This module will introduce students to reflective models to help them develop a sense of reflexivity when developing ethical awareness. Reflexivity is a key feature of the module and students are encouraged to reflect on personal and professional development through group participation, large and small group experiential exercises, triads and individual reflection. There is guidance on the construction of a personal development journal and personal development groups. Students will have the opportunity to develop their understanding of the importance of an ethical approach in a counselling setting. Ethical and professional issues will be considered, including concepts related to confidentiality, ethical dilemmas and the importance of supervision and practitioner self-care. Students will develop an awareness of diversity and difference and the impact this may have on the therapeutic relationship. Students will be introduced to a number of core counselling theories and learn how to link theory to the use of key counselling skills.

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. Parts of the journal will be submitted as evidence. (weighted at 0%, to assess LO’s 4 and 5)

Minimum of 75% attendance on the module (0% Pass/Fail, to assess LO’s 2, 3 and 4)

Ethical Awareness Case Study
Summative Assessment:
This 2000 word Case Study will contain a number of sections comprising short answer questions will assess students' awareness and understanding of ethical dilemmas and professional issues and attitudes in a counselling context with reference and use of to the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) Ethical framework.
This assessment will ask students to:
With the case study provided use the BACP (2018) Ethical Framework to address the ethical issues present and justify your decision making throughout the given stages of Bond’s (2010) six-stage model. To assess LO’s 1, 2, and 3.

Summative Assessment:
2,000 word essay demonstrating an understanding of counselling theory and integrating learning from different counselling theories. To assess LO’s 1, 3, 4 and 5.

All elements of assessment must be passed in order to pass the module

Formative Assessment :
Discussion of ethical dilemmas and application to real life examples in small and large groups.
Continual assessment through individual and peer group discussion and seminar groups
Skills practice and regular feedback sessions
Reflective group and journal writing

On this module students can expect to engage in 64 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activity (e.g., lectures, workshops, assessment preparation). Some sessions will be delivered face to face through live online platforms in order to continue to develop online counselling skills. Students should also be aware that they will need to build in time outside of the course for independent reading, assessment preparation, personal reflection and journal writing.

This module aims to build ethical awareness, personal and professional development in counselling. Throughout the module we will include discussions and experiential exercises working in triads and larger groups. The interactive lectures will include tutor led presentations and facilitate discussions of ethical and professional issues as well as diversity and power in the therapeutic relationship. Through continuing with the personal development groups and writing in their personal development journal students will have the opportunity to engage in and develop reflective practice. Students will be expected to undertake extra reading, both general and directed by the course tutors. This is necessary to help develop and broaden knowledge ethics with the purpose of accomplishing the assessed work and to encourage self-directed enquiry and learning. Reflective practice is encouraged and facilitated by a personal professional development group and completing a personal development journal.

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of different counselling approaches and ethical issues including potential professional dilemmas in a counselling context.
Knowledge and Understanding

Demonstrate an ability to apply and evaluate the BACP ethical framework and other relevant wider reading to both ethical problem solving and limitations of different counselling approaches.
Application, Problem Solving, Learning and Analysis

Demonstrate a professional attitude to helping others which can be applied in different situations, and gain understanding and awareness of a range of factors influencing the counselling process in terms of diversity (i.e. groups, families, culture, gender etc..).
Application, Analysis and Communication

Reflect on an understanding of counselling theory as a foundation of counselling practice and engage with and evaluate the counselling literature relevant to these main approaches.
Application, Communication, Reflection, and Enquiry

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

Blackboard VLE

Library access to relevant textbooks, journals, ebooks

Internet access to relevant websites and online databases.

Break out rooms for triad group work.

BACP (2018). Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy. British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy,
Bolton, G. with Delderfield, R. (2018). Reflective Practice: Writing and Professional Development. SAGE Pub

Bond, T. (2015). Standards and Ethics for Counselling in Action (4th edition).Sage.

Hough, M. (2021). Counselling Skills and Theory. (5th edition) Hodder Education

McLeod J (2019). Introduction to Counselling and Psychotherapy (6th edition). OU Press

Lago , C. &Thompson, J. (1996). Race, Culture & Counselling. London: SAGE

Hedges, F. (2010). Reflexivity in Therapeutic Practice. Palgrave Macmillan

Stafford & Bond (2020). Counselling Skills in Action. Sage Pub.

Tuckwell, G. (2002). Racial Identity, White Counsellors and Therapists. Buckingham: OU Press.

Achieve a non-compensated pass on PSYC40817 Core Counselling Skills

Reflexivity is a key feature of the module and students are encouraged to reflect on personal and professional development through group participation, large and small group experiential exercises, triads and individual reflection. You will have the opportunity to develop your understanding of the importance of an ethical approach in a counselling setting. Ethical and professional issues will be considered, including concepts related to confidentiality, ethical dilemmas and the importance of supervision and practitioner self-care. You will develop an awareness of diversity and difference and the impact this may have on the therapeutic relationship.