this, trainees are required to undertake an enhanced DBS check at their own expense. Travel to your placement, professional indemnity insurance (if required) and clinical supervision (a minimum fortnightly) is also at your own expense and not included in the course fees.

Time Commitment

For full-time students it is expected that you will be able to commit around 40 hours per week to your studies.

For on-campus study, this normally equates to around 12 hours of lectures and 30 hours of personal study time with onsite lectures taking place 9am– 6pm on Mondays to Fridays. Students studying online modules will need to commit the same amount of time, though students can work more flexibly to complete their weekly study hours.

For part-time students it is expected that you will be able to commit around 20 hours per week to your studies. On campus lectures for part-time students are 2-3 days a week, 9am – 6pm, with days depending on the programme. For example, Theology Level 4 students have lectures on Mondays and Tuesdays in Year 1 and Thursdays and Fridays in Year 2. Online and blended students may work more flexibly but will need to be able to commit the same amount of time overall.