| CODE | PSY5801 | ||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Counselling: Theory and Practice | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Psychology | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Theory: The theoretical part of the study-unit explains what counselling is and what a career in counselling requires. It will help students understand the training involved in being a counsellor. Participants will get an opportunity to begin to examine some of their own characteristics and how they fit into the role of the counsellor. It explains some of the different approaches to counselling such as behavioural, psychodynamic and humanistic. In addition, it describes different environments in which counselling is applied. At the conclusion of this study unit the students will have a better understanding of what is involved in being a counsellor, information on the basic theories of counselling and be in a better position to decide if a career in counselling is congruent to what they had in mind for themselves. This will be done concurrently with the practicum, which will be split in two parts. Practice: Part 1 Students will observe practical situations whenever possible so as to familiarize themselves with the various services and gain hands-on experiences. Students will also have tutorial sessions to discuss, process and analyze the diverse issues that might impinge on their work as counsellors. During the tutorials, students shall be split in groups of twelve students. Part 2 It consists of Counselling Supervision. After completion of the field placement (Part 1) students will have their first counselling sessions (10% of 600 hours) and be closely followed by their supervisors who will assess their competence in counselling situations. The supervisor will also see that supervision will deal with normative, formative and restorative issues. Each supervision group will consist of four students. Study-unit Outline: Theoretical Component - What is counselling? - The distinction between counselling and different forms of support - What happens in counselling – the counselling process - Core conditions in helping relationships: empathic understanding - Why see a counsellor – the aims of counselling - Approaches to counselling - The client-centred counselling model - Roles and Functions of the counsellor - The counsellor’s personal and professional identity - The skills and qualities of the effective counsellor - Environments conducive to counselling - Basic ethical issues in counselling practice e.g. confidentiality. Practical Component - Part 1: Field Observation Placement (Semester 1) - Part 2: Counselling Supervision (Semester 2) Required Texts: Bor, R. & Watts, M. (2006). The trainee handbook: A guide for counseling and psychotherapy trainees. London: Sage Publications. McLeod, J. (2003). An introduction to counselling. New York: Open University Press. Proctor, B. and Inskipp, F. (1994). Making the most of supervision. Twickenham: Cascade Publications. Reading List 1 Theory Culley, S. & Bond, T. (2004). Integrative counselling skills in action. London: SAGE Publications Ltd. McLeod, J. (2007). Counselling skills. New York: Open University Press. McLeod, J. (2004). The counsellor’s workbook - Developing a personal approach. New York: Open University Press, McGraw-Hill Education. Nelson-Jones, R. (2006). Human relationship skills. London: Routledge. Nelson-Jones, R. (2000). Introduction to counselling skills: Text and activities. London: SAGE Publications Ltd. Reading List 2 Practice O’Farrell, U. (2006). First steps in counselling. Dublin: Veritas Publications. Palmer, S. (2000). Introduction to counselling and psychotherapy. London: SAGE Publications. Rogers, C. R. (2004). On becoming a person – New Ed. London: Constable and Robinson. Sanders, P. (2002). First steps in counselling – A students’ companion for basic introductory courses. PCCS Books. Ainscough, C.& Toon, K. (1993). Breaking free, help for survivors of child sexual abuse. Sheldon Press. Baker, S.B., Gerler, E.R.Jr. (2004) School counseling for the twenty-first Century. Pearson Education, Inc., New Jersey. Braun, D. (1988). Responding to child abuse. Toledo:Bedford Square Press. Dowling, E. & Gorell Barnes, G. (2000) Working with children and parents through separation & divorce. The changing lives of children. London: Palgrave Macmillan. Dreikurs, R. (1974). Child guidance & education: Collected Papers. Alfred Adler Institute of Chicago, Inc. Seden, J. (1999). Counselling skills in social work practice. New York:Open University Press. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Practical | ||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Carmen Galea Ingrid Lanfranco Dione Mifsud (Co-ord.) |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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