Advanced Study Majors |
The Diploma of Counselling is supported by a number of optional Advanced Study Majors. Advanced Study Majors allow you to study and gain advanced knowledge and skill in the specialised counselling area of your choice. The Advanced Study Major Program involves the completion of one or more optional Advanced Study Majors in addition to the Diploma of Counselling.
The Majors provide you with the opportunity to specialise in any of the following highly relevant fields of counselling:
The Majors are specifically designed to provide you with a higher level of practical and theoretical knowledge in a specialised field of counselling. You are able to enrol into an Advanced Study Major at the time of your enrolment into the Diploma of Counselling, or at any subsequent time. The advantage of early enrolment in an Advanced Study Major is that studies can be completed concurrently with your Diploma. There is also no limit on the number of Advanced Study Majors you can undertake.
The Advanced Study Majors can be completed by either a home-study or face-to-face mode of study. Studying your ASM via the traditional home-study option follows a similar process as to completing your studies for the Diploma. Students are sent a workbook and readings for the ASM and submit their assessment for marking.
Alternatively, students are also able to complete their ASM by attending a workshop. Many students enjoy the interactive, practical workshops because they are a refreshing change from the traditional external study method and provide the opportunity to meet other students. Students also have the flexibility to change into this mode of study even after selecting the home-study option.
** Please note that whilst the Advanced Study Majors are highly relevant to specialty areas in counselling practise, by nature they do not form a part of the accredited curriculum. |
Abuse Counselling
Unfortunately, in today's society there is an increasing need for counsellor support for individuals and families who are victims of different forms of abuse. The Abuse Counselling Advanced Study Major provides a comprehensive insight into the subject of abuse and teaches the counsellor to deal with sensitive Abuse issues in a professional and practical manner.
Topics covered in this Advanced Study Major include:
- Defining different types of abuse and exploring the societal myths about abuse and abuse survivors
- Exploring partner abuse and domestic violence along with common intervention methods and programs
- The ethical and legal challenges and stresses of the role of abuse counsellor and how to address these challenges
- How to develop a trusting relationship with clients who have been abused
- Therapeutic techniques and approaches are explored
- Recognising when to refer clients who have suffered abuse to another professional, and
- Working with perpetrators of abuse.
|
|
Relationship Counselling
and Conflict Resolution
The Relationship Counselling and Conflict Resolution Advanced Study Major presents you with a thorough exploration of the complexities of human relationships in such a way that appropriate counselling solutions can be directly related to relationship problems. The Major includes popular therapeutic approaches and counselling techniques, along with application to current significant relationship trends to give this Major a contemporary, hands-on and solution orientated approach.
Topics covered in this Advanced Study Major include:
- the dynamics of interpersonal relationships, and recognising indications and contraindications for relationship counselling
- types of problems presented at relationship counselling
- the differences between men and women’s styles of communication
- key principles for effective work with couples and ways of solving relationship problems
- the process of relationship counselling including understanding client needs and concerns, applying the CUDSAIR Seven Step Model for Solving Relationship Problems and effectively terminating sessions with couples; divorce counselling and mediation
- exploring the dynamics of same-sex relationships and guidelines for appropriate counselling practice
- and professional and ethical challenges of being a Relationship Counsellor.
|
|
Career Counselling
Career Counselling is a specialised field of counselling which focuses on working with clients who are starting their careers or making a significant change in career. The Advanced Study Major progresses through the stages of career counselling: understanding the career needs of the client, the connection between values and attitudes and preferred career choice, and facilitating a client to make a successful career change. Several useful practical resources that Career Counsellors can apply in their work are also included.
