Course Title: Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2016

Course Code: HWSS6026C

Course Title: Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills

School: 365T Global, Urban and Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5334 - Diploma of Community Services (Financial counselling)

Course Contact: Jo Wallwork

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 3983

Course Contact Email: mary-josephine.wallwork@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 60

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

None.

Course Description

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop a structured approach to counselling using advanced and specialised communication skills.  The counselling skills developed within this cluster will be considered in a financial counselling context.

This course addresses four (4) units of competency:

• Work within a structured counselling framework CHCCSL501A
• Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills CHCCSL502A
• Facilitate the counselling relationship  CHCCSL503B
• Support counselling clients in decision-making processes CHCCSL507B

These four units are delivered and assessed together.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	CHCCSL502A Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills
Element:	E1. Communicate effectively in counselling practice 1.1 Identify the components of the communication process and primary factors that impact on the communication process 1.2 Identify communication barriers and apply strategies to overcome these barriers in the client-counsellor relationship 1.3 Demonstrate effective application of micro-skills within counselling practice to facilitate the client-counsellor relationship 1.4 Ensure work practices reflect the principles of effective communication and the sequence of a counselling interview 1.5 Identify the impact of communication techniques upon the client-counsellor relationship and use effective application of communication techniques in counselling practice
Performance Criteria:	1.1       Identify the components of the communication process and primary factors that impact on the communication process 1.2       Identify communication barriers and apply strategies to overcome these barriers in the client-counsellor relationship 1.3       Demonstrate effective application of micro-skills within counselling practice to facilitate the client-counsellor relationship 1.4       Ensure work practices reflect the principles of effective communication and the sequence of a counselling interview 1.5  Identify the impact of communication techniques upon the client-counsellor relationship and use effective application of communication techniques in counselling practice
Element:	E2. Use specialist communication skills in counselling interviews 2.1 Demonstrate effective use of confrontation skills in a counselling interview 2.2 Use confrontation skills appropriately aiming to achieve identified impacts and enhance client development and growth 2.3 Demonstrate effective use of focusing skills in a counselling interview 2.4 Use confrontation skills appropriately aiming to achieve pre-determined impacts and enhance client development and growth 2.5 Demonstrate effective use of influencing skills in a counselling interview 2.6 Use influencing skills appropriately aiming to achieve pre-determined impacts and enhance client development and growth
Performance Criteria:	2.1       Demonstrate effective use of confrontation skills in a counselling interview 2.2       Use confrontation skills appropriately aiming to achieve identified impacts and enhance client development and growth 2.3       Demonstrate effective use of focusing skills in a counselling interview 2.4       Use confrontation skills appropriately aiming to achieve pre-determined impacts and enhance client development and growth 2.5       Demonstrate effective use of influencing skills in a counselling interview 2.6  Use influencing skills appropriately aiming to achieve pre-determined impacts and enhance client development and growth

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. By applying these skills and this knowledge, you will be able to use specialised communication skills within a counselling process.  You will be able to use a structured approach to establish the counselling process; work with clients to clarify goals, options, and courses of action; and manage the counselling process to its conclusion.

Details of Learning Activities

 

In-class activities: 

• Teacher directed group activities/projects
• Peer teaching
• Group discussion
• Analysis/critique of work
• Industry speakers
• Class exercises to review discussions/lectures

Out-of-class activities: 

• Independent project based work
• Online and other research
• Independent study

Teaching Schedule

 

Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.
Week	Content	Assessment due	Units of competency addressed
1	Introduction to the course structure and assessment Introduction and overview of counselling Introduction to counselling relationship Ethics Boundaries Values & Beliefs Self-care Barriers Listening skills Paraphrasing Reflection of practice Role Play Activities – Active listening	Assessment 1 Due: 24 March 2016 (in class activity)	CHCCSL001 E1. E2. E3.
2	Stages of counselling Open Communication Working with clients Working as a financial counsellor and the role of counselling with the clients Rapport building Supporting the client’s Working with the client’s concerns and expectations Empathy and its place as a FC  Assessment 1- Role Play  (in class activity)	Assessment 2 Due 13 April 2016	CHCCSL001 E1. E2. E3.
3	Understanding open and closed question Working with client strength (strengths-based approach) Opening barriers Using effective communication Open and close questions  Reading Non-Verbal cues Role Play in class Reflective practice		CHCCSL002 E1. E2. E3.
4	Working as a financial counsellor and the role of counselling with the clients Listen to client story Understand sequence as a financial counselling Working with the client’s emotions Working in financial counselling - own values and beliefs Professional Development for the financial counsellor – role of FCRC Role Play in class		CHCCSL002 E1. E2. E3.
5	Client concerns  – your role Active listening Open questions Closed questions Body languages Linking their concerns to financial counselling   Reflecting back  on client concerns Monitoring where the client is at Working through the counselling and financial counselling process Supporting the client’s with an action plan Role Play in class Self-care	Assessment 3 Due 9 August 2016	CHCCSL003 E1. E2. E3. E4.
6	Code of conduct – Financial Counselling Acknowledgement of client’s story Your role as a financial counsellor Being able to identify all issues and work with the client  Reporting to your agency Case Management End the counselling session and give an outcome to the client Role Plays in class Self-Care		CHCCSL003 E1. E2. E3. E4.
7	Confidentiality The role of case-management Working with the client’s aims and goals Working through the client’s strengths Role Plays in class Self-Care	Assessment 4 Due 1 November 2016	CHCCSL007 E1. E2. E3.
8	Working thought the counselling process with the client Working on empowering the client Being solution-focused Working on alternatives with the client Referrals when needed Understanding how to end an interview Role plays in class Self care		CHCCSL007 E1. E2. E3.
9	Overview of all counselling units Self care		CHCCSL001 CHCCSL002 CHCCSL003 CHCCSL007

 

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

Overview of Assessment

 

Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through:

• Practical demonstration of skills
• Case study scenarios
• Written assignments/questions

Assessment Tasks

 

Assessment Task 1: Case Study and questions; Role Play (group)

Due date: 13 April 2016

Assessment Task 2: Case Study and questions; Role Play (group); Written responses

Due date: 4 July 2016

Assessment Task 3:Case Studies and questions; Role Play (group); Written responses

Due date: 9 August 2016

Assessment Task4:Case Studies and questions; Role Play (group); Written responses

Due date: 1 November 2016

Assessment Matrix

 

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These matrices are available through Program Administration.

Other Information

 

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students

Course Overview: Access Course Overview