James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2001

PY3104:03

Principles of Counselling

Townsville, Cairns

Prerequisites: (PY2091 or PY2101) (PY2092 or PY2102) (PY2093 or PY2106)
Inadmissable Subject Combination: PY3083

26 lectures, 24 tutorials. First semester.

Staff: Dr J Promnitz (Townsville campus); Mr K Colahan (Cairns campus).

The objective of this subject is to provide students with a systematic introduction to the theory and practice of counselling. Students should appreciate its introductory nature and need to understand that counselling skills are largely acquired through advanced training, professional practice, supervision and experience.

Learning Objectives:

  1. have an understanding of philosophical and theoretical approaches to counselling;
  2. appreciate how the student’s own values and beliefs affect the counselling process;
  3. have gained knowledge and practice of the basic microskills necessary for counsellors;
  4. have an awareness of the necessity of accurate record keeping and report writing relevant to a variety of counselling situations;
  5. have an awareness of ethical and legal issues as they relate to professional counselling practice;
  6. appreciate the necessity for further training, supervision and professional development for counsellors/counselling psychologists.

Assessment by class participation and class presentation (25%); practical test (15%); end of semester examination (60%).