module specification

This module will enable students to develop an appreciation and good level of theoretical understanding on core areas in basic counselling and coaching.  This module sets out to explore psychodynamic, humanistic and cognitive modalities in counselling and coaching practice.  The module will also target good working practices ensuring that students are versed with how to ask appropriate counselling and coaching questions, how to open a session, closing a session and how to carry out an assessment.

This is a practitioner module and MUST BE PASSED. This means students must achieve a minimum of 40% on this module. Failure of this module does not prohibit students from progressing to level 5 (pending credit value)- however, they will have to pass this module in order to graduate.

Keywords: counselling, psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive, empathy, rapport, therapeutic relationship, reflection, paraphrasing, appropriate questioning, closing a counselling session, assessment

Delivery and discussion of the module syllabi will be via interactive lectures and tutorials. In addition to the weekly seminar workshops which will provide a forum for the application of theory to practical problems, students are expected to work in groups to learn from each other and learn how to independently use other resources available, e.g. library, the internet, WebLearn and own organisation. The module will also have its own dedicated Web Learn site to enables staff and students to readily contact each other and offers an on-line support/learning.

Workshops and seminars:

Information and materials relating to the workshop will be circulated once the course has commenced.   The seminars and workshops will familiarize students with various aspect of the course.  All workshops will relate to lecture topics and may be tested in the examination.   Hence, each student is expected to do the prior reading and consult few recommended texts and be actively involved in the seminar activities and group discussion.

The usual programme each week will comprise of a lecture followed by seminar workshop activities and group discussion. The workshops will use the content of the lecture and pre-circulated material for class discussion and group work. 

Students will gain core knowledge and understanding of the topics through lectures, but deeper understanding, evaluation and skill development will be promoted through directed study of recommended reading material, seminars, and online resources.

On successful completion of this module, students will:

1) Be able to provide a critical framework for evaluating the main counselling modalities
2) Be able to demonstrate basic counselling skills in practice with reference to humanistic, cognitive and psychodynamic modalities
3} Be able to critically draw reference to the relevant research/literature and to apply this practically.
4) Be able to carry out an assessment based on a counselling case study which is appropriate and proportionate.
5) Be able to respect differences in pleural society and cultural values of minority groups and those from varying socioeconomic backgrounds.

Students will conduct a 20 minute recorded counselling session (one-on-one individual counselling with another student) in an appropriate location in the University or online. A transcript must be included along with a written reflective summary of the counselling session (100%).

If students do not submit the transcript they will be marked 0%

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/9FF5AF8A-208C-0677-0C80-E26D4C0485A9.html

American Psychiatric Association., (APA, 2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th Ed.  Arlington. American Psychiatric Publishing. Washington
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Bager-Charleson, S, & Van Rijn, B., (2011). Understanding Assessment in Counselling and Psychotherapy. 1st ed. Exeter, Learning Matters, Ltd. (Core)

Bor, R & Watts, M, (2016). The Trainee Handbook. A guide for counselling and psychotherapy trainees. London: Sage. (Core)

Dryden, W., (2007). Handbook of individual therapy, 5th ed. London: Sage. (Core)

Kenneth, K., (2017). Basic Counselling Skills. A Student Guide. A Guide for Students of Counselling and Psychotherapy UKlevel 2,3, and 4. London, Counselling Tutor. (Core).

Kirk, H.W., Weisbrod, J.O.A., Ericson, K.A., (2003). Psychosocial and Behavioural Aspects of Medicine. Baltimore and Philadelphia. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Milner, J & O’Byrne, P (2003). Assessment in Counselling: theory, process and decision making. 3rd ed. Hampshire, New York, Palgrave.