Contact Hours: 80 hours of class time including lectures and small group work

Independent study: 120 hours of Reading, Assessment preparation, Personal reflection and journal writing

The module takes place weekly, from weeks 11-20.

The residential weekend facilitates personal and professional development as well as building a cohesive cohort, essential when exploring personal experiences and developing counselling skills.

The ‘self in relation to others’ module will include discussions, experiential exercises, working in triads and larger groups. The interactive lectures will include tutor led presentations and facilitated discussions of ethical and professional issues as well as diversity and power in the therapeutic relationship. 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 of power, inequalities and identities 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.

1. Describe and comment on current psychological research, evaluating a range of factors influencing the counselling process in terms of diversity (i.e. groups, families, culture, gender) that are at the forefront of counselling work. Analysis, Communication

2. Demonstrate understanding of personal values, beliefs and experiences and the complex ways these impact on self and self in relation to others, being mindful of diversity and difference to facilitate working professionally. Reflection, Learning

3. Demonstrate an understanding of the uncertainty, ambiguity, and limits of knowledge. Learning

4. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline leading to working in a culturally competent manner. Knowledge & Understanding

Computer and projection facilities for lectures
A flat room structure for small group work
Counselling textbooks
Access to Learning Resource Centre and library facilities
External venue for residential weekend

BACP. (2018). BACP ethical framework

Charura, D., and Lago, C. (2021). Black identities and white therapies: race, respect and diversity. PCCS Books

Proctor, G. (2017). The Dynamics of Power in Counselling and Psychotherapy: Ethics, Politics and Practice (2nd ed.). PCCS Books.

Richards, C., and Barker, M.J. (2013). Sexuality and gender for mental health professionals. London: Sage

Wheeler, S. (2006). Difference and diversity in counselling. Contemporary psychodynamic approaches. Red Globe Press

Level 3 Certificate in Counselling, face to face
Prior experiences and/or alternative qualifications may be accepted where possible

How do gender, race, sexuality, disability, class and a variety of other factors impact on you as a person and as a professional? In this module we will examine our relationship to all of these and more, in order to become culturally competent counsellors working with a variety of areas.

1: An open book short answer exam with two answers required. You will be given a short vignette structured as an ethical dilemma, and using the BACP ethical framework you must evidence how you might respond in an appropriate manner. Secondly you will be asked to reflect on the application of the ethical framework in your skills practice or client work and to consider your developing identity as a counsellor in relation to structural identities and intersectionality (LO 1,2,3,4).



This assessment asks you to discuss your own ethics, morals, and values in relation to client demographics and the therapy relationship

This module will introduce students to inequalities, identities and power issues in therapy (Proctor, 2017) and specific ethical issues in relation to the BACP ethical framework. We begin with the dynamics of power in therapy, followed by sessions on anti-discriminatory work and issues of class, racism, culture, gender sexuality, spirituality and religion and students will develop a stronger awareness of these topics and how they may impact on the counselling relationship.

This module will increase students’ awareness of their personal identity and how this might impact on other relationships, including the therapy relationship. Students will demonstrate this awareness in their skills sessions.