NUR 5520 Introduction to Counselling Skills

STAFFING:

REQUISITES:

RATIONALE:

Most of the contact people have with health professionals occurs when the person or client needs assistance or is under stress. Health professionals, because of their trusted and helping roles, are ideally suited to help people deal with emotional difficulties as well as their physical problems. This course focuses on the development of micro-counselling skills as well as the use of reflection and self-understanding in the process of counselling.

SYNOPSIS:

The content of this course is based on the premise that there are two people in a helping relationship: the health professional and the client. The better the understanding health professionals have of themselves, the better they are able to help others to work on their own personal difficulties. Students in this course will learn the basics of the theoretical concepts that underpin counselling. The focus of this course will be on the two broad areas of self-awareness and development, and specific counselling micro-skill development.

OBJECTIVES:

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1. describe the purpose and ethics of counselling;
2. explain the importance of having a self-understanding in the development of interpersonal counselling skills;
3. describe the theoretical frameworks that underpin counselling strategies in this course;
4. describe the development of their personal style as a counsellor;
5. develop specific micro-counselling skills; and
6. explain the impact of culture on interpersonal communication.

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assessment item.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 20% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must submit all of the summative assessment items and achieve at least 50% of the available weighted marks for those items.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   There is no examination in this course.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   There will be no Deferred or Supplementary examinations in this course.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES