COUNSELLING

The Counselling programs at the University of Notre Dame Australia offer an integrated and organised course of instruction leading to professional qualifications in Counselling. The courses adopt a humanistic and existentialist orientation to theory and practice following a tradition in psychology and Counselling developed by such people as Carl Rogers, Fritz Perls, William Glasser and Gerard Egan as well as others. The programs seek to assist a holistic development of persons utilizing their strengths, so that they can realize their potential as individuals in a process conceived of as lifelong and dynamic.  To this end, one of the main goals of these courses is personal development through group experiential work. Personal growth for students is therefore a constant theme throughout the courses. Students of counselling are encouraged to value the privilege of being in service to others while at the same time nurturing themselves.		Back to Arts and Sciences Fremantle | Sydney
		Units eligible
		Unit descriptions
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		Double Degrees available

The programs provide a flexible academic framework, which fulfils a range of needs from the introduction to counselling skills and practice, to a deepening of theoretical understandings and an increasing integration of theory and its application to the client-counsellor relationship.

Counselling is available to students in the following degree programs. 

Fremantle

• Bachelor of Behavioural Science with a Minor in Counselling
• Bachelor of Counselling
• Bachelor of Counselling/Bachelor of Behavioural Science
• Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Counselling
• Graduate Diploma in Counselling Skills
• Master of Counselling

Sydney

• Bachelor of Counselling and Behavioural Science

SELECTING THE RIGHT PROGRAM

The Counselling programs will be of particular interest to those working in areas of mental health, pastoral counsellors, teachers, nurses and others who might benefit from or require counselling skills in their work.

The Bachelor of Behavioural Science with a Minor in Counselling is available on the Fremantle campus.  An excellent degree, it combines studies in psychology, counselling skills and cultural studies and is ideally suited for students who are either school leavers or returning later to university.  It provides a range of employment opportunities and career paths to consider upon completion.

Similarly, the Bachelor of Counselling and Behavioural Science on the Sydney campus is well grounded in counselling theory and practice, psychology and cultural studies.  This program is well suited to school leavers and mature aged students.  It provides a range of employment opportunities and career paths to consider upon completion.

The Bachelor of Counselling degree offers three years of intensive training in Counselling theory and practice.  The School normally recommends that its prospective students have spent at least 5 years out of school before applying to enter this program.

Prospective students should demonstrate their personal and professional interest in the program when completing their application to commence a Counselling degree at Notre Dame.

 

COUNSELLING UNITS and DEGREE PLANNERS

The School of Arts and Sciences offers a wide range of units in Counselling.  Most units are run within a 13 week semester, though a number are offered as intensive workshops on weekends or in the evenings.

For the full requirements of the Counselling programs, and the units which are available within it, please see the School’s home page for the following resources:

• Units on Offer
• Majors, Minors and Specialisations lists
• Degree Planners
• Unit Descriptions

Popular units within the Counselling program include:

Theories and Approaches to Counselling
Mediation & Other Stress Reducing Techniques
Counselling Skills Training
Bereavement & Loss
Counselling in the Area of Drugs & Alcohol
Trauma Counselling
Counselling with Children
Mediation & Dispute Resolution
Counselling the Adolescent
Counselling the Older Adult
Theories and Approaches to Counselling
Psychosexual Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Counselling Skills Revision
Trauma Counselling
Counselling Couples & Families
Professional Practice in Mental Health Counselling
High Prevalence Mental Disorders
Treatments in Mental Health
Advanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

INTERNSHIPS and PRACTICAL PLACEMENTS

The School of Arts and Sciences offers a range of opportunities for its students to experience work integrated learning. 
The practicum is an essential component of Notre Dame’s Counselling programs.  The Counselling practicum will be closely supervised by Notre Dame’s practicum coordinator and staff. 
Some students may undertake their practicum at their place of employment, if suitable.  This is particularly the case for those undertaking the Graduate Diploma in Counselling Skills.  Others will gain counselling practice in locations approved by the University.

Links have already been made with established training organisations which are willing to cooperate in the program by providing opportunities for students to practise their skills, and their participation is warmly welcomed.