Course Fee: $459 (Canadian currency)
This practical, informative and stimulating course will introduce the student to key counselling issues facing families today. It will also help you better understand the counselling process, will introduce and teach essential counselling skills, and will help you to develop a relationship with clients that is helpful, supportive and leads to lasting change.
Specifically, this course will provide the student with: a general understanding of the forces and stresses that impact, and influence, the modern family; an overview of couple and family counselling models; and a knowledge of the relevant techniques and skills that the counsellor can use in his work with clients. The college teaches and uses the skills associated with 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 Family Counselling
Topics Studied
• The family in a postmodern world
• Significant changes in society
• Exploring family values
• The five love languages
• Defining counselling
• The key components in professional counselling
• Counselling pitfalls to avoid
• Brushing up on skills: Effective listening
• Brushing up on skills: Confronting prejudice
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Distinguish changes in society which have shaken and impacted the family
• Relate what happens in the counselling process
• Propose unhelpful responses that the counsellor should guard against
Module 2: Understanding Family Systems
Topics Studied
• Introducing a family systems approach
• The key concepts in a family systems approach
• Relationships and circular causality
• Understanding family rules
• Satir’s four communication styles
• The goals of counselling
• Genograms
• Cultural awareness questionnaire
• Reflective skills practice
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Describe two common relationship patterns in families
• Explain what is meant by “family rules”
• Compare Satir’s four communication styles
Module 3: Theoretical Approaches to Couple and Family Counselling
Topics Studied
• The structural approach
• The cognitive-behavioural approach
• The strategic approach
• The solution-focused approach
• The narrative 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 key theoretical approaches used in couple and family counselling
• Discuss the distinguishing features of each theoretical approach
• Propose how to apply the different approaches with a range of clients and counselling concerns
Module 4: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Relationships
Topics Studied
• Made for intimacy?
• Affairs under the microscope
• Everybody argues!
• Developing effective conflict resolution skills
• Areas of conflict in relationships
• Conflict resolution questionnaire
• A parting of the ways
• Separation guidelines
• Kuhbler-Ross, separation and divorce
• An emotional response to separation and divorce
• Murray-Parkes, separation and divorce
• What can we do to help the children?
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• List common reasons for having an affair
• Compile strategies for successful conflict resolution
• Illustrate how Kübler-Ross’ model, and Murray-Parkes’ model can be applied to separation and divorce
Module 5: Single Parent and Blended Families
Topics Studied
• Understanding the family life cycle
• Single parent families
• Children in single parent families
• Blended families
• Children in blended families
• The successful step parent
• Teaching children basic communication skills
• A look at adoption
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Summarise the stages of the family life cycle
• Propose some challenges faced by single parent families
• Predict some challenges that may confront blended families
Module 6: Communication Skills and the Family
Topics Studied
• The need to feel loved and valued
• What does it mean to be loved?
• What does it mean to feel valued?
• Developing effective communication skills
• Barriers to effective communication
• Developing effective listening skills
• Self-awareness questionnaire
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Describe ways of effectively expressing love and value
• Outline how misunderstandings can arise in the communication process
• Illustrate some barriers to hearing and understanding
Suggested textbook for the course (to be purchased by the student)
Nichols, M.P. & Davis, S. (2021). Family therapy: Concepts and methods. (12th Ed.) London: Pearson.