Professional development courses counselling

Professional Courses | Counselling

Our Professional Development courses in Counselling leverage the resources of Counselling school and are delivered by instructors that are eager to share their real-world professional practices. Our tuition is designed to give students skills that will instantly translate into positive results in the real world.

They are delivered online mainly. Minimum English language required.

Counselling Theories & Models | COM562

Course fee: $2,600 | Course length: 13 weeks | Intake: February | Online delivery

Course Overview

Counselling practice is shaped by understandings of human nature and functioning that may be idiosyncratic, partial and ad hoc; or shared, more-or-less comprehensive, and rigorous. If untested idiosyncratic theories are allowed to shape professional practice, that practice is likely to be deficient (because it is not fully informed) and/or unethical (because it is insufficient to achieve the best interests of the client). Hence it is critical that counselling practice is underpinned by well-attested, rigorous counselling theories, and that the relevance of using such counselling theories in interactions with clients is made clear to counselling students.

This unit introduces students to both historical and contemporary theoretical frameworks that inform counselling practice, assisting students to use theory when working with specific clients with specific conditions/issues. Students will explore:

the nature and function of theories and models within counselling practice;
the benefits of theories for counselling work;
implications of using idiosyncratic versus rigorous theories for work with counselling clients;
the content and objectives of historical theories, and contemporary expressions of historical theories, that have informed counselling practice;
implications of different theoretical emphases (eg. on affect, cognition, behaviour, the body, unconscious/conscious factors, or relationships) for client care;
the nature and objectives of theoretical integration, including the challenge of integrating differing assumptions and objectives; and
the process of developing a case formulation based on relevant theoretical frameworks in order to explain the client’s current conditions or issues and suggest appropriate modes of client care.

At the conclusion of the unit students will understand how to appropriately and effectively select and

deploy relevant counselling theories and models in the context of providing care to specific clients.

Key Learning Outcomes

Articulate the importance of understanding counselling in the context of evidenced based, ethical and spiritually sensitive theoretical frameworks.

Using major theories of counselling, reflect with insight on their own personal and interpersonal learning history, and develop reasoned and appropriate frameworks for positive counselling.

Demonstrate an understanding of the key tenets and philosophical/research bases of major counselling theories, and their contribution to understanding a client’s affect, cognition, behaviour, biological state, unconscious/conscious factors, and relationships.

Integrate presented client data with selected theories to conceptualise client cases from a number of theoretical perspectives and to construct appropriate treatment plans.

Articulate the impact of culture, spirituality and values on the development of counselling theory and practice.

Teaching Method

Learning occurs through prescribed reading and research, class discussions and activities, case study analysis, project work, written work and research. This unit may include online presentation using a range of content-based and interactive learning materials, objects and strategies. The unit is supported at every offering by access to an online lecturer and to the resources and student support services of the College.

Formal assessment is a mandatory part of this course. In order to successfully complete the course, you must pass all assessments and ensure you adhere to the relevant due dates. Details of the specific assessment requirements can be found by contacting the school of Counselling.

Approaches to Mental Health | COM564

Course fee: $2.600 | Course length: 13 weeks | Intake: February | Face to face delivery

Course Overview

According to current data, each year approximately one in every five Australians will experience a mental illness, with mental illnesses the third leading cause of disability burden in Australia. Affected individuals turn to health care services to help them cope with the range of challenges associated with a mental health episode and/or managing the ongoing effects of mental illness.

While formal assessment and diagnosis is the domain of psychiatrists and clinical psychologists, counsellors can play an integral role in the ongoing monitoring and management of clients diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and a range of other mental-health conditions.

In order to provide effective client care, and to collaboratively engage with other health care professionals involved in client care, it is important counsellors have a clear understanding and appreciation of the range of mental health issues experienced at any time by a proportion of the Australian population. Employing a bio-psycho-social-spiritual framework and associated approaches, this unit will introduce students to the aetiology, diagnostic presentation, assessment and evidence-based interventions for a range mental health issues. In the process of understanding and applying the bio-psycho-social-spiritual model, the unit also will challenge students to reflect on their personal assumptions relating to mental illness, including assumptions about the relationship between spirituality and mental illness. Finally, the unit considers how stress and vulnerability predispose some individuals to mental health episodes, and the role of social and family contexts in the onset of mental-health disorders and their management.

Key Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate a clear appreciation of a range of mental health conditions, issues and lifestyle factors presenting in the counselling setting.

Evidence a coherent and accurate application of mental health knowledge to the assessment, treatment and management of client presentations.

Recognise clinical co-morbidity in the counselling setting and articulate an understanding of the management of co-morbid clinical issues.

Display a capacity to appropriately educate clients concerning their mental health issues, and to work collaboratively with other relevant healthcare professionals involved in the care of clients.

Apply knowledge of contemporary mental health research to clinical practice.

Teaching Method

Ethical Issues and Practice | COM568

Course fee: $2.600 | Course length: 13 weeks | Intake: August | Online delivery

Course Overview

Counsellors are in a unique, influential and privileged position in the lives of their clients who are often vulnerable and unprotected. It is therefore critical that counsellors: (a) understand the extent of their ethical responsibilities to their clients, and (b) be cognisant of the moral and ethical theories that undergird ethical codes of practice informing and guiding daily counselling practice.

Concurrently counsellors are required to: (i) be aware of, and abide by, all regulatory codes and Australian legislative requirements that govern the Health sector; (ii) reflect upon, understand and incorporate professional values and ethical principles into their professional decision-making processes; (iii) embrace a cross-cultural approach in support of the worth, dignity, potential, and uniqueness of clients within their diverse social and cultural contexts; (iv) consider the advantages and responsibilities arising from membership with relevant professional associations (eg. the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia); and (v) be aware of, and thoughtful about, how their personal moral stance and ethical framework informs and influences their professional practice. This unit aims to comprehensively equip counselling students to understand and comply with the requirements and expectations associated with being a professional counsellor practising in Australia. Through a range of diverse in-class activities and assessment tasks students will develop both the understanding and capacity to make informed and competent ethical and legal clinical decisions, thereby enabling them to manage the complexities of mental health practice.

Key Learning Outcomes

Recognise the significance of ethics within counselling practice, underpinned by an understanding of moral theory and ethical principles and responsibilities.

Demonstrate an understanding of the legal requirements and ethical obligations of professional counselling practice, including a counsellor’s responsibility as a mandatory reporter in relation to working with minors.

Identify the origins of their current moral and ethical stance and accompanying set of values, understanding how their responses to ethically complex situations are informed and influenced by their personal morality and value system.

Identify ethical and legal issues arising within the counselling space that warrant resolution.

Utilise a decision-making framework for resolving ethical dilemmas arising in counselling practice, with reference to relevant counselling codes of ethics.

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Professional Courses | Counselling

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They are delivered online mainly. Minimum English language required.

Counselling Theories & Models | COM562

Course Overview

Key Learning Outcomes

Teaching Method

Approaches to Mental Health | COM564

Course Overview

Key Learning Outcomes

Teaching Method

Ethical Issues and Practice | COM568

Course Overview

Key Learning Outcomes

Teaching Method