Master of Counselling

This subject introduces students to counselling as a profession. Students will learn about the development of the counselling profession, its relationship to other professions and its future directions. The subject introduces students to a trans-theoretical counselling framework and includes topics such as characteristics of effective counsellors; the role of the therapeutic relationship and therapeutic techniques in facilitating client outcomes; counselling in a culturally diverse society, and ethical issues in counselling practice.

This subject focuses on stages of counselling that are common across therapeutic approaches, including the development of the therapeutic relationship; clarifying concerns; goal-setting; applying techniques and interventions, termination and evaluation. Students reflect upon and analyse the effect of the counsellor’s Self on the counselling process and apply their knowledge of the stages of the counselling process in initial and final counselling session role-plays.

This subject focuses on stages of counselling that are common across therapeutic approaches, including the development of the therapeutic relationship; clarifying concerns; goal-setting; applying techniques and interventions, termination and evaluation. Students reflect upon and analyse the effect of the counsellor’s Self on the counselling process and apply their knowledge of the stages of the counselling process in initial and final counselling session role-plays.This unit introduces students to the foundational practical skills of counselling. Students will develop an understanding of the key therapeutic conditions required to facilitate change and the role counselling skills play in establishing and maintaining those conditions. Students will learn through direct teaching, demonstration and supervised practice and will demonstrate key skills and integrate these into a counselling session.

This subject introduces students to the ethical principles that inform counselling practice and ethical issues and dilemmas counsellors face. Students will reflect upon and analyse their own beliefs, values, attitudes and biases to understand how these may impact on their counselling practice. They will evaluate counselling scenarios to clarify and develop solutions to ethical dilemmas common in counselling practice, including those relating to confidentiality, client rights, dual relationships, and values conflicts.

Integral to this subject, students will develop reflective practice skills to assist in ongoing selfevaluation and personal and professional development. Students will also examine the role of supervision in ensuring ethical professional practice, and will learn skills involved in providing supervision to others.

This subject examines physical, cognitive, emotional, social and moral human development across the lifespan. Students will identify developmental issues that occur as part of normal human development, as well as issues that may occur when development is impaired or delayed. Students will evaluate various theories of development and apply these to case studies.

This subject provides students with an in-depth understanding of the theoretical foundations, concepts, processes and techniques of cognitive-behavioural counselling approaches. Students will learn to use these approaches in counselling sessions and will evaluate the differences between cognitive-behavioural approaches, including an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses and applications of each.

This subject provides students with an in-depth understanding of the theoretical foundations, concepts, processes and techniques of collaborative and competency-based counselling approaches. Students will learn to use these approaches in counselling sessions and will evaluate the differences between approaches, including an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses and applications of each.

In this subject, students learn the principles and skills of assessment and case conceptualisation. Students will distinguish issues suitable for counselling intervention from those requiring mental health or other interventions, and will learn to use assessment tools and methods appropriate for counselling settings. In addition students will be introduced to a case-conceptualisation framework and will learn to conceptualise cases and plan treatment from behavioural, cognitive, feminist, emotion-focused, dynamic, family, transtheoretical, and constructivist theoretical perspectives.

In this 12 credit subject, students will learn the role research plays in professional counselling practice and will examine the contributions counsellors can make to the generation of research. Students will review quantitative and qualitative research methods relevant to counselling practice, apply basic statistical procedures and interpret statistical information in counselling research. Particular attention will be paid to qualitative research designs such as narrative analysis and single-case studies, as students may use these when they undertake the capstone project in Semester 4.

This subject offers students the opportunity to gain experience with and exposure to practical counselling issues in a supervised counselling environment. Students will spend a total of 168 hours on placement, including 12 hours of agency supervision.

In conjunction with the counselling placement, the Capstone Project component of the subject allows students to synthesise and integrate knowledge and skills gained throughout the course into counselling practice. Students begin their Capstone Project by preparing a plan detailing how they will integrate course outcomes into both their placement activities and their professional lives on completion of their degree. Students then undertake projects which may relate to their placement (e.g., case study or service evaluation) or may address issues that affect the counselling industry in some way (e.g., develop and administer a survey regarding counsellor burnout).

This subject examines the effects of crisis and trauma on individuals and families. The relationship between stress, crisis and trauma is explored, and students learn interventions that address both the immediate and the longer term effects of traumatic events. Approaches suitable for diverse counselling populations are examined and the concept of vicarious traumatisation is addressed.

This subject introduces students to theoretical concepts and intervention strategies associated with contemporary family therapy. Students will gain knowledge and understanding in areas relating to family dynamics, diversity and develop specific skills to guide family therapy practice.

This subject focuses on the theory and practice of counselling with children and adolescents. Students will learn to respond appropriately to this client group as well as identify and address specific issues that may arise including behavioural problems, family conflict, self-harm, identity issues, abuse and violence, and school issues such as bullying. Ethical and legal issues are addressed in this unit, and students will learn appropriate responses to these.

This subject introduces students to theories of substance misuse and addiction, including intervention strategies to address addiction issues. Students will develop an understanding of the relationship between social, biological and psychological factors of addiction and will consider contextual and cultural factors in the development and maintenance of addictive patterns of behaviour. Motivational interviewing and primary, secondary and tertiary relapse prevention strategies will be covered.

This subject explores the experience of loss and grief and introduces students to conceptual models of the grieving process as well as counselling approaches to use with clients experiencing loss and grief. Students will learn to assess and respond appropriately to complicated and traumatic grief.

Students are introduced to the theory and practice of counselling with couples. Students will learn to critically analyse dynamics and issues in relationships, including those relating to conflict, violence and abuse. Students will be introduced to different therapeutic approaches and provided with the opportunity to develop relevant practical skills.

This subject introduces students to the use of digital technologies and online platforms to deliver effective and accessible counselling therapy. Fundamental counselling theories and techniques are examined and critiqued for online delivery and students will revisit key ethical concepts pertaining to boundaries, privacy and security. Opportunity will be provided for students to actively engage and practice online counselling skills.

This subject provides an insight into mental health conditions and their presentation in counselling. Students develop knowledge of indicators and support options for people with a variety of mental health issues and analyse case studies to identify support options and appropriate referral pathways. Using a recovery model and understanding of the lived experience, students will establish a framework for working with clients facing mental health challenges.