Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2025
Course Code: HWSS6120C
Course Title: Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills
School: 535T Social Care and Health
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5432 - Diploma of Community Services
Course Contact: Bella Kelly
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4109
Course Contact Email: bella.kelly@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 use advanced and specialised communication skills in the client-counsellor relationship.
This unit applies to individuals whose job role involves working with clients on personal and psychological issues within established policies, procedures and guidelines.
This unit is delivered and assessed in a cluster with CHCSL001 Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CHCCSL002 Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills |
Element: |
1. Communicate effectively |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Identify communication barriers and use strategies to overcome these barriers in the client-counsellor relationship 1.2 Facilitate the client-counsellor relationship through selection and use of micro skills 1.3 Integrate the principles of effective communication into work practices 1.4 Observe and respond to non-verbal communication cues 1.5 Consider and respond to the impacts of different communication techniques on the client-counsellor relationship in the context of individual clients 1.6 Integrate case note taking with minimum distraction |
Element: |
2. Use specialised counselling interviewing skills |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Select and use communication skills according to the sequence of a counselling interview 2.2 Identify points at which specialised counselling interviewing skills are appropriate for inclusion 2.3 Use specialised counselling communication techniques based on their impacts and potential to enhance client development and growth 2.4 Identify and respond appropriately to strong client emotional reactions |
Element: |
3. Evaluate own communication |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Reflect on and evaluate own communication with clients 3.2 Recognise the effect of own values and beliefs on communication with clients 3.3 Identify and respond to the need for development of own skills and knowledge |
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
This course will have face to face on campus sessions
In-class activities:
- Teacher directed classroom learning activities
- teacher directed group activities/projects
- group discussion
- class activities to review discussions/lectures
- role play
- Guest Speakers
Out-of-class activities:
- independent assessment -based work,
- Reading and research
- independent study
- Placement (only for units which has placement requirement)
Teaching Schedule
| Week | Topic/s |
| Week 1 |
The origin of counselling What counselling is and what counselling isn't The qualities of an effective Counsellor The scope and nature of a counselling relationship Different schools/approaches of counselling The legal and ethical The Contract to Treat
|
| Week 2 |
The core conditions Empathy blocks The client/Counsellor helping The Person-Centred approach to Introduce Assessment Task 1: Knowledge Questions |
|
Week 3 Assessment Task 1 Due |
The 6 stages of the counselling process and the 3 stages of an individual session Organising and setting-up the initial The therapeutic framework Meet, Greet and Explaining the counselling How to ask for permission to How to explain an How to give What is SOLER? The communication process Assessment Task 1: Knowledge Questions Due |
| Week 4 |
Active listening Open and closed questions How to reflect feelings Mirroring Paraphrasing Summarising Focusing Normalising Reframing Confronting and challenging How to use silence How to end a session on time Counsellor/client anxiety Client resistance How to deal with client resistance Case conceptualisation The client counselling plan Therapeutic goals Counsellor/client feedback Introduce Assessment Task 2: Role Play 1 |
|
Week 5 Assessment Task 2 Due |
Counselling Assessment Task 2: Role Play1 |
|
Week 6
|
Case noting Challenging client Dealing with angry clients SLAP + DIRT Safety planning Manage overly talkative clients Dealing with crying clients Manage clients who constantly ask questions Dealing with clients who give gifts How to deal with feelings towards a client Introduce Assessment Task 3: Knowledge Questions |
|
Week 7 Assessment Task 3 Due |
The Cycle of Change The Window of Tolerance Anxiety and Depression Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Cognitive Behavioural Therapy strategies How to use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in a counselling session Assessment Task 3 Knowledge Questions Due
|
| Week 8 |
Solution Focused Therapy Some effective Solution Focused Therapy strategies How to use Solution Focused Therapy in a counselling session Gestalt Therapy How to use Gestalt Therapy Dream analysis Art Therapy Drama Therapy Music Therapy How creative therapies can be used in a session Confronting and Challenging The 3 different types of counselling endings Self-care Counsellor training options Introduce, Prepare and Practice Assessment Task 4: Role Play 2
|
|
Week 9 Assessment Task 4 Due |
Counselling Assessment Task 4: Role Play 2 |
| Week 10 |
Brining It All Together / Assessment Catch Up Week Review and evaluate overall learning/s |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:
The Learning Lab
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab
The Study Support Hub
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub
English for uni workshops
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/workshops/english-uni-workshops
Overview of Assessment
There are four individual assessment tasks consisting of role plays, and short answer questions.
Assessment Tasks
Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace. To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task. You will be given two (2) attempts for each assessment to demonstrate the required skills. A third (3rd) attempt can only be offered after discussions between teacher and the Program Coordinator and is not automatic. Resubmissions beyond two (2) attempts are at the discretion of the teacher and/or coordinator.
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These mapping documents are available through Program Administration if required.
The assessment Rubric is Available in Canvas.
Other Information
Attendance:
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises
It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully. You are required to attend a minimum of 80% of all classes to successfully complete each unit and all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.
Placement
To commence your placement which is a mandatory requirement for this course, you need a current working with children check and police check
information about your studies:
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students
Extensions of time for submission of assessable work:
If you are prevented from submitting an assessment on time by circumstances outside your control you may apply for an extension of up to seven (7) calendar days in writing (email) to your Program Coordinator one working day BEFORE the due date. Eligibility criteria for application and the form is available from the link: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work
Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration.
Special consideration:
If due to illness or other unforeseen circumstance, you are unable to attend on the due date of an assessment (e.g. test, examination, oral, etc.), you may submit an application for special consideration within 5 working days of the due date. If special consideration is granted, you will be given the opportunity to complete/repeat the assessment task at a later date. For advice on this application please visit www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration or speak to your Program Coordinator.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.
Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit
Course Overview: Access Course Overview