Certificate in Counselling or equivalent (minimum Level 3)

Blackboard VLE
Learning Resource Centre
Library (including e-resources)
Video/DVD
Video/DVD/ Digital audio recording equipment
Access to appropriate counselling suite

Dallos, R. (2006). Attachment Narrative Therapy: Integrating Narrative, Systemic and Attachment Therapies. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Dryden W, Branch R (Eds)(2012). The CBT Handbook. London: Sage.
Lapworth P, Sills C, (2009). Integration in Counselling & Psychotherapy: Developing a Personal Approach. London: Sage
Rose, C (2008). The Personal Development Group: The Students' Guide. London: Karnac
Rose, C. (2011). Self Awareness and Personal Development: Resources for Psychotherapists and Counsellors. Hampshire:Palgrave McMillan
Tolan, J, Wilkins P (2011). Client issues in Counselling and Psychotherapy: Person Centred Practice. London: Sage

This module will be incorporated within weekly 3 hour sessions over 30 weeks; half of a one-day workshop (6 hours) and half a residential weekend (7 hours). The work within sessions incorporates elements from both course modules.

The module includes experiential work in triads, small groups and larger groups (90 hours). These interactive sessions allow the student to develop their levels of self awareness, self acceptance and counselling skills through group discussion, self reflection and individual discussions with peers and tutors.

Additional independent study, including reading, both tutor recommended and self-directed will assist students in addressing weaker areas in both personal and professional development, as well as the development of their counselling skills practice (197 hours). Counselling practice will be modelled by tutors and through the use of appropriate DVD's/ Video tapes.

Independent Learning

Writing in journal 60 hours
Assessment preparation and planning of assignments 50 hours
Independent reading 87 hours

This module provides students with opportunities to practice counselling skills, developing them to the level required for safe, ethical and effective professional counselling practice. The module focuses on the consolidation of core skills and the ability to set appropriate contracts with clients. It is grounded in developing an awareness of self and others, drawing upon the origins, theoretical underpinnings and limitations of counselling theories to facilitate this. The emphasis within this module is on personal learning both within the group and through their reflexive capacity focusing on increasing the student's ability to process and enhance development of self awareness and self acceptance.

Students will need to complete a clinical skills assessment before being permitted to start a placement (placement providers will also have their own assessment process). This assessment will either need to be passed in this module or in PSYC60658 - Personal Development And Counselling Skills 2.

Summative Assessment:

The assessment for this module will be EITHER:

There are FOUR parts to the assessment for this module.

1. A CLINICAL SKILLS ASSESSMENT (zero weighted) (Learning Outcome 2) PASS/FAIL. A 20 minute simulated counselling session which is observed by 2 tutors. The student has to demonstrate effective skills required to build a therapeutic relationship, evidence of working within boundaries of time, ability to stay with the client's agenda and communication of core conditions. Following the session the student is required to discuss the session and feedback with tutors in order to demonstrate ability to reflect on practice.

2. A CRITIQUE of no more than 2000 words of the DVD submitted in the Portfolio (Weighted at 50%) (Learning Outcomes 1, 2 & 3) (Teaching Block 2)

3. A REFLEXIVE SUMMARY of no more than 2500 words of the personal development log, which must be kept throughout the academic year (Weighted at 50%) (Learning Outcomes 1, 2 & 3) (Teaching Block 2)

4. A PORTFOLIO containing (i) A DVD of a full counselling session (with a transcription of 20 minutes or 2 x 10 minutes) demonstrating safe, ethical and effective counselling practice, (ii) A satisfactory CRB clearance, (iii) Evidence of BACP membership) (iv) the Personal Development log (weighted at 0%) PASS/FAIL (Learning Outcomes 2, 3)

OR
There are THREE parts to the assessment for this module.

Summative Assessment:
1. A CRITIQUE of no more than 2000 words of the DVD submitted in the Portfolio (Weighted at 50%) (Learning Outcomes 1, 2 & 3) (Teaching Block 2)

2. A REFLEXIVE SUMMARY of no more than 2500 words of the personal development log, which must be kept throughout the academic year (Weighted at 50%) (Learning Outcomes 1, 2 & 3) (Teaching Block 2)

3. A PORTFOLIO containing (i) A DVD of a full counselling session (with a transcription of 20 minutes or 2 x 10 minutes) demonstrating safe, ethical and effective counselling practice, (ii) A satisfactory CRB clearance, (iii) Evidence of BACP membership) (iv) the Personal Development log (weighted at 0%) (Learning Outcomes 2, 3)

All elements of the module MUST be passed

Formative assessment
Students will be required to show their personal development log to tutors on at least one occasion during the module, where tutors will give feedback on the level of critical evaluation, self awareness and self acceptance required of students who wish to be professional counselling practitioners.
Additionally students will be regularly observed and assessed by peers and tutors on their ability to counsel safely, effectively and ethically. Personal reflection and peer group discussion will be used extensively.