Each of the practical components relate very closely to the theory that you complete in your workbooks. So that you can derive maximum benefit from each practical component, you must have already completed the relevant theory before applying it in practice. Furthermore, as the skills and techniques covered in each practical component are progressively more advanced you are also required to complete certain practical components before undertaking others.

To ensure that you have covered the relevant theory and skills before you complete a practical component there are pre-requisites that you must first meet. The Workbooks and Practical Components that you must be assessed as "Competent" in before you can complete each of the practical components are as follows:

Please note that each of the practical components can be completed by attendance at a seminar or either of the two alternative assessment options.

The practical components of your course are designed to give you the opportunity to understand how the theory is applied in practice and to give you the opportunity to develop your counselling skills and techniques.

If possible, you should look at completing your first practical component as soon as possible after completing the Workbook for Unit 2. This will help you gain a greater understanding of the practical application of Counselling theory and will assist in your progress through upcoming course modules.

Your first seminar is an introduction to the fundamental basis of counselling - effective communication skills. You will be asked to demonstrate the skills of open and closed questioning, observation, active listening, feedback & reflection of feelings of the client. The primary purpose of each of these skills to the counselling process will also be explored in this one-day seminar.

This one-day seminar offers you the opportunity to explore & practice the skills involved in conducting a counselling interview. This includes using the model of interview structuring using focusing & attending skills, confrontation skills & influencing skills. Each of these skills is explored as a technique for facilitating change for the client.

The Counselling Process is a one-day seminar providing you with the opportunity to practice the counselling process with a client. You will facilitate the counselling process commencing with the initial session and continuing on to finalising the counselling relationship with a client. You will also explore the process of client reviews.

In this two-day practical seminar you will be asked to demonstrate a variety of counselling techniques specific to Behaviour Therapy, Person-Centred Therapy & Gestalt Therapy. You will also be asked to run some 'practice' counselling sessions, each of which will involve applying one of the therapeutic approaches. Counselling Therapies I is the first of two seminars that focuses on applying techniques from various counselling therapies.

Counselling Therapies II is a two-day practical seminar where you will have the opportunity to demonstrate counselling techniques specific to Cognitive Behavious Therapy & Solution Focussed Therapy. You will also be asked to run two 'practice' counselling sessions, each of which will involve applying one of the therapeutic approaches.

This seminar offers you the opportunity to explore the techniques and skills involved in case management. this two-day seminar provides an outline for practice as a counsellor, working independenttly or within an agency setting. You will be able to participate in role-plays & other activities in which you will demonstrate your ability to conduct case management meetings.

The units of Stress Management and Group Counselling are covered in a one-day seminar. You will be asked to demonstrate various stress remediation strategies in 'practice' counselling interviews. You will also be asked to demonstrate the skills involved in coordinating, managing & evaluating group processes. Thhis includes demonstrating facilitation skills & conflict resolution skills.