Units: CN Counselling

CN100   Theories and approaches to counselling.
Counsellors need to be familiar with the philosophical and theoretical approaches, which guide their practice. Many different approaches are used in counselling, depending on how the client presents with his or her problem.This unit addresses a broad range of theories, including: Psychoanalytic Theory, Existential Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Behavioural approaches.

CN101   Counselling Skills Training
Many of the skills used in counselling are desirable for ones repertoire even if one is not a Professional Counsellor.
There are many situations in business and the professions where these skills can enhance relationships and improve work culture. Education, Social Work, Counselling, Nursing, and Law are good examples of where these skills could be used. Skills include listening, asking questions, reflecting, clarifying, challenging, and structuring the interview/session.

CN102   Personal Growth Group Work
This unit is experientially based, in that the value of it is in the experience of it. It is important for student counsellor's to become aware of personal issues which might be blocking them in their practice.
Groups are facilitated by highly trained competent and professional staff.

CN104   Bereavement and Loss
This unit explores the nature of attachment and loss, and also an understanding of the normal grief response. Loss and change are recognised as significant life experiences, which can arise within the person's life span and social situation.
Effective support strategies will be taught in order to give the student confidence in helping the grieving person.

CN201   Counselling Couples and Families
This unit examines counselling issues that relate to working with couples and families. Firstly it will examine family systems and structure, family development stages and changes, and the family as a social system. Secondly it will look at the basic models of couples and family counselling and therapy. The family systems, experiential, developmental and cognitive behavioural models will be looked at. Thirdly, it will address the various assessment and interventions with couples and family issues that are typically presented in counselling.

CN202   Personal Growth Group Work
This unit is experientially based and is similar to CN102. It emphasizes the need for counsellors to continue to engage in personal growth so that they can become aware of any issues, which may be blocking them in practice.

CN205   Counselling Skills Consolidation
The unit helps to develop the essential and basic skills in the practice of counselling. These skills include attending, listening, understanding, basic and advanced empathy, probing, the use of the right and relevant questioning, summarizing and challenging.
Students will also learn the skills of helping their clients move from the beginning stages of counselling to the termination of the helping process. This is done through self-critique and feedback of their counselling practice with other students in role-play by the lecturer, fellow students and video.

CN204   Special Topics / Seminar Presentation
Student-centred learning is encouraged in this unit. Students will read extensively on a topic of their choice, and present the material in seminar form to the class. Each student chooses one topic which forms the basis of the class discussion and is facilitated by the presenter, under supervision.

CN302   Personal Growth Group Work
This unit continues to build on the personal development of 1st and 2nd years of the course. It gives students the ongoing opportunity to engage in self-reflection through group process. In Semester two students take a turn to facilitate the group under supervision.

CN303   Case Studies / Placement / Supervision
As this is a practice-based degree, counselling practice is emphasized. In their third year students go out on placement under supervision. They present casework for discussion and write up case studies.

CN304   Special Topics / Seminar Presentation
This is another opportunity for students to direct their own learning and to maximise the overall learning within the class. Topics are chosen and studied and presented to the class by visiting lecturers who are specialists in their field. Group discussion follows the presentations. A series of workshops will also be offered throughout the course. Topics will include: Depression; Narrative Therapy; Brief Therapy; Working with Alcohol and other Drugs; Trauma Counselling

GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN COUNSELLING

This is a one year course studied in intensive mode over thirteen weekends throughout the year Course Content/Unit Descriptions.

CN400   Theories and Approaches to Counselling
Counsellors need to be familiar with the philosophical and theoretical approaches, which guide their practice. Many different approaches are used in counselling depending on how the client presents with his or her problem. This unit addresses a broad range of theories, including: Psychoanalytic Theory, Existential Therapy, Gestalt Therapy and Behavioural Approaches

CN410   Counselling Skills
Graduate Diploma students will already be using counselling skills in their work. This unit gives students the opportunity to explore, practice and develop counselling skills and process based on the Egan problem management model.

