EDF5063 · Contemporary counselling approaches

Overview

This unit introduces you to six different contemporary counselling approaches. You will first learn about Egan’s collaborative model of counselling which emphasises the development of the therapist-client relationship. Egan’s model consists of three stages that focus on the specific skills that the counsellor can use to help the client move forward from client problem-managing, realistic goal setting and developing a plan for action. You will learn about the theoretical foundations of Solution Focused Therapy, Person-centred Therapy, Emotion Focussed Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Single Session Therapy. The unit content and activities focus on developing a theoretical knowledge base of each approach and counselling skills that build competencies that help clients navigate their own lives. Assessment tasks are designed to enable you to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of: the theoretical foundations, concepts, processes and techniques of each counselling approach; the implications of how approaches might be integrated when considering the client’s world view; and an awareness of cultural sensitivity in counselling.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. describe conceptual and theoretical knowledge of Egan’s three stage model and the four contemporary counselling approaches covered in the unit
2. critically appraise the differences between approaches, including an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses and applications of each
3. critically evaluate, integrate, and apply relevant evidence-based research to assess client presentation
4. demonstrate the ability to utilize theoretical knowledge of the four approaches to justify decision-making around which tools best suit a particular client and problem
5. explain the ethical considerations when considering the impact of different approaches when counselling clients from a culturally diverse society

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 288 hours per teaching period comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Usually, you can expect to engage with: Clayton campus • 12 hours of scheduled learning delivered on campus via weekly/regular directed learning activities, 24 hours of scheduled learning delivered online via a combination of synchronous and asynchronous directed learning activities, and the remaining hours to be allocated towards self-directed/independent study; OR • 36 hours of scheduled learning delivered online via a combination of synchronous and asynchronous directed learning activities, and the remaining hours to be allocated towards self-directed/independent study^ ^ International students studying in Australia are not permitted to undertake this scheduled learning delivery mode. Scheduled learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement. Kaplan off-shore • 36 hours of scheduled learning delivered online via synchronous activities and the remaining hours to be allocated towards self-directed/independent study

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.