DSRS3222 Introduction to Counselling Skills

This topic focuses on opportunities to gain an understanding of basic counselling theories and micro-skills that are applicable in a variety of work and personal settings. Students are encouraged to draw on work and practicum experiences gained up to this point in their program of study, and to apply new counselling knowledge and skills to their personal lives as well as current work and practicum settings. An integral aspect of the topic for internal students is student learning in tutorial skills-building sessions which are used for the supervised practice of micro-skills and techniques that are presented throughout the semester. External students are required to practice specified skills weekly with friends, colleagues, or family members and to provide feedback on these activities to their tutor.

This topic focuses on the theory and practice of basic counselling skills that are useful in a variety of work and personal settings, with an emphasis on:

• Understanding counselling theories and their links to practice in a range of human service roles
• Opportunities for purposeful practice of counselling micro-skills
• Completion of an effective and structured counselling interview using basic counselling skills
• Facilitating personal reflection and peer feedback in skills development
• Understanding the importance of ethical issues and self-care in human service roles

1. Evaluate basic counselling theories and micro-skills, and how these may be applied in a range of human service roles and settings
2. Identify the ethical and professional issues associated with the counselling process, including awareness of limitations of their own role and skills, and multicultural considerations for clients and counsellors
3. Examine the impact of personal values and attitudes on effective counselling skills, and the ability to articulate these