Overview

This unit prepares students to confidently undertake counselling assessments, including risk assessments and mental state examinations. Furthermore, students learn to apply key components of evidence-based therapies, including cognitive-behaviour therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness and positive psychology. Students will also learn to critically evaluate the treatment outcome literature and apply this understanding to client issues.

Requisites

Prerequisites

Rules

Admission into:

GD-COU Graduate Diploma of Counselling
OR
MA-COU Master of Counselling
OR
MA-SSCHSC Master of Social Science (Human Services - Counselling)

Equivalent units

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Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
02-March-2026
31-May-2026
Last self-enrolment date
15-March-2026
Census date
31-March-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
21-April-2026
Results released date
07-July-2026

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Conduct an initial intake assessment which includes a risk assessment, with a client who is presenting with a psychological problem
  • Write a case study report that includes information relating to the presenting problem, a case formulation, treatment plan with justification for the approach taken
  • Critically evaluate and apply the major theoretical principles of cognitive-behaviour therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness and positive psychology to a range of clients presenting in a counselling context
  • Critically evaluate the treatment outcome research relevant to cognitive-behaviour therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness and positive psychology

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Activity Type Activity Total Hours Number of Weeks Hours Per Week
On-campus Class 36 12 weeks 3
Specified Activities Various 30 12 weeks 2.5
Unspecified Activities Independent Learning 84 12 weeks 7
Total Hours: 150 Total Hours (per week): 12.5

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Analysis Individual  30-50%  2,3
Role Play Individual 15-25%  1,2 
Case Study Report Individual  40-60%  1,2,3,4

Content

  • The role of assessment in counselling and an assessment framework
  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
  • Mindfulness
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  • Positive Psychology
  • Graduate Attribute 1 (Communication 1 - Verbal Communication)
  • Graduate Attribute 2 (Communication 2 - Communicating using different media)
  • Graduate Attribute 3 (Teamwork 1 - Collaboration and negotiation)
  • Graduate Attribute 5 (Digital Literacies 1 - Information literacy)
  • Graduate Attribute 6 (Digital Literacies 2 - Technical literacy)

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.