Course Fee: $459 (Canadian currency)
This informative, relevant and stimulating course will introduce the student to the key theoretical counselling approaches in the field of counselling. It provides an overview for each school of thought – including basic concepts, techniques and skills – and helps you to apply them in your work with clients.
Specifically, this course will introduce the student to: the psychodynamic approach; the behavioural approach; the humanistic approach; the cognitive-behavioural approach; the solution-focused approach; the narrative approach; the feminist approach; and the multicultural approach.The college teaches and uses Egan’s The Skilled Helper Model.
There is no prior knowledge or experience required to embark on this rewarding certificate course. You are free to commence at a time that suits your schedule – and then continue at your pace for a period of six months. Full tutor support is provided for this course.
SYLLABUS
Module 1: Introduction to Counselling Theory
Topics Studied
• Introduction to counselling theory
• The basis of a good theory
• Similarities and differences
• An overview of different theoretical approaches
• Examining the research
• Counselling theories versus counselling models
• The nature of counselling
• Counselling microskills
• Brushing up on skills: Effective listening
• Self-awareness and professional boundaries
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Specify the basis of a good theory
• Describe the key counselling models
• Assess what is meant by an eclectic approach
Module 2: The Psychodynamic and Behavioural Approaches
Topics Studied
• Freud and psychodynamic theory
• The psychodynamic approach and human nature
• The triadic structure of personality
• Freud’s psychosexual stages
• Freud and defense mechanisms
• The goals of the psychodynamic approach
• Therapeutic techniques and processes (The psychodynamic approach)
• Introducing the behavioural approach
• The behavioural approach and human nature
• Classical conditioning, stimulus generalization and habituation
• Instrumental learning
• Schedules of reinforcement
• The goals of the behavioural approach
• Therapeutic techniques and processes (The behavioural approach)
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Paraphrase the key components of the psychoanalytic and behavioural approaches
• Describe different techniques and skills associated with each approach
• Justify the continued use of fundamental psychoanalytical or behavioural counselling skills
Module 3: The Humanistic and Cognitive-Behavioural Approaches
Topics Studied
• The Humanistic approach and human nature
• The self and the self concept
• Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
• The goals of the humanistic approach
• Therapeutic techniques and processes (The humanistic approach)
• The core counsellor qualities
• The cognitive-behavioural approach and human nature
• The role of thoughts, or cognitions
• Understanding the difference between automatic thoughts and core beliefs
• Playing by the rules
• The goals of counselling
• The assessment process and the ABC model
• Therapeutic techniques and processes (The cognitive-behavioural approach)
• Essential counsellor skills: Developing a feelings vocabulary
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• List the core counsellor qualities
• Describe Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
• Distinguish between automatic thoughts and core beliefs
Module 4: The Social Constructionist Approaches
Topics Studied
• Social constructionism and human nature
• Social constructionism and the therapeutic relationship
• The solution-focused approach
• Visitor, complainant or customer?
• The stages of solution building
• Therapeutic techniques and processes (A solution-focused approach)
• A narrative approach
• Therapeutic techniques and processes (A narrative approach)
• Reauthoring the story
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Paraphrase the main elements in the narrative and solution-focused approaches
• Relate the different techniques and skills associated with each approach
• Justify the use of key narrative or solution-focused counselling skills
Module 5: The Family Systems Approach
Topics Studied
• Introducing a family systems approach
• The key concepts in a family systems approach
• Family structure
• Two common relationship patterns
• Family rules
• Satir’s four communication styles
• Counselling goals
• Therapeutic techniques and processes
• Genograms
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Explain what is meant by “the family rules”
• Restate Satir’s four communication styles
• Construct a genogram
Module 6: The Feminist and Multicultural Approaches
Topics Studied
• The feminist approach
• How problems occur
• The goals of counselling (The feminist approach)
• The therapeutic process
• The multi-culturally sensitive approach
• Basic propositions
• Understanding oppression
• The goals of counselling (The multicultural approach)
• Therapeutic techniques and processes
• Some barriers to support
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• List some different types of oppression
• Discuss the main tenets of the feminist and multicultural approaches
• Assess the therapeutic processes in the feminist and multicultural approaches
Suggested textbook for the course (to be purchased by the student)
Corey, G. (2020). Theory and practice of counselling and psychotherapy. (Enhanced). Boston, MA: Brooks/ Cole.