Topics covered in this Advanced Study Major include:
- the importance of work and career in people's lives and factors that influence and impact on a person's choice of career
- identifying and clarifying a client's values and attitudes and their congruence with career choice
- gaining knowledge of the key theoretical perspectives and models of career counselling
- using appropriate tests in the assessment phase of career counselling
- career decision making and goal setting
- assisting clients to gain employment in their chosen career including searching for a job, developing a resume and application letters and preparing for an employment interview
- appreciating the issues of minority groups in relation to careers and employment.
|
Grief and Loss Counselling
The Grief and Loss Counselling Major is a very popular course that provides you with the knowledge and skills necessary for counselling clients who have experienced a significant loss and grief. All types of losses are considered along with the subsequent grief that occurs. The issues that accompany the loss of health, a loved one or a job must be confronted by all of us at some time or another.
Topics covered in this Advanced Study Major include:
- the types of loss that can result in a grief reaction
- exploring reactions to loss and grief within the definitions of 'normal' and 'complicated' grieving; the similarities and differences between men and women's grieving behaviour
- key models to explain responses to a significant loss
- principles for assessment and intervention in working with people who experience loss and grief
- practical application of skills in working with grief and loss clients, including self-evaluation
- identifying and arranging effective referral for clients to another professional
- and challenges and stresses in the role of Grief and Loss Counsellor.
|
Child Development
& Effective Parenting
Parents perform one of society's most important functions - they raise the next generation. Unfortunately, however, we are rarely taught the skills required for effective parenting. The Child Development and Effective Parenting Major is based upon behavioural principles which when applied are highly effective in bringing about positive and healthy behaviours for both the parent and the child. The program includes an easy to follow, step-by-step approach to effective parenting which can be readily applied or taught to parents by the counsellor.
Topics covered in this Advanced Study Major include:
- what behaviours to expect from children at different stages and ages
- effective methods for communicating with children
- resolving conflict between parents and children
- helping children to understand and deal with their feelings
- anger management in children
- the role of self, etc.
|
|
Workplace Counselling
The Workplace Counselling Advanced Study Major brings the specialised skills of counselling to the workplace. Its focus is upon workplace issues that adversely impact an employee's motivation, productivity and satisfaction with their job. Workplace issues are explored from two perspectives.
- When life interferes with work such as bereavement, relationship problems, depression, alcohol and drug dependence, and life stage crises, and
- When work interferes with life such as occupational stress, harassment, workplace violence, job loss, and survivor syndrome.
Topics covered in this Advanced Study Major include:
- the direct connections between job stress, motivation, productivity and job satisfaction
- common causes of stress for employees
- a variety of models used by Workplace Counsellors
- intervention techniques applied by Workplace Counsellors with their clients
- unique ethical and legal challenges in the role of Workplace Counsellor and ways to address these challenges.
|
|
Counselling Clients with Addictions
The Counselling Clients with Addictions Advanced Study Major brings together theoretical analysis and a wide scope of information on drug classification. This combination allows you to build a solid foundation in counselling clients with addictions through identifying drugs (including alcohol) and their effects physically, psychologically and emotionally.
Topics covered in this Advanced Study Major include:
- Synthesise knowledge of biological, psychological and social considerations in the formulation of a theory of addiction
- Determine the significance of contextual factors in the development and maintenance of addiction
- Differentiate between drug categories by analysing the defining effects and symptoms
- Classify psychoactive drugs
- Utilise knowledge of psychoactive drug classification and effects to help prepare clients for the potential impact of detoxification/ withdrawal.
|
|
Family Therapy
The Family Therapy Advanced Study Major is specifically targeted to students who want to be able to shift their counselling focus to dealing with families effectively by applying family therapy concepts.
Family therapy was brought together as a therapeutic framework by leading theorists that have driven this approach and its role in counselling today. Communication patterns between family members are identified and evaluated in terms of family structures and roles.
Topics covered in this Advanced Study Major include:
- The contributions of leading family theorists
- The family structure and multigenerational patterns
- Communication transactions in families
- The fundamental tenants of Postmodernism
- The influence of dominant social and cultural narratives on individuals and families
- Narrative principles in the practice of family therapy
- The use of narrative interventions in family therapy processes
- The use of the narrative techniques in practice
|
| | |
| |
