Course Title: Work within a structured counselling framework

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2015

Course Code: HWSS5999C

Course Title: Work within a structured counselling framework

School: 365T Global, Urban & Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5330 - Diploma of Community Services Work

Course Contact : Zaina Nehme

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4552

Course Contact Email:zainaindira.nehme@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Iren Citler

iren.citler@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 90

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Course Description

This course describes the knowledge and skills required to work within the agency’s agreed counselling model. The basic counselling skills described in this course are intended for application in the context of delivering a range of community services. Assessment may require additional knowledge specific to a particular community services or health sector.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCCSL501A Work within a structured counselling framework

Element:

1. Use a structured approach to counselling

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Use initial session to gather information as a foundation for counselling process
1.2 Follow a structured approach to counselling work based on client needs and expectations
1.3 Explain counselling process to clarify client's understanding and expectation

Element:

2. Establish the nature of the helping relationship

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Enable clients to understand the nature of the counselling service on offer
2.2 Clarify, confirm or modify clients' expectations of the counselling service
2.3 Identify any anxieties about the counselling process and explore with clients
2.4 Acknowledge and respect clients' immediate concerns
2.5 Clarify both expectations and commitment to the counselling relationship and confirm with clients
2.6 Identify indicators of client issues requiring referral and report or refer appropriately, in line with organisation requirements
2.7 Develop a plan for counselling and contract with client as required to address disclosure and organisation/service requirements

Element:

3. Confirm the appropriateness of the helping relationship

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Ensure own level of skill and knowledge of counselling methods and resources are appropriate to meet client needs
3.2 Explore alternatives to the proposed relationship with clients where appropriate
3.3 Affirm significance of what the client says
3.4 Promote clients' understanding of what they have a right to expect from the service


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements.


Details of Learning Activities

The learning activities for this course will be supported and complemented by RMIT’s learning management tool "Blackboard". Other essential learning activities will take place during the workshops, and you will also be required to undertake independent studies. Some of the learning activities that you will undertake are:
• Role plays
• Case study discussion
• Questions and answers
• Group work
• Completion of assessment tools
 


Teaching Schedule

This course has been grouped for delivery and is part of a cluster called: Introduction to Counselling. The other course forming this cluster is: CHCCSL507B Support clients with decision-making processes.

Class Topic Content
1 Background knowledge of the counselling process
  • Purposes of counselling
  • Meet and greet
  • Building a foundation/rapport and confidentiality
  • Become acclimatised to congruence/ unconditional positive regard/empathy
  • Different types of counselling and how each helps
2 Self-awareness
  • Trust based learning activity
  • Structured approach to counseling: explain counselling to clinician: roles and obligations
  • Duty of care
  • Framework
  • Collaboration
  • Empowerment
  • Closure
  • Clarifying the counselling process for client—their roles and expectations
3 Ethics, organisational policies and procedures
  • Policy—agency context
  • Purpose of confidentiality and policies and ethical conundrums
  • Gathering information
  • Introduction to forms— getting comfortable with intake, ITP/ISP and referral
4 Communication skills within a counseling framework
  • Communication skills: active listening, identifying issues, responding, and challenging.
5 The counselling relationship
  • The Counselling plan, methods and required resources
  • The counselling contract
  • The nature of the relationship
  • Alternative counselling:

• Group therapy
• Group support
• Community support
• Personal support

6 Procedures and policies
  • Clients rights
  • Grievances
  • Supervision and self-care
7 Applying counselling skills
  • Practice Counselling Techniques
  • Practical Techniques (group and one-to-one)


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

No prescribed text required.


References


Other Resources

You will be provided with the resources and tools for learning in this course. These resources will also be available through Blackboard. You will also have access to the resources in the library.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing and consists of progress reports based on a case study and participation in a role play where you will demonstrate counselling micro skills techniques.


Assessment Tasks

This course has been clustered (grouped) for assessment with the course CHCCSL507B Support clients with decision-making processes. For this cluster you will be required to complete the tasks below:

Assessment Task 1 - Case Study: This task is designed to capture your understanding of how to support a client, who may be experiencing complex issues within a structured counselling framework. This support will be provided as the client moves through different stages and encounters different issues in her life. Each stage will become available to you through handouts and via Blackboard at per-determined intervals. You will be required to document the support provided to the client at the level required, you will also need to demonstrate newly acquired counselling skills in group and one on one sessions. This major assessment task unfolds across the sessions.

Assessment Task 2 - Role Play (Counselling Session): for this tasks you will required to participate in a role play demonstrating micro counselling techniques while interviewing a client.


Assessment Matrix

This course is delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment, grades include:

CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did Not Submit for assessment

Other Information

Assessment Tasks Submission Cover Sheet
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work, including online submissions. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.

Attendance
It is strongly advised that you attend all workshops in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.

Feedback
You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your competency. Information regarding student feedback can be found at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=9pp3ic9obks7

Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. The Student progress policy can be found at:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=vj2g89cve4uj1

Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. Information regarding application for special consideration can be found at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. For more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity Web site: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kw02ylsd8z3n

Course Overview: Access Course Overview