PYB208 Counselling Theory and Practice 1

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

Counselling processes, skills and knowledge have broad applicability in the modern world of work. In this unit you will have the opportunity to engage with the most prominent counselling models and approaches. Through an experiential learning process, you will learn about the theories and philosophies that underpin different approaches and develop skills and techniques required to apply these models in your future work.
Self-awareness is widely recognised in the health and community sector as key to effective and ethical practice. By participating in counselling exercises, group discussions and individual reflections, you will be supported to deconstruct and examine your existing beliefs and values and consider the role they will play in your work with individuals, families and groups.
You will then have the opportunity to develop your practice framework that you will take forward to guide your work in the real world.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Identify and critically examine the use of microskills in counselling practice
2. Analyse the major theoretical approaches to counselling and the contributions they have made to current practice
3. Appraise essential and advanced micro-skills of communication to support the application of the major theoretical approaches
4. Examine personal values, beliefs and perspectives to ensure awareness of self in counselling practice

Content

Learning Approaches

The unit is presented through a weekly lecture which will include live demonstration, video clips, discussions and activities. Tutorials are  an essential experiential feature of this unit, and provide an opportunity for practice, feedback, group discussion and reflection. You are provided with an extensive range of resources including texts, articles, video demonstrations and audio content to compliment and support your learning experience. 

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback on your progress in this unit is provided in the following way:

 - The tutorial program will provide you with an opportunity to engage in peer-led debrief sessions following the completion of each counselling activity

- You will have an opportunity to discuss ideas related to assessments within the tutorials and can seek further clarity and feedback through organised drop-in sessions. 

- You will receive written comments and marks for each criterion for your submitted assignment. 

Assessment

Overview

Excluding exams, all assessment in this unit will be submitted electronically. You will be required to submit your assessment via Turnitin content-matching software. Assessment will be marked online and your feedback will be supplied via Canvas.

There are 3 assessment pieces in this unit.  Firstly, a reflective journal worth 25% will consist of reflections on your engagement with tutorial material.  Secondly, a written critique worth 40% will assess your ability to identify the use of and impact of micro-skills used in a counselling session.  Finally, to assess your knowledge of counselling theory and its application, there is a final exam worth 35%.

Note that prior to release of marks, the unit coordinator undertakes a moderation process to ensure that criteria and standards have been applied consistently and fairly. From time to time there are errors made in marking (for example, mistakes in adding up or missing sections of a submission). If you find such errors, you should approach the unit coordinator immediately. Actively reading the feedback provided will enhance your learning success.

 Final grades are not confirmed until reviewed by the relevant Faculty Assessment Committee and approved by the Executive Dean at the completion of each teaching period.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Reflection

You will be required to write two reflections based on your engagement with counselling exercises offered in tutorials. You may only submit reflections from tutorials in which you have participated.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Critique (written)

You will be provided with a video recording of a counselling interview demonstrating a range of micro skills. From the perspective of a counsellor engaging in reflective practice, you will be required to write a critique, identifying and evaluating the impact of these skills on the counselling process.  You will then identify alternate skills that you would utilise as the practitioner in the future, in line with your emerging practice framework.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Final Examination

The final examination will be held in the central examination period and will assess topics covered in lectures, readings and tutorials.

The exam will contain multiple choice and case-based questions. 

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9th ed). Australia: Brooks/Cole.

Risk Assessment Statement

You should be aware that some content in this unit may be confronting to certain audiences. Please exercise your own discretion when participating in classroom activities or discussions and, if appropriate, advise teaching staff if you do not wish to participate. The QUT Student Counselling service is also available and free of charge to all QUT students.

Course Learning Outcomes

PY45 Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)

1. Describe and evaluate the core scientific perspectives of psychology with reference to theories, methods and research, from diverse perspectives, including first-nations perspectives.
   Relates to: Critique (written), Final Examination
2. Critically examine the scientific discipline of psychological research and theories using oral, written and digital communication to address psychological issues in a respectful, ethical and professional manner.
   Relates to: Reflection , Critique (written), Final Examination
3. Employ strategies for self-reflection, with regards to your conduct, values and impact on others and the profession in a culturally sensitive, inclusive, ethical and sustainable way.
   Relates to: Reflection
4. Develop interpersonal process skills that contribute to effective outcomes in collaboration with others, including developing innovative opportunities.
   Relates to: Reflection , Critique (written)
5. Implement a range of digital capabilities to access, examine and utilise evidence-based information in the context of effectively responding to, and communicating, real world problems.
   Relates to: Critique (written)