Introduction to Counselling (COU102)

This course introduces students to the concept of professional counselling, the nature and profession of counselling, and the roles and responsibilities of the professional counsellor in different settings. It will give an overview of the various theories and approaches to counselling, values and ethics in counselling, the attributes of an effective counsellor, and the process of becoming a professional counsellor.

• What is counselling?
• Historical origins of counselling
• Social origins of counselling
• Relationship between counselling and psychotherapy
• Counselling and other helping professions
• The counselling relationship
• Being and becoming a counsellor
• Diversity of theory and practice in counselling
• Values and ethics in counselling
• Different approaches in the delivery of counselling services
• The role of research in counselling
• Future trends in counselling

• Summarise the social and historical origins of counselling (B2)
• Present an overview of different theories and approaches to counselling (B2)
• Discuss the role of research in counselling (B2)
• Describe the differences between counselling and psychotherapy (B2)
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of the theoretical bases of counselling (B3)
• Illustrate the role of professional counselling with simple case studies (B3)
• Discuss common professional and ethical issues in counselling (B2)
• Examine one’s own motivation and readiness in becoming a professional counsellor (B3)