PSYC08016 2016 Counselling Psychology: Theoretical Perspectives
This module is about the many theories of counselling and psychotherapy. It examines ways in which the care professional can apply psychological theories of personality and mental health to understanding and helping people. The material covered will include an overview of the main theories of counselling psychology and an introduction to emerging trends in the field. The major schools of therapy; Psychodynamic, Cognitive‑Behavioural, and Humanistic‑Existential, will be addressed. Several key approaches will be studied in depth to demonstrate the links between theory and practice. Issues in counselling such as multiculturalism, diversity and lifespan development (children/ adults) will be explored. Students will be given the opportunity to integrate this learning through exploration of case material and through personal reflection activities.
This module maps to the CORU Standards of Proficiency below:
Domain 1: Professional Autonomy and Accountability
Domain 2: Communication, Collaborative Practice and Teamworking
Domain 4: Professional Development
Domain 5: Professional Knowledge and Skills
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;
Identify and describe the core assumptions of some of the key theorists from the three major schools of therapy used in counselling psychology, and explain some of the therapeutic applications. Example: Aaron Beck's Cognitive therapy applied to understanding and treating depression (Domain 1.5; 2.17: 5.1, 5.8, 5.9).
Discriminate critically between these approaches on the basis of their premises, goals, therapeutic interventions, and levels of effectiveness (Domain 5.1).
Describe some counselling microskills and appraise their predicted outcomes. Examples: paraphrasing, open and closed questions, self-disclosure.
Explain the application of counselling psychology theory and practice to mental health issues and care work (Domain 4.4: 5.1, 5.8, 5.9).
Critically evaluate the ethical aspects of applying counseling psychology theory and practice to mental health issues and care work (Domain 1.1, 1.5, 1.19: 4.4, 4.5: 5.19).
Teaching and Learning Strategies
This module will be delivered through lectures and tutorials whereby students will be given the opportunity to integrate learning through discussion, viewing demonstration films, exploration of case material and through personal reflection activities. Formative feedback on course work will be given.
Module Assessment Strategies
Assessment will involve problem-based applied course work and a conceptually based examination.
This modules assessment allows for assessment of CORU Standards of Proficiency as follows:
Course work (Domain; 1.1, 1.5, 1.19: 4.4, 4.5: 5.1, 5.8, 5.9, 5.19)
Examination (Domain 1.5; 2.17: 5.1, 5.8, 5.9)
Repeat Assessments
Repeat assessment will require completion of course work and/ or examination as appropriate.
Module Dependencies
Indicative Syllabus
1. Introduction to Counselling Psychology
Psychological influences and the evolution of counselling
Overview of the 3 major schools of therapy
The therapeutic relationship
Practitioners of counselling, psychotherapy, and counselling psychology
21 st century developments and perspectives: integrated approaches
2. Multiculturalism and diversity in counselling and therapy
Multiculturalism, diversity and social justice issues
The Feminist movement in therapy
The RESPECTFUL (D'Andrea & Daniels, 2001)approach to counselling
3. Psychodynamic Approaches to Counselling Psychology
An overview of key theorists within this approach (Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler, Carl Jung). Focus on the fundamental assumptions and therapeutic applications of one psychodynamic approach.
4. Cognitive‑Behavioural Approaches to Counselling Psychology
An overview of key theorists within this approach (B.F. Skinner, Aaron Beck, Albert Ellis, William Glasser). Focus on the fundamental assumptions and therapeutic applications of one cognitive‑behavioural approach.
5. Humanistic‑Existential Approaches to Counselling Psychology
An overview of key theorists within this approach (Carl Rogers, Victor Frankl, Fritz Perls). Focus on the fundamental assumptions and therapeutic applications of one humanistic‑existential approach.
6. Linking Theory to Practice
An overview of the micro skills of interviewing
Counselling across the lifespan: working with children, adolescents, and adults.
