Units
Counselling Theory and Practice 2
Unit code: PYB356
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit focuses on the common facilitative factors within a counselling process paying attention to the person of the therapist and the counselling relationship. In order to respond appropriately and therapeutically to the needs of their clients, counsellors must have a clear understanding of the social and interactive processes which occur. Consideration of verbal, non-verbal, social, emotional, gender, psychological and social dimensions enables counsellors to develop effective, functional and client-focused relationships and to control biases, needs and possible exploitive practices.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 1 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Counselling students need to be cognizant of theory, skills and process. At the core of the meaning of process is an assumption that counselling is about change: change that is facilitated by the therapeutic relationship between client and counsellor. This unit builds on the theoretical and skills focus of Counselling Theory & Practice 1. It seeks to develop students' capacity to monitor and reflect on what they, in the role of counsellors, might contribute to process in the therapeutic context.
Aims
This unit aims to develop through enhanced self awareness and reflection, specific skills in the management of the processes of change in the therapeutic context.
Objectives
On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- Apply an experiential learning approach to the development of self as a counsellor
- Demonstrate the skills required to build a therapeutic relationship
- Develop an awareness of internal and external factors that impact on the counselling process
- Identify a range of emerging Professional issues related to Affiliation, Registration and Accountability
Content
This Unit will explore the interpersonal and extra therapeutic factors that impact on the counselling process with special reference to:
- The client - counsellor relationship, Transference & Countertransference
- Professional Ethics & the Law
- Impact of World Views, Values, Culture and Spirituality
- Special Client Groups
- The Therapeutic Alliance
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
This unit uses an experiential learning framework to develop your understanding of the varying dimensions of the counselling process and the role of the counsellor in this context. This is accomplished in a weekly 1 hour lecture and 2 hour tutorial.
In tutorials, students will participate in exercises and activities designed to clarify and deepen their understanding of important concepts covered in the lectures. The tutorials will also provide students with key information for successful completion of the assessment tasks.
Assessment
This unit will assess your understanding of process as an integral component of the therapeutic context. This will be achieved through attendance at lectures, active participation in tutorials, demonstration of reflective and analytic skills and development of the therapeutic self.
In addition to submitting hard copies of your assessment you are required to electronically submit all written assignments for content matching checks.Formative feedback will be provided through Tutor evaluation of the use of microskills in building a therapeutic relationship and the monitoring of group dynamics in the tutorial.
Summative feedback will take the form of a demonstration via recording, an essay and a final examination.
Assessment name:
Demonstration
Description:
Following the intensive practice of microskills in triads during tutorials, you will submit a recording demonstrating the use of a range of microskills in building a therapeutic relationship.
Relates to objectives:
1 & 2
Weight:
30%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Mid semester
Assessment name:
Essay
Description:
The essay should reflect your self-assessment of your performance in the recording which demonstrated the range of microskills in building a therapeutic relationship (Assessement 1A). The emphasis is not only on the competency in the use of skills but also on the ability to reflect on performance with a 'critical eye'.
Word length: 1500 words to be submitted via Assignment Minder and Safe Assign.
Relates to objectives:
1 & 2
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Mid semester
Assessment name:
Final Examination
Description:
The final examination will be held in the central examination period and will assess topics covered in lectures and tutorials using multiple choice and short answer questions.
Relates to objectives:
3 & 4
Weight:
50%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Central Exam Period
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
Clarkson, P. (2003) The Therapeutic Relationship. London: Whurr. Call No: 616.8914 726/2
Risk assessment statement
It is possible that activities could distress you if sensitive issues are discussed. If you find any of the situations distressing, you are advised to discuss them with a member of the University Counselling Service which is provided at no cost to QUT students.
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: 21-Jan-2013
