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Studies of counselling and psychological theories and their implications for practice. Practice in the skills of an intentional interviewing model of helping.
This course provides the opportunity to study counselling and psychological theories and their implications for practice, along with practice in the skills of an intentional interviewing model of therapy.In this course, you will be introduced to a range of theories and knowledge associated with counselling and psychology, and encouraged to consider the personal and professional role of a therapist. This will include an introduction to some of the legal and ethical contexts of therapy work and you will be provided with an opportunity to examine your own personal values, your own culture and your beliefs. You will be encouraged to reflect on how these beliefs and values shape your relationship to the theory and practice of psychology and counselling with diverse clients. You will also be introduced to multi-cultural perspectives and kaupapa Māori models of wellbeing as an introduction to therapeutic work within a bicultural context. This will set the context for learning a range of foundational therapeutic skills. Each of you will be expected to engage in course exercises and be able to demonstrate an understanding and effective use of specific skills, and describe both the rationale for and the impact of, their use in controlled, role-played situations. Psychologists, counsellors and therapists need to be able to provide a rationale for what they do. In this course, you will have the opportunity of evaluating, comparing and contrasting several major theories of counselling and psychotherapy. This part of the course is designed to provide you with a theoretical framework to assist you in the process of beginning to build and articulate your own personal position on counselling and therapy.
Upon passing this course, I will:Understand and articulate key issues relevant to the practice of counselling and psychologyUse basic counselling skills to conduct an effective therapeutic interview in the context of their developing understanding of theory.Develop and articulate an integrated understanding of several major theories of counselling and psychological interventions that are informed by their examination of their own values and beliefs.Begin to understand the impact of values, beliefs and culture on the therapeutic process after acquiring a foundational knowledge of working safely and competently with cultural and bicultural awareness.
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
Employable, innovative and enterprising
Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.
Biculturally competent and confident
Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.
Globally aware
Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.
Subject to approval of the Head of School
CFPY604, EDUC461, EDEM664, HLTH481
Students must attend one activity from each section.
Tom Sykes
As this course is compulsory for those preparing to apply for Masters programmes, a high degree of professionalism is expected of all students. Students are expected to attend all scheduled class sessions and are required to complete all assessment tasks. There are three pieces of work that make up the final grade. All three must be completed. Each will be assessed using a letter grade.
John McLeod; An introduction to counselling and psychotherapy : theory, research, practice, and social purpose ; 7th edition; Open University Press/McGraw-Hill, 2025.
Jones-Smith, E; Theories of counselling and psychotherapy: An integrative approach ; Sage (You can use either 2nd ed., 2016, or 3rd ed., 2021).
Wampold, Bruce; The basics of psychotherapy: An introduction to theory and practice ; 2nd Edition; 2019.
Subject to approval of Head of School.
We expect you to attend all scheduled class sessions and are required to complete all assessment tasks. Due to the practical, experiential, and groupwork nature of this course, punctuality and attendance is essential.
Please note that the due dates are 'firm'. If you cannot complete the written assessment by the due date you may have up to 7 days to submit it. In fairness to other students this will incur a penalty of one grade (i.e., from B+ to B). No assessment can be accepted once other students' marked assessments have been returned to them. Please ensure you discuss any late submissions and extension applications with us beforehand in writing.One opportunity for resubmission (pass/fail mark 50%) may be allowed where possible if you fail to pass a submission.
Domestic fee $2,494.00
International Postgraduate fees
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see School of Health Sciences .