Introductory description

In this module you will be asked to explore how counselling practitioners synthesise and apply their theoretical knowledge and backgrounds to work with clients presenting with a wide variety of issues and from a wide variety of contexts. You will be introduced to the work of a number of practitioners and explore practical themes in their work such as working with trauma, addiction, and working affirmatively with gender, sex and relationship diversity and with neurodivergent clients. You will be asked to explore how your own background, beliefs and values contribute to and impact on your integrative practice, and to explain how you might integrate theoretical learning from the course into a personal integrative approach.

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.

Exploration of specific client issues and contexts and how to work specifically with particular client groups
Specialist input around topics such as trauma, abuse, addiction, neurodiversity, GSRD, creative and spiritual approaches
Continuing to describe and refine own personal integrative approach through a reflexive lens, synthesising knowledge of a variety of counselling theories and approaches, and understanding of own personal values and context
Applying theoretical knowledge to practical work with clients and understanding how different practitioners approach their work in various settings
Reflection on personal learning

Learning outcomes

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

• Define and critically appraise own integrative approach with reference to theories of counselling and psychotherapy
• Analyse personal context, values and identity in relation to own integrative approach
• Apply own integrative approach to a variety of presenting client issues and contexts
• Determine own personal learning and CPD needs and goals for the future
• Describe personal learning from the course

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Specific reading list for the module

Subject specific skills

Thorough theoretical understanding of therapeutic (including integrative) theory and application
Refined ability to assess and formulate client needs
Confident application of therapeutic theory to counselling strategies and interventions
Refined level of reflective counselling theory-to- practice
Critical analysis and evaluation of theory and research for practice and professional development

Transferable skills

Capacity to acquire further knowledge and skills and incorporate into working model for practice
Ability to communicate skillfully both orally and in writing - to include skills such as the ability to articulate sophisticated concepts and arguments, and convey these clearly in written communications where appropriate
Critically evaluate theories and effectively apply to decisions about practice
Confident use of IT skills, including word processing facilities and a capacity to access library information adeptly in support of application of theory and research to practice
Ability to use virtual learning environments to enhance rich theoretical learning and application
Identify a refined range of appropriate sources of information and to extract relevant information to suit specific contexts
Self reflection and awareness