We are launching our new Masters in Counselling and Supervision – there’s been no postgraduate Christian counselling course like this before in the UK.
A first for the UK and a first for Waverley Abbey College. We are so excited to be launching our Masters in Therapeutic Counselling and Supervision – a brand new course from Waverley Abbey College. This isn’t just another Masters degree, it’s the first course of its kind.
‘It’s a mandatory requirement for qualified counsellors to undergo continual supervision. Qualifying as a supervisor ensures ongoing relevance and employability, making this course a great opportunity for existing qualified counsellors,’ says Catherine Palmer, Head of Faculty at Waverley Abbey College.
Designed for working counsellors
Many working counsellors find themselves in a catch-22. They need further training to earn more and progress their career, but they can’t afford to take time off from work to learn and train. Waverley Abbey College’s MA in Therapeutic Counselling and Supervision (MATCPS) breaks this cycle. Fully online and part-time, the course allows students to keep earning while they upskill.
This course offers a Level 7 qualification in counselling and also qualifies graduates as clinical supervisors.
Clinical supervision:
- Is a growth area in counselling
- Opens up new income streams
- Improves professional opportunities
- Is a mandatory requirement for practicing counsellors
- Expands potential to mentor others in the counselling profession
The Masters programme is also open to counsellors who have got lots of clinical experience but don’t have a degree. Waverley Abbey College recognises that clinical experience is just as valuable as a qualification.
Bringing a Christian worldview to academic and clinical training
Until now, there’s been no postgraduate Christian counselling course like this in the UK. The majority of counselling training is secular. This course encourages Christians to fully bring God into the centre of their work in a meaningful and ethical way.
Engage with real life conversation and topics
The MATCPS doesn’t shy away from complex contemporary issues. Students are taught to engage with topics like gender identity, sexuality and spiritual abuse, which can be areas sometimes avoided in other Christian training. The result is a richer, fuller counselling practice rooted in both faith and relevance.
Flexible teaching and learning
The structure of the course has been carefully designed with award-winning digital consultants to work around busy lives.
Students meet for live lectures every other Wednesday evening and Saturday morning. All lectures are taught within 2.5 hours to help with the focus and engagement of the students. Teaching sessions are interactive, using a mix of breakout rooms, group discussions and activities.
Between sessions, students complete short tasks and engage with materials such as: TED Talks, podcasts, reflective exercises, and short lectures that fit around work and life. This helps students to be prepared ahead of each live lecture so they arrive ready to make the most of the teaching.
Waverley Abbey College has gone the extra mile to recreate the campus experience online, encouraging community and connection. Students can join the college’s live worship sessions, access a digital library and connect through chat tools.
Counselling taught by industry giants
The MATCPS is delivered by respected voices in Christian counselling, including Dr. Heather Churchill (creator of the Churchill Framework used by Christian colleges across the UK). The teaching team brings real-world authority and faith-based experience to every module.
With a student-to-tutor ratio of 15:1, the course maintains a strong interpersonal dynamic, ensuring personal support throughout.
The course starts in September 2025 with a flagship module on Christian counselling, and covers key modules, such as:
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), the preferred method of the NHS and many employers
- Working with Complex Mental Health
- Working at Relational Depth
- Working with Trauma and Dissociation
- Integration of Christian Faith in Counselling
- Clinical Supervision
Qualify in 2–3 years and start changing lives sooner
While advertised as a three-year course, the MATCPS can be completed in two to two and a half years – getting you to your next career step faster.
Take the next step in your counselling journey
Join the first cohort of qualified Christian counsellors signing up to shape the future of therapeutic practice in the UK.
Explore more about the MATCPS course content and see whether you want to join us in September 2025.
PRAY WITH US
Dear God,
Thank You for the pioneering work of Waverley Abbey College.
Please help the college team to reach the right people with the news of the MATCPS course so that lots of potential students apply to study at Waverley Abbey College. Thank You for the content of this course that will help so many people.
Amen