COUN681-26W (C) Whole Year 2026

Solution-focused theory and skills with individuals and groups

30 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 16 February 2026
End Date: Sunday, 8 November 2026
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 15 March 2026
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 23 August 2026

Description

Solution-focused therapy is a strengths-based model that emphasises clients' natural resources and successful experiences to help them bring about change and a shift toward their preferred future. The primary purpose of this course is to introduce you to the theory, skills and tools of solution-focused brief therapy. You will examine social constructionism, the theoretical perspective that accounts for shifts in clients' perceptions and definitions and enables them to work towards building a more favourable future. You will also have the opportunity to engage with what it is like to think and act in a solution-focused manner. The emphasis will be on providing a balance of theory and practice to assist you to gain knowledge and confidence in working with individuals, and co-leading groups integrating a solution focused approach with principles of social justice, bicultural and multicultural counselling.

Prerequisites

Subject to approval of the Head of School

Restrictions

COUN678; COUN679

Timetable 2026

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Intensive Block Course A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 09:00 - 16:00 Wheki 451
9 Mar - 15 Mar
02 Monday 09:00 - 16:00 Wheki 450
9 Mar - 15 Mar
Intensive Block Course B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Tuesday 09:00 - 16:00 Wheki 451
9 Mar - 15 Mar
02 Tuesday 09:00 - 16:00 Wheki 450
9 Mar - 15 Mar
Intensive Block Course C
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 09:00 - 12:30 Wheki 450
9 Mar - 15 Mar
02 Wednesday 09:00 - 12:30 Wheki 102
9 Mar - 15 Mar
Intensive Block Course D
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Tuesday 09:00 - 16:00 Wheki 450
27 Apr - 3 May
02 Tuesday 09:00 - 16:00 Wheki 451
27 Apr - 3 May
Intensive Block Course E
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 09:00 - 12:30 Wheki 451
27 Apr - 3 May
02 Wednesday 09:00 - 12:30 Wheki 102
27 Apr - 3 May
Intensive Block Course F
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 09:00 - 16:00 Wheki 450
3 Aug - 9 Aug
02 Monday 09:00 - 16:00 Wheki 106
3 Aug - 9 Aug
Intensive Block Course G
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Tuesday 09:00 - 16:00 Wheki 450
3 Aug - 9 Aug
02 Tuesday 09:00 - 16:00 Wheki 451
3 Aug - 9 Aug
Intensive Block Course H
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 09:00 - 16:00 Wheki 450
3 Aug - 9 Aug
02 Wednesday 09:00 - 16:00 Wheki 451
3 Aug - 9 Aug
Intensive Block Course I
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 09:00 - 16:00 Wheki 450
14 Sep - 20 Sep
02 Monday 09:00 - 16:00 Wheki 105
14 Sep - 20 Sep
Intensive Block Course J
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Tuesday 09:00 - 16:00 Wheki 450
14 Sep - 20 Sep
02 Tuesday 09:00 - 16:00 Wheki 451
14 Sep - 20 Sep

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Literature Review 06 Apr 2025 30% Thematic review of solution-focused counselling/therapy.
Solution-focused video 15 Jun 2025 35% Part A: Recorded interview with class member and feedback from a reflective team. Recorded within class during Block 2 in May. Part B: Written self-reflective critique.
Group co-leadership exercise and reflective critique 35% Part A: Co-leadership group exercise facilitated with members of the class (presented on either 16 or 17 September, during block 3) Part B: Written plan submitted that includes a review of the literature used to inform the topic and planning, as well as a reflexive critique of your experience and learning. This can be submitted with your coleader. Due 6 or 7 October.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $2,494.00

* 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.

Minimum enrolments

This course will not be offered if fewer than 9 people apply to enrol.

For further information see School of Health Sciences .

All COUN681 Occurrences

  • COUN681-26W (C) Whole Year 2026
  • COUN681-26X3 (O) Special non-calendar-based Three 2026 (UC Online)
  • COUN681-26X1 (O) Special non-calendar-based One 2026 (UC Online)