An ASSIGNMENT length 3,000 words weighted at 60%. (Learning outcomes 1 and 2).
This assignment will require students to provide evidence of critical understanding of fundamental tenets of counselling theories drawing on wider reading and research evidence.

A CLASS TEST duration 2 hours weighted at 40%. (Learning outcome 3).
This will consist of unseen case vignettes, asking students to write short answers focussing on professional, ethical and legal issues in counselling. Students will be asked demonstrate knowledge and understanding of ethical issues and their complexity and impact on counselling practice. The class test is designed to require students to reflect on scenarios in a specified time frame with no recourse to additional support or materials.

Formative assessment will take the form of frequent opportunities for tutor and peer feedback during interactive activities.

Be registered on BSc Psychology and Counselling award

Blackboard
Library
Video/DVD
Learning Resource Centre

Bond, T. (2000) Standards and Ethics for Counselling in Action. (2nd ed.). London: Sage.
Dryden, W. (Ed.). (2007). Dryden's Handbook of Individual Therapy (5th ed.). London: Sage.
Jenkins, P. (2007). Counselling, Psychotherapy and the Law (2nd ed.). London: Sage
Klein, M. (2006). The Psychodynamic Counselling Primer. Ross-on-Wye: PCCS Books.
Sanders, P. (2006). The Person-Centred Counselling Primer. Ross-on-Wye: PCCS Books.
Cooper, M., O'Hara, M., Schmid, P. & Wyatt, G. (Eds) (2007) The Handbook of Person-Centred Psychotherapy and Counselling. Basingstoke: Palgrave McMillan.
Trower, P., Casey, A., Dryden, W., and Fokias, D. (2005) Cognitive-behavioural Counselling in Action. (2nd ed.). London: Sage

This module provides in-depth and critical exploration of counselling theories. The theoretical approaches discussed in this module will be person-centred, cognitive behavioural and psychodynamic/systemic. The theories will be set in socio-cultural and historical contexts, and in the context of other helping professions. Similarities and differences will be explored critically and the case for and against integration of approaches will be investigated.

The second element of the module will focus on ethical and professional issues in counselling. Students will be expected to develop their understanding of ethics as fundamental to counselling. Students will have in-depth knowledge of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy's Ethical Framework and other ethical and legal obligations in counselling and will be able to apply their knowledge to case vignettes.

12 weekly 2 hour taught sessions plus weekly 2 hour seminar sessions. Lectures will be integrated with discussions, debates and interactive activities such as applying ethical principles and theoretical understanding to the use of counselling skills. Class based activities, for example, question and answer sessions and discussion of reading materials and discussion of interactive activities, will aid formative learning. The remainder of the study hours on the module will be spent preparing for class based sessions and in preparation for the assessments.