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PSY390 - Counselling

2025

Sector

Higher Education

Discipline

Psychology

Credit Points

Equivalent Units

(PSY354)

Prerequisites

Incompatible

Coerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

PSY150 - INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY A, PSY151 - INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY B, PSY248 - RESEARCH DESIGN AND ANALYSIS

Unit Description

In this unit students will start to prepare students for the realities of counselling or clinical psychology practice. The unit provides an overview of the main approaches to therapeutic counselling and psychotherapy. Students will also study and critically evaluate research into counselling and practical applications of counselling techniques. Students will gain an appreciation for current methods in therapeutic counselling. Students will also gain an understanding of professional issues such as supervision and counselling codes of ethics.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.	Locate major counselling ideas and themes within their cultural and historical context.
2.	Identify major players who formulated ideas and developed practice within therapeutic counselling frameworks.
3.	Discuss and evaluate the ideas and theories, which inform counselling practice.
4.	Demonstrate basic communication skills, which form the building blocks of counselling practice.
5.	Reflect on their personal connection to counselling ideas.
6.	Describe the ethical basis of the counselling profession.

Assessment Overview

	Assessment Task	Value (of total mark)	Related Learning Outcome/s
1.	Aptitude quiz (10 mins)	5%	1,2,3
2.	Written assignment (1500 words)	35%	4,5
3.	Reflective journal (4 x 250 words each)	20%	1,2,3,5,6
4.	Online test (60 minutes)	40%	1,2,3,6

Unit Availability

Year	Semester	Att Mode	Location	Learning Method	Timetable*
2025	Semester 1	External	External Studies	OLR	View

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OLR: Internet access is required for this unit as students are required to access study materials provided on-line through Learnline. Please log into Learnline on the first day of each teaching period. For more information about Learnline, please click here.

Critical Dates

Important Dates for Students

Fee Information:
Fees and Payments
Student Services and Amenities Fees
2025 Domestic Unit Fees (PDF)
2025 Incidental Fees (PDF)