In addition to those identified on the L2
Self in Context module descriptor:

McLeod, J. (2004). The Counsellor's Workbook: Developing a Personal Approach. Buckingham: Open University Press.
McLeod, J. (2007). Counselling Skill. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Palmer, S., & Bor, R. (Eds.). (2008). The Practitioner's Handbook. London: Sage.
Proctor, G., Cooper, M., Sanders, P., & Malcolm, B. (Eds.). (2006). Politicizing the person-centred approach: an agenda for social change. Ross-on-Wye: PCCS Books.

This module provides students with the opportunity to become more self-aware and practice counselling skills to the level required for safe use of counselling skills in voluntary settings and employment (not professional counselling). The module will focus on the development of core counselling skills grounded in awareness of self and others, and will draw upon the origins, theoretical underpinnings and limitations of counselling theories to facilitate this. Counselling skills practice and self-awareness are located in awareness of professional settings, client issues, theoretical traditions and research evidence. The module focuses on increasing self-awareness hand in hand with self-acceptance. The emphasis is on personal learning within the group and focuses on increasing ability to process and enhance development of self.

Weekly 4 hour sessions over 12 weeks. Students will work in small triad practice groups and larger personal development groups. Interactive sessions allow students to develop their practical counselling skills to the level of someone who is competent to use counselling skills as part of employment or voluntary work, but not as a professional counsellor. Formative tutor and peer feedback will be central. In addition these skills will be demonstrated by tutors and shown in video tapes. Part of the sessions will be devoted to increasing self-awareness and personal development of students, allowing them the opportunity to reflect on their learning of both personal and professional skills. Students will become aware of the impact of personal history and values on self and others, and how this might impact on their use of counselling skills. Links to theoretical and professional/ethical issues from the previous module will be made explicit throughout the module and students are expected to draw on this knowledge to integrate theoretical perspectives and personal and professional aspects into their use of counselling skills. Students are required to undertake additional reading to allow them to develop their practical skills in conjunction with self-awareness and critical evaluation of counselling theory, research and professional context.

1. Personal Development JOURNAL (pass/fail)
A personal development journal kept throughout the duration of the module recording personal learning and reflections on the process of being engaged in this module, and relationships with self and others. The whole journal will be submitted as evidence at the end of the module.

2. PORTFOLIO (weighted at 50%, to assess learning outcomes 1, 2 and 4)
The second element will be a 2,000 word critical summary of the journal. The summary will draw on personal, professional, ethical and theoretical strands and will be a critical evaluation of own development in the light of these strands.

3. A transcribed Video or Audio tape (pass/fail)
A Video or Audio tape (20 minutes or 2x10 minutes) and transcript of a counselling skills practice session with a peer demonstrating safe counselling skills.

4. A PROCESS REPORT (weighted at 50% to assess learning outcome 3)
A 2,000 word critique of the counselling session on tape (submitted under 3 above) in which students will be asked to provide evidence of understanding of safe use of counselling skills and demonstrate in-depth knowledge of counselling skills including critical evaluation of self as a beginning user of these skills.

Formative learning and feedback will be provided through feedback given by peers and tutor in their triad work

Be registered on BSc Psychology and Counselling award

Blackboard
Library
Video/DVD
Video/DVD/Cassette tape recording equipment
Learning Resource Centre
Access to counselling suite or equivalent