COUNSELLING AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES

PSY5COU

2017

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

The content of this subject involves: 1. providing a theoretical framework for conducting psychological therapy sessions using a problem-solving approach to working with clients, 2. examining general factors that affect treatment outcomes across therapeutic approaches and developing associated counselling skills for working with a range of types of clients,and 3. examining professional and ethical issues related to working as a professional psychologist. The subject has both theoretical and practical components.

School: School of Psychology & Public Health

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Eleanor Wertheim

Available to Study Abroad Students: No

Subject year level: Year Level 5 - Masters

Exchange Students: No

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: N/A

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: N/A

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Special conditions: N/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Improved ability to use micro- skills related to counselling, such as active listening, using questions appropriately, summarising, nonverbal behaviour, and managing process.

Activities:
Participation in seminars and interactive learning activities throughout the series and undertaking the reading from the associated references. Initial interview role play assignment

02. Develop a good working relationship and rapport with individuals in a 'client' role

Activities:
Participation in seminars and interactive learning activities throughout the series and undertaking the reading from the associated references. Initial interview role play assignment.

03. Effectively conduct an initial interview with a client

Activities:
Readings, class and between-class activities, and initial interview role play assignment

04. Develop overall formulations of client problems leading to interventions

Activities:
Seminar activities, reflective journal.

05. Develop short and long term goals for clients to assist in developing strategies and plan and negotiate home activities between sessions

Activities:
Participation in seminars, undertaking the reading from the associated references, and engaging in class and between-class activities

06. Understand ethical and professional issues of relevance to psychologists and demonstrate an ability to think reflectively about them

Activities:
Engagement in class activities, reading relevant materials, visiting professional websites, and working with an online self-guided unit on ethics and professional issues. Reflective written commentary.

07. Communicate to clients the relevant ethical, legal and professional context of a therapeutic process

Activities:
Reading relevant materials, engaging in an online unit on ethics and professional issues, class discussion and role play activities, and initial interview role play major assignment

08. Developed ability to evaluate ethical cases systematically considering ethical principles, cultural and legal context, and to access appropriate sources of expert advice

Activities:
Working through an online unit that includes an ethical decision making model with cases. Reviewing cases on the PsyBA website. Discussions in seminars, and related class activities. Reflective written commentary.

Melbourne, 2017, Semester 1, Day

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Enrolment information:

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Eleanor Wertheim

Class requirements

SeminarWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Problem Based LearningWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours problem based learning per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
one 1000 words reflective journal activities1501, 02, 04, 05
Videotape of an initial interview role play and written commentary6001, 02, 03
Ethics and professional issues commentary2506, 07, 08