CN412   Experiential Group
This unit is experientially based and allows students to explore personal issues in group. This is necessary so that counsellors can identify what might be blocking them in practice.

CN413   Couples and Family Counselling
This unit examines counselling issues that relate to working with couples and families. Firstly it will examine family systems and structure, family development stages and changes, and the family as a social system. Secondly it will look at the basic models of couples and family counselling and therapy. The family systems, experiential, developmental and cognitive behavioural models will be looked at. Thirdly, it will address the various assessment and interventions with couples and family issues that are typically presented in counselling.

CN414   Supervision and Case Studies
Students receive supervision in small groups (3-4 students) They present casework that they are currently involved in, and write up case studies. A case study is an opportunity to express the world of the client in a structured form and also critically evaluate counselling interventions in a detailed yet concise manner. Supervision is a way of giving the student the opportunity to reflect on their role in the counselling process. Approaches to counselling are discussed, as are plans for each session. Counselling without supervision is not recognized for accreditation purposes and is therefore a very necessary course requirement.

CN415   Seminar Presentations
In this unit students are encouraged to read widely on a topic of their choice and to present the material in seminar form to the other members of the group. (Students are presented with a list of contemporary issues, or they may choose a topic of particular interest to them). Three workshops are also offered: CN409 Narrative Therapy; CN411 Trauma Counselling; CN407 Psychosexual Therapy

MASTER OF COUNSELLING

This is a programme which can be completed in eighteen months of full time study The course is offered by coursework and dissertation.

CN599   Theories and Approaches to Counselling
Counsellors need to be familiar with the philosophical and theoretical approaches which guide their practice. Many different approaches are used in counselling depending on how the client presents with his or her problem. This unit addresses a broad range of theories, including: Psychoanalytic Theory, Existential Therapy, Gestalt Therapy and Behavioural Approaches.

CN500   Counselling Skills Revision
Many of the master degree students will have had counselling skills training prior to the commencement of the course. This unit will allow for revision and fine tuning of skills required for effective counselling intervention.

CN501   Experiential Group / Facilitation Skills
This unit is experientially based and allows students to explore personal issues in group. This is necessary so that counsellors can identify what might be blocking them in practice. In Semester 1, students are group participants but in semester 2 they are also given an opportunity to facilitate the group under supervision.

CN502   Case Studies / Placement and Supervision
Counselling is a practice discipline, and students are given the opportunity to work with clients in a way, which is consistent with the course philosophy, rationale and design. A case study is an opportunity to express the world of the client in a structured form and also critically evaluate counselling interventions in a detailed yet concise manner. Supervision is a way of giving the student the opportunity to reflect on their role in the counselling process. Approaches to counselling are discussed, as are plans for each session. Counselling without supervision is not recognised for accreditation purposes and is therefore a very necessary course requirement.

CN503   Couples, Families Counselling
This unit examines counselling issues that relate to working with couples and families. Firstly, it will examine family systems and structure, family development stages and changes, and the family as a social system. Secondly, it will look at the basic models of couple and family counselling and therapy. The family systems, experiential, developmental, and cognitive-behavioural models will be looked at. Thirdly, it will address the various assessment and interventions with couples and family issues that are typically presented in counselling.

CN504   Ethics and Professional Life
This unit is taught by the College of Theology and the College of Health. Students will need to appreciate the ethical issues and dilemmas, which they may encounter as part of their Professional practice. Reflection on ethical as well as professional issues will ensure that counselling practice is of the highest standard.

CN505   Research Topic and Seminar Presentation
Student centred learning is emphasised in this unit. A single topic will be researched by each student and presented in seminar form to the masters group. This method of study increases knowledge dissemination within the group.

CN506   Dissertation
Given the practitioner nature of this degree, it is considered appropriate that the dissertation should deal with some area of counselling practice. The work must consist of an original investigation into an approved topic and should contribute to the general body of counselling knowledge. The report shall be of not less than 14000 words in length excluding references and bibliography, and not more than 20000 words. The research must be soundly based and use either quantitative or qualitative methods