MSc Dissertation

MSc Dissertation

As part of the MSc training, students will learn about the value of research, understand its’ real-life applications and be supported to develop research skills for effectiveness in practice. They will develop an understanding of different approaches to psychotherapy research, including how research contributes to the development of knowledge and critical analysis on a subject related to psychotherapy.

During year 3, MSc students undertake the Research Module, which supports them to develop their own personal Research Proposal. By engaging in individual and group work exercises, students are supported to identify and solidify their Research question, write their literature review and submit their proposal. This Research Proposal is 3,500 words and will form the basis of students’ Research Ethics submission. The TPI research faculty supports students in the development of their Research Proposal.

During year 4, students learn about the different methodologies, data collection, analysis and importantly how to interpret the data in line with the conventions of a Master’s Dissertation. Students will rework their Year 3 Research Proposal into a Research Ethics Committee Application Form and, following approval, will undertake and submit a 20,000 words dissertation, while engaging in regular supervision and attending to the advice and suggestions of their supervisor.

MSc Dissertation Titles

Every year, MSc students research a range of different topics. Here are some of the dissertation titles from the classes of 2024 & 2025.

Research Dissertation (2025)
‘Resilience in Crisis’
Research Dissertation (2025)
“Trainee-Psychotherapists and their Personal Existential ConcernsAn Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis”
Research Dissertation (2024)
‘The Phenomenon of Financial Uncertainty as Experienced by Psychotherapists Working in Private Practice in Ireland’
Research Dissertation (2024)
‘Qualitative Investigation in Client-Centred Psychotherapists Recognition of, and Recovery Approaches for Individuals Presenting with Addiction Issues, with a Specific Review of Motivational Interviewing as a Therapeutic Tool: An Irish context’
Research Dissertation (2024)
‘The Experiences of a Smart Recover Group in How the Programme Helps Participants Cope with Substance Dependencies’
Research Dissertation (2024)
‘The Attitudes of Psychotherapists to Psychedelics and Psychedelic-assisted Psychotherapy: A Quantitative Analysis’
Research Dissertation (2025)
“The role of psychotherapy for people undergoing bariatric surgery in the Republic of Ireland”
Research Dissertation (2025)
“Life After Sexual Debut: An Exploration of the Lifelong Impacts of Virginity Loss”
Research Dissertation (2025)
“Lived Experience of Sibling’s Suicide Ideation and Suicide Attempt”
Research Dissertation (2024)
‘Transferences Between Two Worlds: Experiences of Irish Psychotherapists Working with South American Clients’
Research Dissertation (2024)
‘What Sustains Counsellors Working with Third Level Students? An Analysis of Counsellors’ Motivations in Providing Counselling/Psychotherapy to Students at Third Level’
Research Dissertation (2024)
A Qualitative Exploration of the Inclusion of Dreamwork with Primary Caregivers in attendance of a Psychoanalytically Informed Caregiver-infant Attachment Support Group”
Research Dissertation (2024)
‘A Qualitative Exploration of a Therapist’s Lived Experience of Significant Loss and Its’ Effect on the Therapeutic Setting’
Research Dissertation (2024)
‘A Qualitative Exploration of Therapists’ Lived Experience of Personal Bereavement with regards to Well-being and Clinical Practice’
Research Dissertation (2025)
“Psychotherapeutic work with autistic women clients. An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis research project on the experiences and perspectives of psychotherapists working with adult autistic women, with particular interest in the areas of double empathy, camouflaging and sexuality”
Research Dissertation (2025)
“Integrating Insights: A Mixed Methods Exploration of Psychedelics, Integration, and Side Effects within Ireland”
Research Dissertation (2025)
“How do therapists identify resistance in client and what is it? Aspects of person-centred therapy in facilitating movement and is this modality enough in working with resistance?”
Research Dissertation (2025)
“Dual endings: Integrative psychotherapists reflections on their retirement and the perceived impact of forced termination on their clients”
Research Dissertation (2025)
“Exploring the lived experience of embodiment in humanistic-integrative psychotherapists in Ireland and the resulting implications for trauma treatment: An interpretative phenomenological analysis”
Research Dissertation (2025)
“Just a girl with no friends and an empty heart: Representations of trauma and grief in Fleabag”
Research Dissertation (2025)
‘Feeling seen’ in psychotherapy:Phenomenological accounts of psychotherapists”
Research Dissertation (2025)
“Exploring Yoga as a Self-Care Practice”
Research Dissertation (2025)
“Update on Research Proposal: Irish & UK Psychotherapists' Attitudes Towards OnlineVideo Therapy”
Research Dissertation (2025)
“LGBTQ+ media representation and Mental Health in a group of LGBTQ+ individuals inRomania”
Research Dissertation (2025)
“Reel Insights: Exploring Dr. Sean Maguire's Integrative Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Attachment Issues in Good Will Hunting”
Research Dissertation (2025)
“Psychotherapists’ perceptions of women’s experiences of birth trauma and its impact on them and their lives”
Research Dissertation (2025)
“Psychotherapists’ Perceptions of The Legacy of The Covid-19Pandemic on their Clients”
Research Dissertation (2025)
“Fully Showing Up: Shame and dignity in the therapeutic process”