PUB HLTH 2009 - Introduction to Counselling Theory and Practice

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2025

This course provides an introduction to counselling and psychotherapy theory. It will examine current notions of mental illness and well-being, considering how our understanding of those meeting diagnostic criteria as detailed within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders V (DSM-5) can be enriched through awareness of counselling and psychotherapeutic theory and principles of person-centred care. The course is divided into two modules, each with a different theoretical focus, but all including opportunity for practical learning of person-centred interpersonal communication, building upon student's own life experiences. The first module draws out theoretical perspectives on mental health and illness, through application of different models (e.g., Recovery, Medical, Biopsychosocial models), and critical examination of the DSM-5. The second introduces influential theories that have shaped contemporary understandings of working therapeutically to promote mental health and well-being. Elements of effective communication with those seeking support to manage current life stressors, drawing upon person-centred counselling practice are integrated throughout both modules.

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Course Details

Course Code	PUB HLTH 2009
Course	Introduction to Counselling Theory and Practice
Coordinating Unit	Public Health
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week (1 x 1 hr plus 1 x 2 hrs)
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Assessment	Participation in course activities, online quizzes, essay, weekly skills reflection and video submission of skill demonstration.

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: David Hillard

David Hillard

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

Timetable details are located on MyUni.

Course Learning Outcomes

1	Compare and contrast different theoretical perspectives on mental health and health issues
2	Describe dominant theories in counselling and psychotherapy
3	Recognise key concepts and goals of different counselling/psychotherapy theories
4	Recognise and identify verbal and non-verbal signs of distress
5	Distinguish between helpful and unhelpful responses to signs of distress
6	Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal responses to signs of distress

最新糖心Vlog Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1-6
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	1, 5, 6
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	5, 6
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	1-5
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	1, 4-6
Attribute 6: 最新糖心Vlogn Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, 最新糖心Vlogn Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.	1-6
Attribute 7: Digital capabilities Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.	N/A
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	5-6

Learning & Teaching Modes

Within each module, there are several learning and teaching modes. Didactic material and experiential learning are integrated to introduce concepts, illustrate their use, and provide an interactive environment to encourage student engagement as they apply
concepts and clarify understanding. Each module will have an associated quiz to confirm understanding of fundamental
concepts and allow for identification of areas of study requiring further study prior to completion of an essay assignment. One essay
assignment will provide an opportunity for further exploration of key concepts, for wider reading and synthesis of concepts
and literature. One skills based video assignment will allow reflection effective communication techniques within a therapeutic setting.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

As a 3-unit course, Introduction to Counselling Theory and Practice will require approximately 12 hours of work per week, including attendance and participation at workshops (2 hours per week) and tutorials (one hour per week). The remaining hours is study outside of regular classes and will include readings and preparatory activities and completion of assessments.

Learning Activities Summary

Schedule
Week 1	Overview of Mental Health
Week 2	Perspectives of Mental Health and Stigma
Week 3	Medical and Biopsychosocial models of Mental Health
Week 4	Recovery model of Mental Health and the Power Threat Meaning Framework
Week 5	Common Factors Model of Psychotherapy
Week 6	Overview of Significant Psychotherapeutic Theories
Week 7	Psychoanalysis and Psychodynamic Approaches
Week 8	Behavioural Approaches
Week 9	Humanistic Approaches
Week 10	Systemic Approaches
Week 11	Industry Panel- Q & A
Week 12	Bringing it all together- A Case Management Approach

Specific Course Requirements

Students must have completed at least 24 units of level 1 courses to be eligible to enroll in this course.

The 最新糖心Vlog's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Task Type	Weighting	Learning Outcome
Participation in course activities	Formative and Summative	10%	1-6
Online quizzes	Formative and Summative	20%	1-3
Essay	Summative	30%	1, 5
Skill demonstration video	Summative	30%	4-6
Weekly reflection	Formative and Summative	10%	1-6

Assessment Related Requirements

N/A

Assessment Detail

Class participation:

Students will attend and engage in class activities, demonstrating respectful engagement and cooperation with their lecturers and fellow students; further opportunities to demonstrate participation will be available through contribution to online discussion via the Discussion Board on MyUni.

Two online quizzes:

For each module, students will complete an online quiz (2 at 10%), including Multiple Choice, T/F, Matching formats, to confirm understanding of fundamental concepts and identify areas requiring further study.

One written assignment:

For the first module only (30%; wordcount 1500 words), students are required to demonstrate evidence of extended reading and understanding of key concepts introduced during the module.

Weekly reflection

Students are required to complete a weekly reflection rubric on their skill demonstration and identify areas of strength and areas for further development.

Skill Video Submission

Students will submit a 5 minute video demonstrating two key therapeutic skills learnt during the course of the semester. They will accompany this with a 500 word reflection on their demonstration of these skills, recognising elements of strength and areas for further development.

Submission

Extensions
All extensions for assessments must be requested, at the latest, by the last working day before the due date of submission. Extensions will generally be granted only on medical or genuine compassionate grounds. Supporting documentation must be provided at the time a student requests an extension. Without documentation, extensions will not be granted. Late requests for extension will neither be accepted nor acknowledged. Only the Course Co-ordinator(s) may grant extensions.

Supporting documentation will be required when requesting an extension. Examples of documents that are acceptable include: a medical certificate that specifies dates of incapacity, a police report (in the case of lost computers, car & household theft etc.), a letter from a Student Counsellor, Education and Welfare Officer (EWO) or Disability Liaison Officer that provides an assessment of compassionate circumstances, or a letter from an independent external counsellor or appropriate professional able to verify the student’s situation. The length of any extension granted will take into account the period and severity of any incapacity or impact on the student. Extensions of more than 10 days will not be granted except in exceptional circumstances.

Late submission
Marks will be deducted when assessments for which no extension has been granted are handed in late. All assessments, including those handed in late, will be assessed on their merits. In the case of late submissions where no extension has been granted, 5 percentage points of the total marks possible per day will be deducted. If an assessment that is 2 days late is awarded 65% on its merits, the mark will then be reduced by 10% (5% per day for 2 days) to 55%. If that same assessment is 4 days late, the mark will be reduced by 20% (5% per day for 4 days) to 45%, and so on.

The School of Public Health reserves the right to refuse to accept an assignment that is more than 7 days late. Assignments submitted after the due date may not be graded in time to be returned on the listed return dates.

Students submitting examinable written work who request (and receive) anextension that takes them beyond the examination period are advised that there is no guarantee that their grades will be processed in time to meet usual 最新糖心Vlog deadlines.

Resubmission
If a student is dissatisfied with an assessment grade they should follow the Student Grievance Resolution Process. Students who are not satisfied with a particular assessment resultshould raise their concerns with the Course Co-ordinator in the first instance. This must be done within 10 business days of the date of notification of the result. Resubmission of any assessment is subject to the agreement of the Course Co-ordinator and will only be permitted for the most compelling of reasons.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through .

Student Feedback

The 最新糖心Vlog places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the 最新糖心Vlog to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

What changes have been made in response to student feedback?
1. More consistent integration of therapeutic skill development.
2. Review the curriculum and tutorials to maintain what is working well but support clearer links and make slides available ahead of workshops
3. Assign consistent tutor to each group where possible, and employ people who are practicing and/or qualified counsellors
4. Adjust teaching to create space for a Q and A panel for students to put questions, relevant to the learning goals, to current practicing counsellors if next cohort has this interest.
5. Provide clearer links between assignments and course content.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

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