Given that clients bring to counselling all sorts of problems it is very easy for therapists to become problem-focused. This, however, ignores the many implicit strengths which our clients possess. Two approaches to counselling which are deliberately strengths-based are Narrative Therapy and Positive Psychology. This unit provides students with an opportunity to refine their counselling skills pertinent to these modalities in the context of clients who may feel marginalised by their circumstance, family, or community.
Unit code: CO2009Z
Unit status: Approved (Minor revision)
Points: 18.0
Unit level: Undergraduate Level 2
Unit discipline: Counselling
Delivery Mode: Blended
Proposing College: School of Professional Practice - Counselling
Show when this unit is running| 1. | Articulate an approach to counselling consistent with the intent of Narrative Therapy. |
| 2. | Demonstrate Narrative Therapy skills pertinent to counselling marginalised clients. |
| 3. | Articulate the strengths and weaknesses of Positive Psychology. |
| 4. | Demonstrate skills consistent with a Positive Psychology approach to counselling. |
Offering: This unit is to be taught in year 2, semester 2 (term 4).
Prerequisites: CO1005Z Introduction To Counselling.
Prohibited combinations: CO2010Z Counselling Survivors And Perpetrators Of Domestic Violence.
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.
| Type | Description | Word count | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skeleton Argument | For 5 different module “Activities” across the unit provide either: (1) a response of approx. 100 words to the question posed; or (2) a response of approx. 100 words to another student’s post. Each response will be marked as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. |
500 | 5.0 |
| Personal Reflection | For 5 different module “Reflection questions” across the unit provide either: (1) a response of approx. 100 words to the question posed; or (2) a response of approx. 100 words to another student’s post. Each response will be marked as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. |
500 | 5.0 |
| Skill Demonstration | Divide into pairs. Choose who will be the “client” and who will be the “counsellor”. The client is to present with an issue requiring counselling. Conduct a mock counselling session. The counsellor is to provide effective therapy using Narrative Therapy skills. Now change roles. |
1000 | 30.0 |
| Skill Demonstration | Divide into pairs. Choose who will be the “client” and who will be the “counsellor”. The client is to present with an issue requiring counselling. Conduct a mock counselling session. The counsellor is to provide effective therapy consistent with Positive Psychology principles/skills. Now change roles. |
1000 | 30.0 |
| Essay | Strength-based approaches to counselling represent a "new wave" in therapeutic practice. However, we must be careful to evaluate under what circumstances they are, and are not, efficacious lest we get caught-up in "the hype". For either Narrative Therapy or Positive Psychology use the literature to develop a position on: (1) its best uses; (2) when it appears ineffective; and (3) when it may even be contra-indicated. |
1500 | 30.0 |
Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 4 Nov, 2024
Unit record last updated: 2024-11-04 08:56:42 +1100