Pre-requisites

CN520 Personal Philosophy of Counselling Practice

Co-requisites

None.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

• Critically analyse and evaluate a range of contemporary counselling theories with reference to underlying theoretical and philosophical assumptions and Christian thought

• Discuss different uses of technology in counselling and the issues these raise.

• Apply counselling theories and skills in the development of your own integrated practice

• Examine counselling as a profession including professional development and integration with related professions

Unit Description

This unit adds to the study of psychological theories and schools of counselling covered in Personal Philosophy of Counselling Practice by surveying a range of contemporary therapeutic approaches.

The unit pays particular attention to cognitive behaviour therapy and the contributions of Albert Ellis, Aaron Beck as well as Mark McMinn’s integration of psychology, spirituality and Christian counselling. Other approaches including Postmodern modalities are studied and evaluated philosophically, practically and theologically to enable students to continue to integrate a wider range of perspectives into their developing counselling practice leading to a personal model of counselling that reflects a thoughtful application of psychology and theology. This unit adds to previous units by introducing a range of models of assessment and intervention to increase the repertoire of counselling skills. Special consideration is made of the use of technology in counselling including phone and e-counselling. The unit addresses the legal issues that arise in contemporary counselling situations utilising technology such as the use of notes.

In addition to increased knowledge and skills in counselling, the unit introduces the profession of counselling and some related issues including professional development and integration with allied professions including referral pathways.

Topics

• Development of counselling approaches from psychoanalysis
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Integrative therapies
• Post Modern therapeutic approaches: Mindfulness and Acceptance Commitment Therapy
• Post Modern therapeutic approaches - Brief Therapy, Motivational Therapy, Solution- Focused Therapy
• Post Modern therapeutic approaches - Narrative Therapy
• Telephone, Skype and email counselling
• Christian and faith-based counselling
• Counselling using alternative modalities: To text or not to text?
• Counselling as a profession: Tips and tricks for an effective and sustainable career

Teaching Strategies

Teaching strategies include: lectures and tutorials; weekend schools; class discussions; role plays and practice of skills within class; presentation of instructional material in the form of printed documentation, DVD, video and audio tape; and online interaction.

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Unit offerings

Face to face: Semester 1, 2026 (Every 2nd Year (Even), Semester 1)

Please note

The Unit Offerings listed above are a guide only and the timetable for any year is the final authority. The College may vary offerings based on demand, regulatory requirements, continual improvement processes or other conditions.

This unit may be available in different modes of delivery i.e. online and face-to-face as listed above. The unit content will not differ between these modes of delivery. There will possibly be a difference in the schedule and/or the prescribed assessment tasks, however both will cover and assess the same content.