Advanced Certificate In Counselling (Care Professionals) VPS005

Gain the basics in counselling. A foundation certificate, aimed at people working or looking to work in care or health care services. Consists of 4 modules containing in-depth lessons.In the discipline of psychology, the term stress is defined as the state of psycho physiological arousal.

It is virtually impossible to discuss psychological stress without describing the psychological state that accompanies it.

The dynamics of stress demonstrate the close interaction between mind and the body in human behaviour. Thus, before we discuss stress, let us first briefly take to task the mind body problem.

During our everyday conversation, we tend to use the term body for all that is concrete and tangible about ourselves -the shape of our limbs, colour of hair etc.

The term mind on the other hand refers to the intangible part of our experience -the private storehouse of our emotions and thoughts. Thus, in our every day life, we tend to use these two terms as though they refer to entirely separate entities, which exist independent of each other. This is not the case though...they are interrelated & highly inseparable! Course Structure
Modules
Core Modules:

These modules provide foundation knowledge for the Certificate In Counselling (Care Professionals).

Elective Modules:

In addition to the core modules, students study any 2 of the following 7 modules.

Note that each module in the Certificate In Counselling (Care Professionals) is a course in its own right, and may be studied separately.

Modules

Module 1. Introduction to Psychology

This course will help you to analyse aspects of a person\'s psychological state and apply derived knowledge to motivate that person. There are seven lessons in this course:

1. The Nature and Scope of Psychology
2. Neurological basis of behaviour
3. Environmental effects on behaviour
4. Consciousness and perception
5. Personality
6. Psychological development
7. Needs, drives and motivation

Module 2. Psychology and Counselling

A course that develops your ability to analyse psychological conditions and to apply that knowledge in counselling or advisory situations. There are seven lessons in this course:

1. Stress
2. Abnormal Behaviour
3. Individual Behaviour
4. Group Behaviour
5. Methods of Dealing with Abnormalities
6. Conflict Resolution
7. Interpersonal Communication Skills

Module 3 Counselling Skills I

1. Learning Specific Skills - Learning methods; the counselling rold
2. Listening and Bonding - Meeting and greeting; helping the client relax; listening with intent
3. Reflection: Paraphrasing - Reflection of feeling; client responses to reflection of feelings; reflection of content and feeling
4. Questioning - Open and closed questions; other types of questions; goals of questioning
5. Interview Techniques - Summarising; confrontation; reframing
6. Changing Beliefs and Normalising - Changing self-destructive beliefs; irrational beliefs; normalising
7. Finding Solutions - Making choices; facilitating actions; gestalt awareness; psychological blocks
8. Ending the Counselling - Terminating the session; closure; further meetings; dependency, confronting dependency.

Module 4. Life Coaching

This course is aimed at students with experience or training in health, counselling, social work, natural therapies etc. It will develop your skills in setting and achieving goals, for yourself or for those who seek your assistance. There are ten lessons:

1. Introduction: Nature and scope of life coaching
2. Individual perceptions
3. A well-balanced life
4. Coaching skills
5. Coaching models
6. Coaching and physical well-being
7. Coaching and psychological well-being
8. Coaching success
9. Goal-setting
10. 1Review and adjustment

This course is recognised by the Association for Coaching in the UK. Graduates are encouraged to join this association, to further their career and opportunities in life coaching, and counselling more generally.

Modules 5 and 6. Choose any two (2) module from the following :

• Biopsychology I
• Stress Management
• Counselling Skills II
• Crisis Counselling
• Counselling Techniques
• Grief Counselling
• Careers Counselling
• Professional Practice in Counselling
• Aged Care & Counselling
• Family Counselling

EXAMPLES OF ELECTIVE OUTLINES

Biopsychology I

Biopsychology studies the interaction between psychology and the physical body. It would beneft
anyone working in fields of fitness or health, and most areas of psychology.

1. Introduction - Types of external and internal stimuli, mind-body debate, introduction to the nervous system.
2. The Senses - Sensory input, sensory perception, description of the major senses.
3. The Nervous System - Description of the neurons, the central nervous system, peripheral nervous
4. system, including the autonomic nervous system.
5. The Endocrine System - Effect of hormones behaviour and physiology, association of endocrine
6. system and nervous system, connection between external and internal stimuli.
7. Stress- Types of stressors, physical affects of stress, personality and stress.
8. Emotions - Homeostasis, eating disorders, physiological responses to emotions, theories of
9. emotion.
10. Consciousness - Degrees of consciousness, awareness and attention, altered states of
11. consciousness.

Stress Management

Anxiety, tension and mental and emotional strain are common problems in modern society. This course introduces you to some practical approaches to combating stress. It covers the following topics:

1. Body changes caused by stress.
2. Developing an easy going lifestyle.
3. Pills and alcohol abuse.
4. Building self esteem.
5. Career management and achieving work satisfaction.
6. Security and Decision Making.
7. Relaxation massage, meditation and diet.
8. Evaluating and developing your own personality.

Counselling Skills II

1. The Counselling Session - how micro-skills come together
2. Focus on the Present - present experiences; feedback; transference; projection; resistance
3. Telephone Counselling - non-visual contact; preparation; initial contact; use of micro-skills; overall process; debriefing; types of problem callers
4. Dealing with Crises - defining crisis; types of crisis; dangers of crisis; counsellor’s responses and intervention; post-traumatic stress
5. Problem-Solving Techniques I: Aggression - expressing anger; encouraging change; role-play; externalising anger
6. Problem-Solving Techniques II: Depression - blocked anger; referral practice; chronic depression; setting goals; promoting action
7. Problem-Solving Techniques III: Grief and Loss - loss of relationships; children and grief; stages of grief
8. Problem-Solving Techniques IV: Suicide - ethics; reasons for suicide; perceived risk; counselling strategies; alternative approach.