There are many perspectives and schools of thought in counselling and psychotherapy – each offers a working ideology and framework. This course is ideal for anyone interested in the fields of counselling, psychology, healthcare, teaching and research.
The Certificate of Counselling Strategies & Techniques is a professional development course that will provide an overview of counselling theories, approaches and therapies from influential practitioners.
In this online counselling course, you will learn about elements of personality, recent developments in psychoanalytical theory, as well as psychoanalytic techniques, approaches and counselling.
You’ll also discover humanistic approaches, including Gestalt techniques and person-centred counselling. Cognitive behavioural therapy, behavioural therapy and strategies in solution-focused counselling are also covered in this online counselling course.
On completion of this course, you will understand the different approaches in counselling and psychotherapy and gain insight into the techniques you’d like to adopt in your work.
Course Structure
Unit - Counselling Techniques
Unit 1 – Psychoanalytic psychotherapy l – Freud, Erikson, Jung
- Value and relevance of psychotherapy
- Emergence of psychoanalytical theory
- Principles of psychoanalytical theory
- Elements of the personality
- The notion of conscious and unconscious
- Anxiety and psychoanalysis
- Inbuilt psychological coping and damage repair mechanisms
- Defence mechanisms
- Freud’s psycho-sexual theory and Erikson’s psychosocial theory
- Jung’s perspective on personality
- Archetypes
- Recent developments in psychoanalytical theory
- Goals of psychoanalytical approach
- Psychoanalytic techniques
- Analytic framework
- Free associations
- Interpretation
- Dream analysis
- Resistance
- Transference
- Psychoanalytic approach and counselling
- Personality disorders
- Critique for psychoanalytic theory
Unit 2 – Psychoanalytical psychotherapy ll – Adler
- Alfred Adler
- Adler’s key concepts
- Inferiority vs superiority
- What makes people self interested
- Social interest and community feeling
- Individual psychology
- Psychological types: ruling type, leaning type, avoiding type
- Sibling relationships
- Only child
- First child, second child, youngest child
- Use of Adlerian theory
- Applications to counselling
- Freud and Adler
- Critique
Unit 3 – Humanistic/Existential approaches I – Gestalt Therapy; Fritz Perls
- Introduction
- Human nature
- Holistic approach
- Field theory
- Figure-formation process
- Organismic self-regulation
- Focus on the present
- Resolving dilemmas
- Personal maturity
- The effect of contact
- Effect of energy
- The experiment
- Confrontation
- Gestalt techniques: Internal dialogue, reversal, rehearsal, exaggeration, dream work, etc.
- Critique
Unit 4 – Humanistic/Existential approaches II – Person-Centred Counselling; Carl Rogers
- Humanistic therapy
- Principles of person centred approach
- Personal attitude of the counsellor
- Goals of therapy
- Assessment techniques
- Areas of application
- Critique
Unit 5 – Rational behavioural therapy – Albert Ellis
- Rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT
- Ellis’s view of human nature
- Personality theory
- Goals and techniques of therapy
- Therapeutic techniques
- Cognitive techniques
- Emotive techniques
- Use of REBT
- Critique
Unit 6 – Cognitive behavioural therapy – Aaron Beck
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and REBT
- Premises of CBT
- Cognitive distortions
- Use of cognitive therapy
- Family therapy
- Modifications to CBT
- Stress inoculation training program (SIT)
- Stages of SIT
- Constructivist modification
Unit 7 – Behavioural therapy
- Contemporary behavioural therapy
- Behavioural approach
- Goals and techniques
- Goals of therapy
- Use of behaviour therapy
- Basic ID
- Critique
Unit 8 – Solution-focused counselling
- Introduction
- Strategies in solution focused counselling
- Engaging the client
- Constructing pathways for change
- Generating creative solutions
- Critique
Assessment
When you study with Australian Online Courses you will be assessed using a competency-based training method. Competency-based training focuses on a learner’s ability to receive, respond to and process information to achieve a competency result. As such, skills-based and knowledge assessments are geared towards attainment to meet industry-defined standards.
Assessment will be comprised of written assignments and exercises, including short answer questions, reports, essays, research projects and reflective tasks. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- No entry requirements;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support;
- Easy to understand course content;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Certificate of Attainment/Completion issued for your CV (hard copy provided); and
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
How long will it take to complete this course?
The approximate study hours for this course is 50 hours. We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply).
Can I purchase optional printed materials?
While printed materials are not available for purchase, PDF copies are available for download and self-printing for this program.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of this course?
Yes! You will receive a Certificate of Attainment upon successful completion of your assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our e-learning system and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:
- Counsellors
- Psychotherapists
- Social Workers
- Health Professionals
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