Welcome to Edition 102 of Institute Inbrief. Parenting a "problem" adolescent is one of the greatest parenting challenges. In this edition we conclude our 2-part series aimed at helping parents who are struggling to deal with their adolescent children. 

Also in this edition:

• Using Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy
• Work-Life Balance: Ways to Restore Harmony and Reduce Stress
• Review - Historical Background of Five Theoretical Models
• Counselling Connection updates
• Upcoming Seminar Dates
• Resources, events and opportunities

Enjoy your reading!

Editor

The Diploma of Professional 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 Professional Counselling. The Majors provide you with the opportunity to specialise in any of the following highly relevant fields of counselling:

• Abuse Counselling
• Relationship Counselling and Conflict Resolution
• Career Counselling
• Grief and Loss Counselling
• Child Development and Effective Parenting
• Workplace 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 Professional 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 external or face-to-face mode of study. Studying your ASM via the traditional external 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 external option.

For further information about the Diploma and the ASM Program, please contact your closest Student Support Centre.

Did You Know?

Did you know that in the past 18 years AIPC courses have assisted over 55,000 people from 27 countries pursue their dream of becoming a counsellor?

This makes our courses the most highly regarded and sought after in the world. Our students enjoy the piece of mind they'll gain from a thorough education with flexible training options and comprehensive personal support. 

Our primary focus is to provide you with the highest quality counsellor education programs together with a full range of student support functions. As a student with the Institute, you are assured of:

• An excellent level of educational service with a variety of study options such as self-paced, home-study and online study options.

• Undertaking renowned counselling courses that have evolved from many years of dedicated research and development.

• Obtaining practical experience and educational support through seminars, workshops, optional in-class studies and tutorials.

• A range of study assistance options.

More information? Visit our course information page at www.aipc.net.au/course_dippro.php or refer to the links below for specific information about each qualification:

• Diploma of Professional Counselling
• Bachelor of Counselling
• Vocational Graduate Courses

Communicating Successfully with Small Groups

22^nd and 23^rd September 2009

Advanced Facilitation Training provides you with a negotiated power base in order to get the most out of your one-on-one interactions, meetings, lectures, training or group sessions.

This workshop will maximise:

• The Role of a Facilitator
• Participation vs. Outcomes
• Effectively Working with Differences
• Change Dynamics

Fee: $299 (payable by 10^th September) / Morning and Afternoon tea provided

Venue: St. Nicholas Centre / 14 Council Avenue, Rockingham, WA, 6168

To book your place in this challenging and interactive training, contact:

Name: Jules Donkin

Phone: 0431 626 744

Email: jules@jdfacilitation.com.au

Web: www.jdfacilitation.com.au

Work-Life Balance: Ways to Restore Harmony and Reduce Stress

According to the Australian National Occupational Health and Safety Commission Report, December 2003, high stress levels lead to thousands of stress-related WorkCover claims every year.

Cases of mental stress had by far the highest median (8.5 weeks) and average (16 weeks) time lost, and accounted for 29% of all new cases of disease.  This is way above the median of 3.4 weeks lost and average of 9.3 weeks for all new cases of injury or disease.

Stress in the workplace is common and caused by many different factors and issues. Many problems may never be fully resolved and the amount of stress a person experiences is often determined by whether or not they can accept that some things in life will simply never be sorted out to their satisfaction. For instance, a person may feel stressed by the way they are treated by their employer, or the behaviour of a work colleague.

Sometimes this stress can be resolved by dealing with the particular behaviour as in many organisations, there are processes that can be followed to deal with workplace problems like harassment, victimisation or unfair treatment. If your work life and personal life are out of balance, your stress may be running high. Here's how to reclaim control.

Finding work-life balance in today's frenetically-paced world is no simple task. Spend more time at work than at home and you miss out on a rewarding personal life. Then again, if you're facing challenges in your personal life such as caring for an aging parent or coping with marital or financial problems, concentrating on your job can be difficult.

Whether the problem is too much focused on work or too little, when your work life and your personal life feel out of balance, stress - and its harmful effects - is the result. To take control, first consider how the world of work has changed, then re-evaluate your relationship to work and apply the strategies for striking a more healthy balance as described in this guide.

How work invades your personal life: There was a time when employees showed up for work Monday through Friday and worked eight to nine hours. The boundaries between work and home were fairly clear then. But the world has changed and, unfortunately, the boundaries have blurred for many workers. Here's why:

• Global economy. As more skilled workers enter the global labor market and companies outsource or move more jobs to reduce labour costs, people feel pressured to work longer and produce more to protect their jobs.

• International business. Work continues around the world 24 hours a day for some people. If you work in an international organisation, you might be on call around the clock for troubleshooting or consulting.

• Advanced communication technology. People now have the ability to work anywhere - from their home, from their car and even on vacation. And some managers expect that.

• Longer hours. Employers commonly ask employees to work longer hours than they're scheduled. Often, overtime is mandatory. If you hope to move up the career ladder, you may find yourself regularly working more than 40 hours a week to achieve and exceed expectations.

• Changes in family roles. Today's married worker is typically part of a dual-career couple, which makes it difficult to find time to meet commitments to family, friends and community.

If you've experienced any of these challenges, you understand how easy it is for work to invade your personal life.

Overtime obsession: It's tempting to work overtime if you're an hourly employee. By doing so, you can earn extra money for a child's university education or a dream vacation. Some people need to work overtime to stay on top of family finances or pay for extra, unplanned expenses.

If you're on salary, working more hours may not provide extra cash, but it can help you to keep up with your workload. Being willing to arrive early and stay late every day may also help earn that promotion or bonus.

Before you sign up for overtime, consider the pros and cons of working extra hours on your work-life balance:

• Fatigue. Your ability to think and your eye-hand coordination decrease when you're tired. This means you're less productive and may make mistakes. These mistakes can lead to injury or rework and negatively impact your professional reputation.

• Family. You may miss out on important events, such as your child's first bike ride, your father's 60th birthday or your high-school reunion. Missing out on important milestones may harm relationships with your loved ones.

• Friends. Trusted friends are a key part of your support system. But if you're spending time at the office instead of with them, you'll find it difficult to nurture those friendships.

• Expectations. If you work extra hours as a general rule, you may be given more responsibility. This could create a never-ending and increasing cycle, causing more concerns and challenges.

Sometimes working overtime is important. It's a choice you can make to adjust to a new job or new boss or to pay your bills. If you work for a company that requires mandatory overtime, you won't be able to avoid it, but you can learn to manage it.

If you work overtime by choice, do so in moderation. Most importantly, say no when you're too tired, when it's affecting your health or when you have crucial family obligations.

Striking the best work-life balance: It isn't easy to juggle the demands of career and personal life. For most people, it's an ongoing challenge to reduce stress and maintain harmony in key areas of their life. Here are some ideas to help you find the balance that's best for you:

• Keep a journal. Write down everything you do for one week. Include work-related and non-work-related activities. Decide what's necessary and satisfies you the most. Cut or delegate activities you don't enjoy, don't have time for or do only out of guilt. If you don't have the authority to make certain decisions, talk to your supervisor.

• Take advantage of your options. Find out if your employer offers flex hours, a compressed work week, job-sharing or telecommuting for your role. The flexibility may alleviate some of your stress and free up some time.

• Manage your time. Organise household tasks efficiently. Doing one or two loads of laundry every day rather than saving it all for your day off, and running errands in batches rather than going back and forth several times are good places to begin. A weekly family calendar of important dates and a daily list of to-dos will help you avoid deadline panic. If your employer offers a course in time management, sign up for it.

• Rethink your cleaning standards. An unmade bed or sink of dirty dishes won't impact the quality of your life. Do what needs to be done and let the rest go. If you can afford it, pay someone else to clean your house.

• Communicate clearly. Limit time-consuming misunderstandings by communicating clearly and listening carefully. Take notes if it helps.

• Let go of the guilt. Remember, having a family and a job is okay - for both men and women.

• Nurture yourself. Set aside time each day for an activity that you enjoy, such as walking, working out or listening to music.

• Unwind after a hectic workday by reading, practicing yoga or taking a bubble bath.  Sitting down and watching the news is NOT recommended for relaxation or unwinding as many studies advise the news creates an upward shift in anxiety and stress levels.

• Set aside one night each week for recreation. Take the phone off the hook; turn off the computer and the TV. Discover activities you can do with your partner, family or friends, such as playing golf, fishing, bike riding or walking on the beach. Making time for activities you enjoy will refresh you.

• Protect your day off. Try to schedule some of your routine chores on workdays so that your days off are more relaxing.

• Get enough sleep. There's nothing as stressful and potentially dangerous as working when you're sleep-deprived. Not only is your productivity affected, but you can also make costly mistakes. You may then have to work even more hours to make up for these mistakes.

• Bolster your support system. Give yourself the gift of a trusted friend or co-worker to talk with during times of stress or hardship. If you're part of a religious community, take advantage of the support your religious leader can provide. Ensure you have trusted friends and relatives who can assist you when you need to work overtime or travel for your job.

