Key facts

Type	Weekly Classes
Location	Reading
Address	Room 110 Building 22 London Road Campus Reading.
Dates	Mon 1 Oct to Mon 10 Dec 2012 Day: Monday Time of meeting: 7.00-9.00pm Number of meetings: 10
Subject area(s)	Psychology and Counselling
CATS points	10
Fees	From £165.00
Application status	Course ended
Course code	R12P448PCW
Course contact	If you have any questions about this course, please email ppweekly@conted.ox.ac.uk.

Overview

This is a basic Introduction to Counselling course, which includes counselling theory, skills and self-awareness.

Description

This is a basic introductory course which includes counselling theory, skills and self-awareness. It will consider person-centred and psychodynamic models and an awareness of ethical issues relating to counselling. Counselling practice will include listening and responding skills and this will involve work in small groups and role play.

Programme details

Week 1: Introduction. What counselling is and is not
Week 2: Counselling skills. Reflecting and questioning
Week 3: Person-Centred Counselling
Week 4: Psychodynamic Theory. The unconscious and use of defences
Week 5: Psychodynamic Theory. The past, the present and the future
Week 6: Professional Ethics
Week 7: Attachment Theory
Week 8: Holding and Containing
Week 9: Case Study
Week 10: Endings

Background Reading:
Bateman, A., Holmes, J., (1995), Introduction to Psychoanalysis; Contemporary theory and Practice, London: Routledge.
Casement, P. (1995), On Learning from the Patient, London: Routledge.
Dryden, W. (ed.), (2007), Dryden’s Handbook of Individual Therapy, London: Sage.
Gray, A. (1994), An Introduction to the Therapeutic Frame, London: Routledge.
Howard, S. (2006), Psychodynamic Counselling - in a Nutshell, London: Sage.
Jacobs, M, (1998) The Presenting Past: The Core of Psychodynamic Counselling and Therapy : Open University Press.
Mearns, D., Thorne, B., (2007), Person-Centred Counselling in Action, London: Sage.

Staff

Course aims

Course Aim:
This course is an introduction to the field of counselling. It is aimed both as a way-in to a training in counselling or psychotherapy and as a self-standing opportunity for people wanting to know about the discipline. No previous knowledge is required.

Course Objectives:
1. To learn about some of the theory underpinning counselling practice.
2. To learn about and practice counselling skills.
3. To increase self awareness and understand it's significance in counselling practice.

Assessment methods

There will be one written assignment, which will offer an opportunity to demonstrate on paper the integration of the three core strands of the course.

Teaching methods

Within the maximum of 20 participants, the learning groups will vary. Tutor input of theory will be given to the group-as-a-whole, with the aid of flipchart, buzz groups, discussion and case studies. Skills exercises will take place in triads in which appropriate roleplay will enable gradual acquisition of first level listening, reflecting and counselling skills.

Teaching outcomes

By the end of the course students should have some map of the field of Counselling. They should be confident in the practice of first level counselling skills and be aware of the core conditions needed for a counselling relationship to take place. Whether or not they have personal experience of the therapeutic setting as a client or patient, they should be aware of the importance of knowing their own inner world if they wish to be alongside others, particularly if they wish to embark on further training. If they have completed the course including the assignment, they should be well placed to apply for the Postgraduate Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling Studies offered by the Department for Continuing Education.

Fee options

Programme Fee

Home/EU fee: £165.00

Non-EU fee: £165.00

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