Introduction to Counselling (CO1005Z)

Content

This unit marks the beginning of your technical training. You will first be introduced to the centrality of the therapeutic alliance in creating the conditions for client change. You will therefore explore the importance of the counsellor’s 'posture' towards their client and the importance of being fully 'present'. The value of simple interventions will then be explored (e.g., lifestyle changes and psycho-education) before considering various common counselling approaches which have arisen over the last century. Finally, you will be given your first opportunity to use a foundational set of counselling skills for the betterment of others.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

Offering: This unit is to be taught in year 1, semester 2 (term 3). Prerequisites: NA Prohibited combinations: NA

Pedagogy

Scaffolded learning In practice: This is a collaborative way of learning that takes note of the learner’s zone of proximal development (ZPD). By repeatedly extending the learner’s ZPD they develop a comprehensive and integrated system of knowledge/skills. Scaffolded learning is achieved through the provision of online modules which clearly guide a student’s learning; through activities of increased complexity during intensives; by face-to-face seminars which are tailored to induce academic/professional growth in an ordered and coherent way; and by assessments which not only seek to identify that key knowledge/skills have been learnt, but that the student is developing an integrated understanding of counselling.

Indicative Bibliography

1. Bennett, R., & Oliver, J. (2025). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: 100 key points and techniques. Routledge.
2. Bugental, J. (1992). The art of the psychotherapist. W. W. Norton & Company.
3. Cory, G. (2020). Theory and practice of counselling and psychotherapy (10th edition). Cengage. (TEXTBOOK)
4. Egan, G. (2018). The skilled helper (11th edition). Thomson.
5. Evans-Jones, C. (2011). The CBT handbook: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Routledge.
6. May, R. (2011). The art of counselling. Amereon Press.
7. Lewis, T., & Wahesh, E. (2023). Motivational Interviewing in clinical mental health counselling. Routledge.
8. Paljakka, S. & Stone Carlson, T. (2025). So you want to do Narrative Therapy?: Letters to an aspiring narrative therapist. Routledge.
9. Ryan, P. (Ed.; 2020). Enhancing clinical case formulation: Theoretical and practical approaches for mental health practitioners. Routledge.
10. Sharp, D. (1991). The survival papers. Lewellyn Publications.

Textbook is: Cory, G. (2020). Theory and practice of counselling and psychotherapy (10th edition). Cengage.

Assessment