Units
Counselling Studies 2
Unit code: PYN002
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
The development of various counselling and psychotherapeutic paradigms and their related models of theory and practice will be considered in the light of the cultural contexts that informed them. The evolution of approaches over time will be reviewed in terms of ideas about the social construction of knowledges and the way they are embedded into cultural processes. The evolution of the brief, post-modern approaches focussed on in other unots will be examined and links made to previous therapeutic traditions. Critical analysis will be applied to the possibility of engaging in integrative therapeutic practices.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
This unit will serve as a review of the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings-as well as the distinctive skills and techniques-of the major psychotherapeutic and counselling traditions. The unit situates and contextualises the Narrative, Solution-Focussed and Collaborative Conversational approaches to counselling from PYN000 within the broader field of Psychotherapy and Counselling. The essential element of this unit is an exploration of how a therapist might appropriately respond to client presentations by drawing upon a wide range of established therapeutic traditions, approaches and interventions.
Particular focus will be given to developing the capacity to choose effective and ethical therapeutic approaches and skills that promote positive outcomes for counselling clients.
Aims
To assist students to develop an understanding of how psychotherapeutic and counselling theories (and their associated practices) have developed across time and how an appreciation of integrative practice might allow a counsellor to draw upon a wide range of counselling traditions and approaches to benefit their client work.
Objectives
On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- Identify the distinctive concepts and interventions that belong to each of the major psychotherapeutic and counselling approaches.
- Identify and demonstrate the use of skills from at least one of the major psychotherapeutic and counselling approaches covered in this unit.
- Understand current perspectives on Integrative Therapy.
- Articulate the way that socio-cultural contexts-as well as the development of theory-have impacted on the emergence of psychotherapeutic and counselling approaches.
- Describe how your own value positions and preferred therapeutic practice alignment fits with each of the major psychotherapeutic and counselling approaches.
Content
Content:
- Evolution of the major psychotherapeutic and counselling traditions
- The philosophical and theoretical underpinnings, distinctive skills and techniques of the major psychotherapeutic and counselling traditions
- Integrative therapeutic practice
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
Classes will include didactic presentation of theory as well as an experiential exploration of various counselling approaches through demonstration of skills and role-play. You will be required to research and present material to other students and engage in reflection and discussion about the learning activities. You are expected to be active participants in all aspects of the unit.
Assessment name:
Presentation
Description:
In small groups you will be required to prepare a seminar on a nominated psychotherapeutic/counselling approach. Your seminar will employ both didactic and experiential learning modalities. It will include a role-play demonstrating the defining characteristics of your nominated approach-followed by an analysis which situates the role-play within the approach and contrasts the role-played approach with other major psychotherapeutic and counselling approaches.
Relates to objectives:
1,2 and 4
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group
Due date:
Mid-semester
Assessment name:
Written Assignment Paper
Description:
You will be required to write a 3000 word paper on your understanding of Integrative Therapy. Your paper will include clinical examples to demonstrate your understanding.
Relates to objectives:
1,3,4 and 5
Weight:
60%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
End of Semester
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
Jones-Smith, E. (Ed) 2012. Theories of counselling and psychotheraphy: An integrative approach. London: Sage
Sommers-Flanagan, J., Sommers-Flanagan, R., (2004) Counselling and Psychotherapy Theories in context and Practice: skills, strategies and tecniques, Wiley.
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: 03-Apr-2013
