Personal development is a fundamental component of counsellor training which is facilitated through activities and group work and is a central component within the course.
The personal development group creates a safe space to enable you to enhance self-awareness with particular attention to self in relation to others. The core conditions are a central element within personal development to create a growth promoting environment.
Within the module you will explore; diversity, family culture and bias, self-concept, models of self-reflection and understanding, recognising transference and countertransference and defence mechanisms. You will also explore the group process, challenging self, and giving and receiving constructive feedback.

You will be required to write a reflective essay based on reflective journal extracts demonstrating evidence of enhanced self-awareness, weighted at 100% (LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4).
The reflective journal encourages students to reflect on factors that have enhanced their self-awareness with reference to the core theoretical models, personal values, attitudes and experiences and how they may impact on the therapeutic relationship.

Learning strategies may include interactive lectures and skills practice sessions which consist of workshops, discussions, group-work, role-play, and individual tutorials. Reflection and reflective practice along with critical thinking will also be a key element of the programme in to facilitate professional learning. Independent study time includes researching, reading and reflection as well as assignment preparation.

1. Explore personal growth and development through an understanding of the core models in counselling. Knowledge and Understanding

2. Demonstrate reflection on personal values, attitudes and experiences and how they impact on the therapeutic relationship.
Reflection and Communication

3. Integrate personal development with theory.
Application

4. Demonstrate the ability to recognise and make use of own understanding of self-gained from group interactions.
Reflection

Library
IT resources including PowerPoints
VLE - SOALR
Core texts

McLeod, & McLeod, J. (2014). Personal and Professional Development for Counsellors, Psychotherapists and Mental Health Practitioners. McGraw-Hill Education.

Stedmon, & Dallos, R. (2009). Reflective practice in psychotherapy and counselling. Open University Press.

Bager-Charleson. (2010). Reflective practice in counselling and psychotherapy. Learning Matters.

Personal development is a fundamental component of counsellor training which is facilitated through activities and group work and is a central component within the course.
The personal development group creates a safe space to enable you to enhance self-awareness with particular attention to self in relation to others. The core conditions are a central element within personal development to create a growth promoting environment.