Introductory description

NEEDED

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

History and development of counselling and psychotherapy.
Differences between counselling, psychotherapy and counselling and other helping skills.
Philosophical bases of the Humanistic / Person-centred, Psychodynamic, and Cognitive Behavioural approaches.
Humanism, Relativism, Determinism, Existentialism, Phenomenology, Transpersonal Philosophy of Adult Learning (Friere, Schon etc.).
Self-actualisation, Transference, Automatic Thoughts and other psychological processes which relate to, and help apply, the philosophical bases.
The six necessary and sufficient conditions for therapeutic growth and other principles which relate to, and help apply, the philosophical bases.
Introduction to values and ethics in counselling and psychotherapy.
Social and cultural issues and valuing difference in counselling and psychotherapy.
Introduction to active listening skills with formative feedback (only).
Introduction to self-awareness and personal development.
Introduction to the place of research in the field.
Principles for working in a group.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Develop a critical understanding of, and explain, the key historical developments leading to the establishment of counselling and psychotherapy as a helping profession.
• Develop a critical understanding of, and explain, the differences and similarities between counselling and psychotherapy.
• Develop a critical understanding and explain the main philosophical principles underpinning the three main modalities in counselling and psychotherapy: Psychodynamic, Cognitive behavioural and Humanistic/Person-Centred, and an initial awareness of how these are reflected in practice.
• Develop a critical understanding and explain the basic principles involved in working as a counsellor or psychotherapist, including training, professional, ethical and cultural considerations.
• Understand and practice the principles of introductory active listening skills.

Indicative reading list

BACP. (2015) Ethical Framework. Lutterworth: BACP Pub.
wwwbacp.co.uk/ethical_ framework
Bond T. (2009) Standards & Ethics for Counselling in Action (3rd Ed.).
London: Sage. 0-8039-8646-7
Douglas T. (2000) Survival in Groups. Bucks:OU Press. 0-335-19412-5 Dryden W. (2006) Counselling in a Nutshell. London: Sage. 1-4129-1132-X Howard A. (2000) Philosophy for Counselling and Psychotherapy: Pythagoras to Postmodernism. London: Palgrave. 0-9780-33375-098-8
Jacobs M. (2010)
Psychodynamic Counselling in Action (4th Ed.).
London: Sage. 1-84920-803-1
Lister-Ford C. (2007)
A Short Introduction to Psychotherapy.
London: Sage. 1-978-0-7619-7304
Mearns D., Thorne B & Mcleod J. (2012)
Person Centred Counselling in Action (4th Ed.).
London: Sage. 978-1-446-25253-6
Merry T. (2002) Learning and Being in Person- Centred Counselling (2nd Ed.).
Ross on Wye: PCCS Books.
978-1-898059-24-0
Neenan M. & Dryden W. (2011)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in a Nutshell (2nd ed.).
London: Sage. 1-4129-0771-3
Sanders P. (2006) The Person Centred Primer. Ross on Wye: PCCS Books.
978-1- 898059-80-6
Sanders P. (2003) Step Into Study Counselling (3rd Ed.).
Ross on Wye: PCCS Books.
1-898059-64-0

Subject specific skills

Demonstrate clear understanding of the differences between counselling and
psychotherapy, and the use of counselling skills.
Understand the philosophical principles which underpin the person-centred, psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural approaches to counselling and psychotherapy.
Understand and explain the basic professional and ethical and considerations involved in working as a counsellor or psychotherapist including knowledge of the British Association for Counselling (BACP) Ethical Framework.
Understand the need to refer to relevant research findings in counselling and psychotherapy.
Understand the basic principles of self- awareness and personal development.
Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of theories of valuing difference, cultural competence and their importance in counselling and psychotherapy.
Understand the work and roles of other health professionals in the field of mental health.
Understand and explain the qualities needed to work as a counsellor with clients.
Understand and explain the main ways people can train and qualify in each of the three main modalities.

Transferable skills

Retrieve, assess and evaluate information from a variety of sources.
Demonstrate appropriate skills of oral and written analysis and communication.
Work with others on group learning tasks.
Evaluate their own developing knowledge and skills.
Compare and contrast counselling and psychotherapy (and counselling skills).
Give constructive feedback to other students as they practice active learning skills and learn and
apply feedback from others about their listening skills.
Compare and contrast main philosophical principles underpinning the three main
modalities in counselling and psychotherapy: Psychoanalytic, Cognitive-Behavioural and Humanistic/Person-Centred.