Introduction to Basic Counselling Skills, min.24 hours.
Prior experiences and/or alternative qualifications may be accepted where possible.

Frankland A, Sanders P (2003) Next Steps in Counselling, PCCS Books.
McLeod J (2004). The Counsellor's Workbook: Developing a Personal Approach. Open University Press.
McLeod J (2003). An Introduction to Counselling (3rd Edn). Open University Press.
Mearns D & Thorne B, (2003), Person-Centred Counselling in Action, Sage
Nelson-Jones R (Ed) (2000). Introduction to Counselling Skills
Palmer S. Wolfe R (Eds) (2000). Integrative & Eclectic Counselling & Psychotherapy. Sage Publications
ProchaskaJ, Norcross J (2002). Systems of Psychotherapy: A Transtheoretical Analysis (5th Edn). Prentice-Hall
Rogers C R (1961). On Becoming a Person. Constable, London

Weekly 4 hour sessions over 27 weeks, (which incorporate elements from all modules), plus a one-day workshop (6 hrs contact time) and a residential weekend (16 hrs contact time). The Counselling Skills module involves experiential work in triads and in larger groups. The interactive sessions allow for the opportunity to practice counselling skills in some depth. Counselling skills will be demonstrated and/or modelled by tutors and use of video tapes. Students will be expected to undertake extra reading, both generally and as directed by the course tutors, this is a necessary requirement to help develop and broaden knowledge of counselling theory and skills with the purpose of accomplishing the assessed work. Developing counselling skills will form an integral part of weekly sessions, workshops and the residential weekend.

The counselling skills module provides an opportunity for students to practice the counselling skills relating to counselling theory. The module will initially focus on the core skills of the person centred model which help to establish an appropriate, safe and supporting relationship within the counselling setting. The module will also make a distinction between the skills used within different theoretical frameworks, for example, the ABCD approach of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy.

Summative Assessment
For this assessment students will engage in a practice counselling session with another student. From this session they will produce a 20 minute audio or video recording, to be submitted with a 1500 word critique and full transcript of the session. Assessment will be made using Pass/Fail criteria. (Learning outcomes 1-3)

This will ask students to:
1. Provide evidence of an understanding and use of counselling skills within a counselling setting
2. Demonstrate their knowledge of counselling skills and critically evaluate their own practice.
3. Demonstrate their ability through use of counselling skills to engage with some of the fundamental theoretical issues.

Formative Assessment
Students will be both peer and tutor assessed in their practice of counselling skills during sessions, as well as through personal reflection and peer group discussion

Video/Audio taping equipment, Videos, Counselling textbooks, access to Learning Resource Centre.