Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

This first unit in the Counselling Studies strand is intended to provide you with an initial overview of the field of counselling, before focusing on the theory and practice of one contemporary perspective. This broadly-based perspective will be called "Constructive" or "Time-Effective" Therapies. It is an approach based largely in social constructionist principles and promotes a view of counselling as a unique conversational process which attempts to both validate the client's experience, while pursuing possibilities for desired change. It also suggests a time-effective perspective, emphasising the possibility of working briefly and effectively with clients. Selected ideas and practices from several specific approaches including Solution Focused, Narrative Therapy and Crisis counselling will be integrated.

Aims

The aim of the unit is to help you learn and practice foundational relationship-building and goal setting skills, as well as examining more advanced applications from designated models. In addition, you will critically reflect on the contribution of these approaches to your own work context and your own professional development.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

1. Identify and explain the major principles and practices of time-effective/constructive therapies;


2. Demonstrate competence in foundational skills of these approaches (e.g. constructive listening, negotiating complaints and requests, goal-setting sequences, exception sequences, etc.);


3. Critically apply the relevant principles and practices to the requirements of your specific work context or selected client group;


4. Articulate an evolving practice framework and philosophy.

Content

These topics are not intended to coincide with specific weeks in the semester but to set out the main themes and topics:

• Overview of the field of counselling and common factors of counselling


• Principles of time effective counselling, with an emphasis on solution focused and narrative therapies


• Building collaboration and a common project


• Constructing pathways for change: building purposeful sequences of questions from Solution-Focused and Narrative Therapies (e.g. future-focused questions, scaling questions, exception questions, coping questions, externalizing questions)


• Introduction to crisis counselling


• Application of these approaches to specific client populations

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Classes will be used for lectures, demonstrations, role-play practice and discussion. Appropriate DVD material will be shown at various times. A major feature of this unit is the 4-day intensive practicum held in the mid-semester break, where students work in small groups making DVDs of role-play interviews and receive extensive feedback from fellow students and supervisors.

Assessment

The assessment items in this unit combine theory, practice and critical reflection. They require you to demonstrate practice skills and critically reflect on your performance, and also to critically apply your learning to the real world context of your current practice or interest area.Formative feedback will be given through practice sessions and discussions in class and, especially, during the intensive practicum, where students will work in small groups with a supervisor. Summative feedback be given via the two assessment items listed below.

Assessment name: Skills demonstration
Description: On the final day of the intensive practicum, you will conduct a 35-45 minute role-play counselling session, demonstrating the major skills that have been taught, and critically reflecting on the interview.
Relates to objectives: 2
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid semester break

Assessment name: Essay (2500 words)
Description: "Using Constructive Therapies with¿¿" You are asked to critically apply the major principles and skills taught in the unit, to the needs of your work context or interest area, and to articulate your evolving practice framework.
Relates to objectives: 1, 3 & 4
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 12 & 13

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

Presbury, J., Echterling, L., & McKee, J. (2008). Beyond brief counselling and therapy: An integrative approach. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson

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: 13-Sep-2012