module specification

PY7211 - Professional Practice and Reflective Skills (2023/24)

Module specification Module approved to run in 2023/24
Module title Professional Practice and Reflective Skills
Module level Masters (07)
Credit rating for module 20
School School of Social Sciences and Professions
Total study hours 200
 
52 hours Assessment Preparation / Delivery
50 hours Guided independent study
48 hours Scheduled learning & teaching activities
50 hours Placement / study abroad
Assessment components
Type Weighting Qualifying mark Description
Coursework 100% 50 Portfolio
Running in 2023/24

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)
Period Campus Day Time Module Leader
Autumn semester North Wednesday Morning

Module summary

This module will help you to develop a range of core personal and professional skills in preparation for work in supervised counselling placements. It is designed to foster core competencies and reflective skills that underpin effective counselling practice. It complements the theoretical and intellectual competencies developed in other aspects of the course through its focus on developing the practical skills required to work safely and effectively with clients with differing expectations and needs, both face-to-face and remotely, reflecting the fact that much counselling and therapeutic practice occurs online. The module is experiential in its approach and provides opportunities for you to participate in roleplay counselling sessions with peers and to critically reflect upon and discuss your experiences with your peers and members of the course team. The module will also help you to develop your critical awareness of the limitations with your own competencies and to take responsibility for addressing such limitations. It thus provides an important context in which your readiness to work in supervised practice placements is developed and assessed.

Prior learning requirements

N/A

Syllabus

Topics will be drawn from: core skills in counselling and psychotherapy; personal and professional development skills; professional standards and conduct in training and practice; client consent and confidentiality; engagement and rapport building; working with diverse populations; online and other forms of remote counselling; making effective use of supervision; reflective practice and peer support.

Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity

The learning objectives will be achieved through a combination of interactive
workshops and seminars, reflective practice groups, supplementary guided web-based learning, and self-managed independent study. You will be encouraged to critically reflect on and discuss your learning, development, and limitations, and take responsibility for ensuring your readiness to practice.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

  1. Apply a range of core competencies and skills relevant to counselling practice.
  2. demonstrate critical understanding of how to apply core counselling competencies and skills in different contexts (e.g., online and face to face) and critically reflect upon the experience for the client and counsellor/therapist.
  3. Demonstrate critical awareness of the limitations of your own competence and ability to self-reflect and learn from experience.
  4. Use and respond to feedback in an open and constructive manner and take responsibility for ensuring your readiness to practice.

Assessment strategy

There is one portfolio assessment in this module with two components:

  1. A reflective log based upon your participation in, observation of, and critical reflection upon, online and face-to-face roleplay counselling sessions (2000 words excluding references)
  2. An action plan outlining your readiness to practice in preparation for entering supervised counselling work placements (2000 excluding references)

Bibliography