Units
Counselling Theory and Practice 1
Unit code: PYB208
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit develops the student's knowledge of the counselling process and skills and provides practice in changing the ways in which people express, conceptualise and respond to their concerns. It builds upon the communication skills and concepts introduced in PYB007 and introduces a range of counselling approaches. It emphasises skills in solution oriented approaches but also covers a range of models and skills for workers in crisis situations. It provides a basis for further studies in counselling in clinical settings requiring psychotherapeutic intervention, and other modes of delivery such as couple, family or group work.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2012 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Psychological and human service delivery involves providing counselling to clients regarding a variety of life problems and mental health issues. The counselling approaches and skills covered in this unit provide an introduction to the major approaches to psychotherapeutic intervention. Students are introduced to the philosophical assumptions and principles that underlie each counselling approach and the process of change. Emphasis will also be placed on effective microskills that assist in developing a positive working alliance with clients.
Aims
This unit introduces the major Psychological theories of personal change and their underlying values.
Objectives
At the conclusion of this unit, you should be able to:
- Describe the major theoretical approaches to counselling
- Identify and evaluate the micro skills of counselling
- Develop an understanding of the application of particular theoretical approaches
- Develop awareness of the role of self in the counselling relationship
Content
The unit will provide an overview of key counselling approaches that inform current mental health practice. You will be introduced to foundational approaches such as Psychodynamic, Humanistic and Cognitive Behavioural, as well as the contemporary theories of Existential, Systemic and Constructivism. In addition you will also be exposed to an experiential introduction to the techniques of change derived from these models.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
The unit is presented through a weekly two hour lecture which will include live demonstration, video clips and student participation. The tutorials are an essential experiential feature of this unit, which will provide an opportunity for practice, feedback, and discussion and progressive assessment.
Assessment
Formative Assessment
Your active participation in weekly tutorials is essential to develop an understanding of the application of theoretical content to specific client populations. You will be expected to take part in these weekly activities which will provide the knowledge required for successful completion of the formative assessment.
In addition to submitting hard copies of your assessment you are required to electronically submit all written assignments through SafeAssign for content matching checks.
Assessment name:
Critique (written)
Description:
Critical analysis of counselling skills.
You will be provided with a video recording of an initial counselling interview demonstrating a range of both basic and advanced micro skills and the goaling process. You will be required to identify and evaluate the impact of these microskills and steps in goaling, on the counselling process.
Word length: 1500 words
Relates to objectives:
2 - 4
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Mid-semester
Assessment name:
Examination (Theory)
Description:
The final examination will be held in the central examination period and will assess topics covered in lectures and tutorials.
Relates to objectives:
1, 3
Weight:
50%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
End of semester
Assessment name:
Workbook
Description:
Application of Counselling techniques
Your active participation in weekly tutorials is essential to developing your skills in counselling and reflection. This assessment item will not be fully achieved without your attendance and active participation in most tutorials. You will be required to maintain a workbook of short (500 word) written responses to tutorial activities progressively throughout the semester (10%), and to nominate your best two responses for assessment against the marking criteria (20%). You are expected to submit a minimum of 5 written responses from tutorials in which you have participated across weeks 4-10 of semester.
Word length: 1000 words (+ progressive workbook activities)
Relates to objectives:
1-4
Weight:
30%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 11
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Corey, G. (2009). Theory and practice of counselling and psychotherapy. (9th ed.) Belmont, CA: Brooks-Cole.
References are subject to change and will be listed at the start of semester.
Risk assessment statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 11-Jul-2012