Stages in the counselling process
Codes of ethical practice for counselling psychology
Coursework & Assessment Breakdown
Coursework Assessment
Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Coursework | Continuous Assessment | Assessment | 60 % | OnGoing | 4,5 |
End of Semester / Year Assessment
Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Exam | Final Exam | Closed Book Exam | 40 % | End of Semester | 1,2,3 |
Full Time Mode Workload
Type | Location | Description | Hours | Frequency | Avg Workload |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lecture | Flat Classroom | Lecture | 2 | Weekly | 2.00 |
Tutorial | Flat Classroom | Tutorial | 1 | Weekly | 1.00 |
Module Resources
Recommended Textbook:
Ivey, A.E., D'Andrea, M.J., :-:-amp:::: Bradford Ivey, M., (2012), Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Multicultural Perspective , (7 th Ed.), Sage, UK.
:-:-#160::::Supplementary Books:
Bateman, A., Brown, D. :-:-amp:::: Pedder, J. (2010), Introduction to Psychotherapy: An Outline of Psychodynamic Principles and Practice , (4th Ed.), Routledge, London.
:-:-#160::::Bayne, R. (1998), Counselling and Communication Skills for Medical and Health Practitioners , B.P.S. Books. UK.
Bernstein, D. :-:-amp:::: Nash, P. (2002) Essentials of Psychology , (2 nd Ed.), Houghton Mifflin, Boston. :-:-#8209:::: ::::or similar introductory Psychology text
Corey, G., Theory and Practice of Group Counselling , (8th Ed.), Brooks/ Cole Publishing Company, CA.
Corey, G. (2009), Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy , (8 th ed.), Brooks/ Cole Publishing Company, CA.
Culley, S. :-:-amp:::: Bond, T. (2004), Integrative Counselling Skills in Action (Counselling in Action series)( 2nd ed.), Sage, London
Dryden,W. (2008), Key Issues for Counselling in Action (Counselling in Action series) , (2 nd ed.), Sage, London
Egan, G. (2001), The Skilled Helper: A Problem Management Approach to Helping (7 th Ed.), Wadsworth, UK.
:-:-#160::::Geldard, K., Geldard, D., (2010) Counselling Adolescents: The Proactive Approach for Young People, 3rd ed., UK, Sage.
Geldard K., Geldard D., Yin Foo, R. (2013) Counselling Children A Practical Introduction Fourth Edition, UK, Sage
Ivey, A.E., Bradford Ivey, M. :-:-amp:::: Zalaquett, C.P., (2012), Essentials of Intentional Interviewing: Counseling in a Multicultural World , (2 nd Ed.), Brooks/ Cole, Cengage, UK.
Juntunen, C., and Atkinson, D. (2015) Counseling Across the Lifespan: Prevention and Treatment, SAGE, London
Miller, L. (2006), Counselling skills for Social Work , Sage, London.
Nelson:-:-#8209::::Jones, R. (2008), Basic Counselling Skills , (2 nd Ed.), Sage, London.
O'Brien, E. (2011), Psychology for Social Care: An Irish Perspective , Gill :-:-amp:::: MacMillan, Dublin. ::::(Particularly Chpt. 10 Counselling)
Orbach, A. (2003) Counselling Older Clients SAGE, London
Palmer, S.,(2000) Introduction to Counselling and Psychotherapy : The Essential Guide , Sage, London
Rowan, J. (1998) the Reality Game: A Guide to Humanistic Counselling and Therapy ( 2nd Ed.) Routledge, London.
Sanders, D. :-:-amp:::: Wills, F. (2005), Cognitive Therapy: An Introduction , (2nd Ed.), Sage, London.
Sanders, P. :-:-amp:::: Wilkins, P., (2010), First Steps in Practitioner Research: A guide to understanding and doing research in counselling and health and social care , PCCS Books, UK.
This module will be supported by a dedicated Moodle website (Virtual Learning Environment). DVD to accompany the recommended textbook:
Ivey, A.E., D'Andrea, M.J., & Bradford Ivey, M., (2012), Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Multicultural Perspective , (7 th Ed.), Sage, UK.[DVD]
Supplementary DVD material:
Corey, G. (2009), DVD: Theory in Practice: The Case of Stan , (8th Ed.), Brooks/ Cole, CA. [DVD] |