Certificate in Counselling or equivalent

Bayne, R (1996). New Directions in Counselling. London: Routledge
Bond, T (2000). Standards and Ethics for Counselling in Action. London: Sage.
Jenkins P (2002). Legal Issues in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Ethics in Practice). London: Sage
Prochaska, J. O. & Norcross, J. C. (2007) Systems of Psychotherapy: A Transtheoretical Analysis (6th Ed.) Belmont, CA: Thomson/Brooks-Cole
Wilkins, P (1996) Personal and Professional Development for Counsellors (Professional Skills for Counsellors). London: Sage

Counselling textbooks
Learning Resource Centre
Access to video/DVD recording and playing equipment

Summative assessment
A CLASS TEST duration 2 hours, consisting of unseen case vignettes, asking students to write short answers focussing on professional, ethical and legal issues in counselling. Weighted at 100%.

This will ask students to:
1. Provide evidence of their knowledge of the complexity of ethical issues and their grounding in ethical frameworks
2. Demonstrate their ability to evaluate ethical frameworks and legal requirements in relation to client issues, supervisory arrangements

Formative assessment
Students will receive regular tutor feedback on the development of the professional, ethical and legal aspects of their practice. Students will also engage in peer feedback.

This module will be incorporated in weekly 6 hour sessions over 30 weeks, two one day workshops and residential weekend (the sessions incorporate elements from all modules). This module includes working in peer groups, tutor-led and student-led discussion allowing for exploration of issues in depth. There will be tutor-guided reading to assist in developing a broad base of professional knowledge and skills required to make informed ethical decisions. The legal ramifications of counselling will be taught in conjunction with tutor-guided reading.

The Professional, Legal and Ethical Studies 1 module provides students with the opportunity to ground their practical and theoretical knowledge and skills in the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy's (BACP) ethical framework. Other professional frameworks (such as the British Psychological Society regulations) and legal and ethical requirements will also be evaluated. Students are encouraged to develop their own moral and ethical principles based on reviews of among others, issues of confidentiality, therapeutic boundaries, ethical dilemmas and clinical supervision.