• Seek professional help. Everyone needs help from time to time. If your life feels too chaotic to manage and you are constantly worrying about it, talk with a professional such as your doctor, a psychologist, a counsellor or a life coach.

And if you're experiencing high levels of stress because of marital, financial, chemical dependency or legal problems, a counsellor can link you to helpful services in your community.

Balance doesn't mean doing everything. Examine your priorities and set boundaries. Be firm in what you can and cannot do.

Only you can restore harmony to your lifestyle.

Source: www.aipc.net.au/eguides

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Many students of the Diploma of Professional Counselling attend seminars to complete the practical requirements of their course. Seminars provide an ideal opportunity to network with other students and liaise with qualified counselling professionals in conjunction with completing compulsory coursework.

Below are some of the seminars available in 2009. To register for a seminar, please contact your Student Support Centre.

BRISBANE

Communication Skills I - 05/12/09

Communication Skills II - 19/09/09, 14/11/09

The Counselling Process - 22/08/09, 24/10/09

Counselling Therapies I - 21 & 22/11/09

Counselling Therapies II - 12 & 13/12/09

Case Management - 17 & 18/10/09

Counselling Applications - 28/11/09

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Communication Skills I - 17/10/09

Communication Skills II - 22/08/09, 14/11/09

The Counselling Process - 26/09/09

Counselling Therapies I - 10 & 11/10/09

Counselling Therapies II - 21 & 22/11/09

Case Management - 05 & 06/12/09

Counselling Applications - 07/11/09

TASMANIA

Communication Skills I - 15/11/09

Communication Skills II - 20/09/09, 06/12/09

The Counselling Process - 18/10/09

Counselling Therapies I - 12 & 13/12/09

Counselling Therapies II - 10 & 11/10/09

Case Management - 21 & 22/11/09

Counselling Applications - 29/11/09

SYDNEY

Communication Skills I - 10/09/09, 10/09/09, 28/09/09, 26/10/09, 23/11/09

Communication Skills II - 11/09/09, 29/09/09, 27/10/09, 24/11/09, 11/12/09

The Counselling Process - 22/08/09, 26/09/09, 16/10/09, 14/11/09, 05/12/09

Counselling Therapies I - 29 & 30/10/09

Counselling Therapies II - 28 & 29/08/09, 16 & 17/11/09

Case Management - 24 & 25/09/09, 26 & 27/11/09

Counselling Applications - 30/10/09, 12/12/09

MELBOURNE

Communication Skills I - 03/09/09, 03/10/09, 29/10/09

Communication Skills II - 04/09/09, 04/10/09, 30/10/09, 22/11/09

The Counselling Process - 22/08/09, 11/09/09, 13/09/09, 10/10/09, 22/10/09

Counselling Therapies I - 05 & 06/09/09, 08 & 09/10/09, 07 & 08/11/09

Counselling Therapies II - 24 & 25/09/09, 17 & 18/10/09, 19 & 20/11/09

Case Management - 09 & 10/08/09, 20 & 21/09/09, 29 & 30/11/09

Counselling Applications - 12/09/09, 18/09/09, 23/10/09, 24/10/09, 03/12/09

ADELAIDE

Communication Skills I - 17/10/09, 05/12/09

Communication Skills II - 18/10/09, 06/12/09

The Counselling Process - 12/09/09, 28/11/09

Counselling Therapies I - 07 & 08/11/09

Counselling Therapies II - 19 & 20/09/09, 21 & 22/11/09

Case Management - 24 & 25/10/09

Counselling Applications - 05/09/09, 29/11/09

PERTH

Communication Skills I - 05/09/09, 07/11/09

Communication Skills II - 06/09/09, 08/11/09

The Counselling Process - 17/10/09, 05/12/09

Counselling Therapies I - 12 & 13/09/09

Case Management - 11 & 12/10/09

Counselling Applications - 28/11/09

SUNSHINE COAST

Communication Skills I - 26/09/09

Communication Skills II - 31/10/09

The Counselling Process - 22/08/09, 28/11/09

Counselling Therapies I - 12 & 13/09/09

Counselling Therapies II - 24 & 25/10/09

Case Management - 14 & 15/11/09

Counselling Applications - 12/12/09

GOLD COAST

Communication Skills I - 29/08/09, 21/11/09

Communication Skills II - 19/09/09

The Counselling Process - 24/10/09

Counselling Therapies I - 31/10 & 01/11/09

Counselling Therapies II - 28 & 29/11/09

Counselling Applications - 26/10/09