Counselling Theory and Skills
Duration
- One Semester or equivalent
Contact hours
- 36 hours plus two 3 hour workshops per teaching period
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning.
Prerequisites
Admission to DR-CFPSY Doctor of Psychology (Clinical and Forensic Psychology) programCorequisites
NilAims and objectives
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
1. Critically assess and synthesise complex information, in order to facilitate a client centred interview while applying advanced counselling micro skills
2. Integrate advanced counselling skills to elicit a description of client’s concerns
3. Effectively communicate and apply appropriate treatment decisions based on clinical evidence
4. Apply a high level of knowledge and skills including the integration of client information and established theories, to produce a provisional case formulation and treatment plan
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment, general skills outcomes and content.
Teaching methods
Type | Hours per week | Number of Weeks | Total |
Face to Face Contact Seminar Workshop** |
3 3 |
12 2 |
36 6 |
Online Contact Discussion |
0.5 | 12 | 6 |
Specified Learning Activities: Readings Groupwork Watching media relating to counselling skills Discussion board |
6 |
12 |
72 |
Unspecified Learning Activities Independent study Assignment preparation Revision | Recommended | 30 | |
TOTAL | 150 hours |
** The two workshops and associated report are a requirement for accreditation by Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
Assessment
Types | Individual or Group task | Weighting | Assesses attainment of these ULOs |
Assignment 1 | Individual | Pass / Fail 40% | 1, 2, 3 |
Assignment 2 | Individual | Pass / Fail 40% | 3, 4 |
Case Review | Individual | Pass / Fail 20% | 3, 4, 5 |
General skills outcomes
• Teamwork Skills
• Analysis Skills
• Problem Solving Skills
• Communication Skills
• Ability to tackle unfamiliar problems
• Ability to work independently
Content
- Evidence‐based practice in psychology
- Counselling micro skills (attending, questioning and empathic responding)
- Solution‐focussed approach to counselling/psychotherapy (paying attention to what the client wants, amplifying, exploring for exceptions, formulating feedback, tracking progress, coping questions in crisis situations)
- Interpersonal psychodynamic approach to psychotherapy (establishing a working alliance, resistance, internal focus for change, responding to conflicted emotions, familial and developmental factors, inflexible coping strategies, current interpersonal factors, termination)
- The Egan problem‐solving framework
- Developing an individual case formulation
Study resources
- Reading materials.