Overview

This unit builds on the curriculum provided in Introduction to Couple Counselling (PSC60003). An advanced understanding of different theoretical frameworks and their application to working with couples is provided. Emphasis is given to integrating the theory with the clinical work through shared clinical experience.

Requisites

Prerequisites
PSC70007 Couple Counselling Theory

Rules

Pre-requisite
50 Credit Points in:
GD-COU Graduate Diploma of Counselling
OR
MA-COU Master of Counselling
OR
PSC60003 Introduction to Couple Counselling

Equivalent
HAYR451 - Couple Counselling theory

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
26-February-2024
26-May-2024
Last self-enrolment date
10-March-2024
Census date
31-March-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
12-April-2024
Results released date
02-July-2024

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Apply advanced and specialised knowledge of the major theories and methods that are applied to couple counselling, including psychodynamic couple therapy, object relations theory, attachment theory and systems theory
  • Identify and evaluate at an advanced level how the core theoretical concepts are applied to clinical work with couples
  • Compare and contrast the different theoretical models and approaches as applied to couple therapy, and critically evaluate their relative effectiveness when working with couples in a clinical context
  • Critically reflect on how the theoretical knowledge relevant to couple counselling influences personal and professional growth as a couple counsellor

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Class		2.75 14 weeks 38.5
Specified Activities
Various		4.25 24 weeks 102
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning		0.86 14 weeks 12
TOTAL152.5

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
AssessmentIndividual 50% 1,2,3 
AssessmentIndividual 30% 1,2,3 
Reflective JournalIndividual 20% 4 

Content

  • Psychodynamic Couple Therapy and Object Relations Theory
  • Kleinian Theory and Projective Identification
  • Transference/Countertransference and Shared Phantasy
  • Winnicott-The Holding Relationship, Bion-Containment
  • Attachment Theory
  • Systems Theory and its application to couple counselling
  • Integrated Behavioural Theory
  • Emotional regulation and the brain

Study resources

Reading materials

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