The Level 4 Foundations of Counselling Module aims to provide students with an introduction to counselling philosophy by exploring the theoretical underpinnings of the core counselling theories of Existentialism, Person Centred, Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. The module also provides students to an introduction to the importance of reflexivity in counselling practice by requiring students to apply their own personal experience to the understanding of theoretical concepts.

Summative Assessments:

Personal Development Journal (pass/fail) A personal development journal kept throughout the module recording personal learning and reflections on the process of being engaged in this module, both the taught aspects and relationships with self and others. A theme highlighted from their students journalling process will be submitted as a slide and discussed with a tutor 1-to-1 (weighted at 0%, to assess LO 3).

Coursework Assignment

1500-word essay demonstrating an understanding of two core counselling theories (Existential, Person Centred, Psychodynamic and CBT) by comparing and contrasting learning from different counselling theories (LO’s 1-2). Students will also demonstrate an ability to reflect on theoretical understanding through their own personal experience (LO’s 1, 2).

Formative Assessment

-Continual assessment through individual and peer group discussion and seminar groups
-Reflective group and journal writing

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: A combination of tutor and student-led lecture sessions and independent learning alongside drop-in module/assessment support sessions. The module will include interactive lectures, discussions and debates to explore the theoretical concepts of counselling philosophy whilst asking students to reflect on their own personal experience and understanding of mental health to develop their understanding. In seminars students will be given a number of personal development exercises that relate to lecture content to explore collaboratively their personal experience to develop their own awareness as a counsellor in training. Guided independent study will form the foundation of students theoretical understanding and will consist of a combination of guided reading and journal reflection for assignment preparation.

1. Demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of core theoretical counselling approaches including their similarities and differences.

Knowledge and Understanding

2. Communicate effectively about the importance of the reflective process and how personal thoughts, feelings and beliefs can be understood through theoretical concepts.

Communication

3. Evaluate and reflect on personal, group and societal experiences in a critical, pro-active and self-accepting way and explore identified areas for development.

Personal Development and Entrepreneurship

Sanders, P., Williams, P. J., Rogers, A. (2021). First Steps in Counselling: An Introductory Companion. (5th Ed). PCCS BOOKS.
This is the core text for the counselling undergraduate course and is the backbone of all topics integrated into the course. This is also the most updated version available.

Cooper, M. (2017). Existential Therapies (2nd Ed). Sage.
Latest updated version of a go-to book exploring the foundation of counselling philosophy from multiple sources including Yalom, Van Deurzen and Spinelli. Outlines Critical perspectives and implications to practice.

Means, D., Thorne, B. (2020). Person-Centered Counselling in Action (5th Ed). Sage.
Latest updated version of the ‘In Action’ counselling series provided by Sage publications. This book has 20+ years of being the go-to book for Person Centered Counselling as a practical evidenced based guide for students.

Jacobs, M. (2024). Psychodynamic Counselling in Action (6th Ed). Sage.
Latest updated version of the ‘In Action’ counselling series provided by Sage publications. This book has 20+ years of being the go-to book for Psychodynamic Counselling as a practical evidenced based guide for students.

Trower, P., Jones, J. (2015). Cognitive Behavioral Counselling in Action (3rd Ed). Sage.
Latest updated version of the ‘In Action’ counselling series provided by Sage publications. This book has 20+ years of being the go-to book for CBT as a practical evidenced based guide for students.

In this module you will be introduced to and explore the theoretical underpinnings of counselling from the Core Counselling Theories of Existentialism, Person centred, Psychodynamic and Cognitive, Behavioural Therapy Perspectives and relate this to your own personal experience. From the context of this exploration, you will critically appraise theoretical concepts within the field of counselling to formulate your own personal philosophy as both a counsellor and the ways mental health is managed and understood.