PYB208 Counselling Theory and Practice 1

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2027, 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, providing opportunities for practice, feedback, group discussion, and reflection. As tutorials include assessable components, attendance is required. Active participation in the full duration of the designated tutorials is necessary to complete related assessment tasks, and attendance will be verified.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.

This unit includes three assessment pieces. The Skill Portfolio (40%) is based on triad-based practice across tutorials and includes three Process Maps and a short Debriefer Reflection using a supervision model. The Tutorial Reflection (25%) focuses on your application of two different counselling paradigms, based specifically on your experiences within the tutorial sessions. Finally, a Final Exam (35%) will assess your understanding of counselling theory and its application to practice.

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: Skill Portfolio

As part of this assessment, you will learn and demonstrate a range of advanced counselling skills, as outlined in the Task Sheet and CRA. These skills will be practised in structured triads during three designated tutorials, where you will rotate through the roles of counsellor, client, and debriefer. All tasks must be completed within scheduled tutorial times, and attendance will be verified to ensure eligibility for submission.

Following these sessions, you will submit Process Maps, each focusing on a different advanced skill, to critically analyse and document your skill development. You will also complete one short Debriefer Reflection using the assigned supervision model, demonstrating your ability to engage in supervision-informed reflective practice.

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

The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.

Assessment: Reflection

You will be required to write two reflections based on your engagement with counselling exercises offered during tutorials. To be eligible, you must participate in the full duration of the identified tutorials, as outlined in the CRA and Task Sheet. Completion of these tutorials will be monitored and recorded, and reflections may only be submitted for sessions in which you were actively involved

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

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.

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 short-answer questions. 

This is an internally offered unit; students are required to attend examinations in person on QUT Brisbane campuses.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

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.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Corey, G. (2024). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (Eleventh global edition.). Cengage.

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: Skill Portfolio , 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: Skill Portfolio , Reflection , 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: Skill Portfolio , Reflection
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: Skill Portfolio