| Semester 2, 2023 Online | |
| Units : | 1 |
| School or Department : | School of Psychology and Wellbeing |
| Grading basis : | Graded |
| Course fee schedule : | /current-students/administration/fees/fee-schedules |
Staffing
Course Coordinator:
Requisites
Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: GCCO or GDCN or MCCO or PDEV or GCHH or GDHH or MOHH
Overview
A requirement of counselling training standards is that students can apply and critically evaluate their theoretical knowledge in competent counselling and psychotherapy practice. This includes knowledge of mental health conditions across the lifespan as well as the knowledge and mastery of techniques for applying evidence-based practices to the presenting problems. Students also need to have the skill to apply techniques and competency in relating to others in an effective way and to be aware of human diversity. This course will provide students with the critical knowledge base and advanced skills for effective, evidence-based practice in counselling and psychotherapy.
This course aims to build an advanced knowledge of psychopathology and mental health conditions in the context of the lifespan. It will also help students to gain expert knowledge of treatment of these psychological disorders. Students will learn about psychopharmacology and the medical approach to treatment of mental health conditions. They will also gain a thorough understanding of the methodologies and application of major counselling approaches. This course assists counselling practitioners to obtain professional knowledge of evidence-based counselling approaches and to develop and formulate an integrative approach in counselling. It will also help counsellors to gain a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities in relation to clients as well as to raise awareness of human diversity including culture, gender, sexual identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, class, religion and ethnicity.
Course learning outcomes
On completion of this course students should be able to:
- Articulate advanced knowledge of mental health conditions, including their symptoms, aetiology and treatment options
- Articulate a basic knowledge of psychopharmacology
- Apply the key counselling theories, methodologies and approaches
- Critically evaluate major counselling approaches in relation to professional practice
- Critically analyse case studies in practice using an integrative approach to counselling
- Critically discuss the attributes, role and responsibilities of the counsellor
Topics
| Description | Weighting(%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Psychological disorders; Developmental disabilities | 10.00 |
| 2. | Disorders of childhood | 5.00 |
| 3. | Youth Mental Health; mental health care for adolescents and young adults | 5.00 |
| 4. | Disorders commonly presenting in adult life including personality disorders | 10.00 |
| 5. | Disorders affecting the elderly | 5.00 |
| 6. | Application of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy | 15.00 |
| 7. | Psychopharmacology | 10.00 |
| 8. | Application of Psychotherapy and Counselling Approaches | 20.00 |
| 9. | Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy | 10.00 |
| 10. | The Client-Counsellor Relationship and Qualities/ characteristics of an effective counsellor | 10.00 |
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
Student workload expectations
To do well in this subject, students are expected to commit approximately 10 hours per week including class contact hours, independent study, and all assessment tasks. If you are undertaking additional activities, which may include placements and residential schools, the weekly workload hours may vary.
Assessment details
| Description | Group Assessment |
Weighting (%) | Course learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | No | 30 | 1,2,3 |
| Case Study | No | 40 | 4,5,6 |
| Quiz | No | 30 | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |