Singapore University of Social Sciences

Counselling in a Multicultural Context (Classroom & Synchronous)

Counselling in a Multicultural Context (Classroom & Synchronous) (CET334)

Applications Open: 08 August 2024

Applications Close: 01 March 2025

Next Available Intake: 25 March 2025

Course Types: Short Course

Language: English

Duration: 4 days

Fees: $2400

Area of Interest: Social Services

Schemes: To be confirmed

Funding: SkillsFuture

School/Department: SUSS Academy


Level: Advanced
Duration: 4 days
Dates: 25 - 28 March 2025
Venue: Singapore University of Social Sciences and via Zoom



Synopsis

The primary aim of this course is to provide awareness and understanding of multicultural counselling and therapy. Participants will learn how to handle ethical dilemmas with reference to the Code of Ethics. This course also equips participants with the skills to identify the factors in the multicultural contexts that influence their client's behaviour. They will also explore the impact of these factors on the client's behaviour and reflect on their own practice.

Who Should Attend

This programme is for professionals, both counsellors and social workers, as well as individuals embarking on a career switch into the social service sectors that seeking to gain competence in multicultural counselling and therapy.


Topics

  • Ethical Principles and Codes
  • Singapore Association for Counselling: Code of Ethics
  • Ethical Decision-making Model
  • Ethical Dilemmas: Case Studies
  • RESPECTFUL Counselling and Therapy Theory
  • Multicultural Counselling and Therapy as Metatheory
  • Multicultural Competencies
  • Counsellor Awareness of own Cultural Values and Biases
  • Counsellor Awareness of Client's Worldview
  • Culturally Appropriate Intervention Strategies
  • Contemporary Counselling Theories vs Multicultural Counselling Theory in a Singapore context
  • Developing an Integrated Model of Practice
  • Application: Role-plays and Case Studies


Learning Outcomes

  • Appraise the importance of Code of Ethics in counselling.

  • Assess ethical dilemmas with reference to Code of Ethics.

  • Apply standard and flexible rules of conduct when working in multicultural contexts.

  • Examine the complexity of culture and its role in counselling.

  • Analyse how one’s cultural background, experience, belief system, attitudes, values and biases influence the counselling process.

  • Evaluate traditional and contemporary theories in counselling.

  • Examine the weakness and biases that exist in current counselling practices.

  • Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of Theory of Multicultural Counselling.

  • Develop a counselling approach of personal preference with justification.

  • Formulate one’s own integrated approach to counselling.


Objective

A. Knowledge and Understanding (Theory Component)

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

  • Examine the complexity of culture and its role in counselling.
  • Analyse how one's cultural background, experience, belief system, attitudes, values and biases influence the counselling process.
  • Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of Theory of Multicultural Counselling.


B. Key Skills (Practical Component)

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

  • Assess ethical dilemmas with reference to Code of Ethics.
  • Apply standard and flexible rules of conduct when working in multicultural contexts.
  • Formulate one's own integrated approach to counselling
  • Apply appropriate counselling skills when working with multicultural clients



Schedule

TimeAgenda
 Day 1
09:00 - 09:30

Ethical principles and codes

09:30 – 10:30Singapore Association for Counselling: Code of Ethics
10:30 – 10:45Break 
10:45 – 12:00

Ethical decision-making model
Ethical dilemmas: case studies

12:00 – 13:00
Lunch
13:00 – 15:30
RESPECTFUL Counselling and Therapy theory
15:30 – 15:45
Break
15:45 – 17:00
Activity
17:00 – 17:30
Discussion
Day 2
09:00 - 10:30Multicultural competencies
10:30 - 10:45Break
10:45 - 12:00Multicultural Counselling and Therapy as metatheory
12:00 - 13:00Lunch
13:00 - 15:30

Activity: Assessing one’s own multicultural competence

15:30 - 15:45Break
15:45 - 16:30

Activity: Practice multicultural skills - role-plays

16:30 - 17:30Discussions
Day 3
09:00 - 10:30Counsellor awareness of own cultural values and biases
10:30 - 10:45Break
10:45 - 12:00Counsellor awareness of client’s worldview
12:00 - 13:00Lunch
13:00 - 15: 30Culturally-appropriate intervention strategies
15:30 - 15:45Break
15:45 - 16:30

Activity: Practice culturally-appropriate intervention strategies

16:30 - 17:30Discussions
Day 4
09:00 - 10:30Contemporary Counselling Theories vs Multicultural Counselling Theory in Singapore
10:30 - 10:45Break
10:45 -12:00Developing an integrated model of practice
12:00 - 13:00Lunch
13:00 - 15:30

Activity: Practice integrated model

15:30 - 15:45Break
15:45 - 16:30

Activity

16:30 - 17:30Assessment


Assessments

  • Group Presentation 
    • Participants will need to present a case they encountered, formulate a plan using multicultural context, with the intervention plan taught and the multicultural considerations involved in the case.



Requirements

  • Undergraduate degree in any field from a recognised institution
  • Need to be working with an SSA at the point of application


About the Trainer

CET334-ChristopherFong_editedDr Christopher Fong
D.Prof
A distinguished career as a clinician, leader and consultant both in the public and private sectors. In 2016, was appointed by the Ministry of Social Family Development as one of their National Social Service Fellow. His current academic portfolios include consultant, clinical professor, supervisor and external examiner for doctoral candidates with foreign universities.

Currently advising the Workforce Singapore (WSG) on the impact of diversity and inclusion as an in-demand skills of the 21st century for job seekers. His expertise in managing a global and culturally diverse workforce in a Singapore context has gain visibility with various policy makers and governments both locally and globally.

At SUSS, he was the module leader for the cross cultural counselling modules (COU303/503), designing, developing and delivering the entire courseware to both at the under and post graduate levels. A global thought leader sharing similar insights at international conferences, courts of justices and academic publications.

As a National Fellow in the social service space, he trains and coach sector leaders and senior clinicians. Consulting social service agencies (SSA) towards aligning their organizations towards being more digitally and technologically efficient and effective.

Conferred the Doctor of Professional Studies from the University of Southern Queensland Australia in 2015. Dr. Chris is a Council Member of Singapore Scouts Association. He is also a voting member of the prestigious American Psychological Association.


Application Procedures

Please submit the following documents to cet@suss.edu.sg:

  1. Coloured copy (back and front) of NRIC for Singaporeans and PRs, or "Employment"/"S" Pass for foreign applicant
  2. Application form


Course Fee

Course Fee for $2400

1 Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy: Singaporeans aged 40 and above may enjoy subsidies up to 90% of the course fees.
2 Enhanced Training Support for SMEs: SME-sponsored employees (Singaporean Citizens and PRs) aged 21 and above may enjoy subsidies up to 90% of the course fees.


  • Participants are required to achieve at least 75% attendance and pass any prescribed examinations/assessments or submit any course/project work (if any) under the course requirement.
  • Participants are required to complete all surveys and feedbacks related to the course
  • The course fees are reviewed annually and may be revised. The University reserves the right to adjust the course fees without prior notice.
  • Singapore University of Social Sciences reserves the right to amend and/or revise the above schedule without prior notice

For clarification, please contact the SUSS Academy via the following:

Telephone: +65 6248 0263
Email: CET@suss.edu.sg
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