Since 1990, we have been proud to set the benchmark for service and support in external counselling studies throughout Australia. We are the only counselling educator in Australia to offer a complete external study support system that has been developed over many years of research and through continual feedback from students.
Study Assistance with Degree-qualified Education Advisers
As a student you have unlimited access to the Institute’s Toll Free 1300 Study Assistance Line. Our Degree-qualified Education Advisers are available between 9am and 5pm EST Monday to Friday to provide you with friendly academic support. Their main focus is to support you throughout your studies so that you are able to graduate in the time frame you set. This includes answering questions on assignment topics, personal coaching on assignment writing, and giving hints and tips on specific concepts. The Study Assistance Line is there if you feel you need the extra guidance.
Practical Experience
The structure of the Diploma of Professional Counselling ensures you graduate with a sufficient level of practical skill so that you can apply your counselling knowledge and skill with confidence. The course includes a number of compulsory practical components that cover a range of topics including Stress and Stress Management, Communication, Counselling and Interview Skills, Practical Application of Counselling Therapies and Group Counselling.
Because we have students who live anywhere in Australia, and indeed the world, we have a variety of options available to enable timely and effective completion of the practical components. Seminars give you the opportunity to apply the theory you have learned in contemporary counselling scenarios. It is also a great chance to get together with fellow students and participate in casework sessions under the guidance of a qualified Lecturer. To help facilitate your learning, our seminars use case scenarios relating to everyday, contemporary issues and provide a wonderful forum for group discussion and interaction. Seminars are held regularly in most capital cities throughout Australia.
Those students who may not be able to attend seminars for whatever reason, can elect to complete the practical components through alternate means. Students may choose to attend a one-on-one or small group session with a private assessor. We have qualified assessors available in many regional areas of Australia who are available to assist our students with completing their practical application.
Students are also able to complete their practical components by recording their demonstration of skills on video tape and sending in to us. We have detailed guidelines available to assist students compile their videos and develop effective role plays to demonstrate their skills.
Tutorials
Tutorials are an optional study support service that is available at many Student Support Centres. Tutorials provide you with specific support with each written subject. They are conducted as a two-hour mini-lecture and will assist you in understanding theory, provide you with tips on how to structure your study timetable, help you successfully compile your assignments and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
If you are unable to attend a tutorial, you are invited to call our Toll Free Study Assistance Line and have your questions answered over the phone.
Institute Website
The Institute website contains an Online Resource Centre where you can access many study support and e-learning functions through. You can:
- download your workbooks to complete your activities and upload for marking,
- contact an Online Education Adviser for study assistance,
- access a Knowledge Base of the most commonly asked questions for particular activities and concepts
- print out Study Hints and Tips for every Unit, and
- see when the next seminar in your area is on.
Unique Resources to Expand your Learning
The Institute has developed a range of unique resources to help you expand your knowledge and practical skills through your studies.
As a student, you automatically receive a complimentary subscription to ‘The Professional Counsellor’ newsletter. This newsletter is an industry-first publication and is full of practical case studies and counselling scenarios to test your skills and broaden your knowledge.
You also have the choice of linking into the monthly audio program, ‘Counselling Talkback’. This audio series reviews many topics covered in the Diploma and helps you apply them in a real life counselling situation. Some of the topics include Creating Empowering Affirmations, Strategies for Building Self-Confidence, How to Cope with Grief, How to Lead a Counselling Group, Learning to Live with Midlife Crisis, and many more.
We also have a large reference list of books and resource tools available for students who wish to broaden their reading. This list covers the areas of Counselling, Psychology, Sociology and Behavioural Science.
As you can see, irrespective of where you live, the Diploma of Professional Counselling can be effectively studied, with plenty of support and study options available for students.
| || |
