Program Overview

COSCA Counselling Skills

Key Facts

• Cost: ｣1950
• Credits: 40

Summary

This course provides an opportunity for students to understand the theoretical approaches and reflective practices required to apply counselling skills across various inter-personal and professional contexts. It consists of 4 interlinked units that cover four main strands: listening skills, knowledge of theoretical approaches, self-awareness, and understanding of ethics. Successful completion of all 4 units results in students being awarded the COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate.

Course Aims

• Introduce participants to the theoretical concepts of a counselling approach and the use of counselling skills
• Introduce participants to different theoretical counselling perspectives, including Humanistic, Psychodynamic, Gestalt, Cognitive Behavioural, and Transactional Analysis approaches
• Set counselling skills within the essential ethical framework of a counselling approach, including the importance of boundaries as the ethical framework for safe practice and the nature of power and vulnerability when using counselling skills
• Explore and clarify the nature and importance of professional responsibilities, such as supervision, for the counselling relationship
• Provide participants the opportunity to practice counselling skills in a safe and supportive environment
• Introduce participants to the concept and experience of self-awareness and personal growth in the context of counselling skills training, including taking responsibility for identifying own personal learning aims and examining how own life events can influence the process of working with others
• Encourage participants to evaluate their practice
• Provide a suitable foundation for possible further training in the areas of counselling skills and the use of a counselling approach

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Unit 1: Knowledge

• Explain the difference between formal counselling and using a counselling approach
• Describe what attending skills and responding skills are, and why they are essential in a counselling approach
• Explain what self-awareness means and why it is essential in a counselling approach
• Discuss what constitutes the basic ethical and attitudinal framework that is required for attending and responding skills to become counselling skills or part of a counselling approach

Unit 1: Competencies

• Establish an appropriate, safe, and supporting relationship in peer skills practice
• Evaluate and monitor self in using a counselling approach

Unit 2: Knowledge

• Discuss the concepts of beginnings, middles, and endings and the differences between them in a counselling approach
• Identify how feelings are communicated and responded to within a counselling approach
• Explain the ways in which the ethical framework is necessary for safe practice
• Identify the boundary issues that arise when using a counselling approach
• Describe the concept of change in the context of a counselling approach and the factors which facilitate and inhibit this process
• Demonstrate understanding of the need for consistent reflective practice when using a counselling approach, and be able to reflect on issues including how people interact in a group, and how their own motives and values can influence the helping process

Unit 2: Competencies

• Facilitate the exploration of the Speakers concerns in peer skills practice
• Help the Speaker identify personal motivators and inhibitors to change in peer skills practice

Unit 3: Knowledge

• Describe different theoretical perspectives commonly used in the counselling field, including Humanistic, Psychodynamic, and Cognitive Behavioural perspectives
• Describe the ways in which past and present life events impact on using a counselling approach
• Describe how own understanding of, and use of skills in, beginnings, middles, and endings phases in the counselling approach has increased
• Explain the nature of power and vulnerability in the professional/client relationship, and describe how own understanding of the need for ethical practice has developed

Unit 3: Competencies

• Facilitate exploration of the Speakers concerns and help the Speaker identify and evaluate various possible courses of action in peer skills practice
• Monitor self in the interaction with Speaker

Unit 4: Knowledge

• Describe the distinct characteristics of the Humanistic and Existential perspectives
• Describe Gestalt principles for counselling skills work
• Describe the concepts of freedom and responsibility in personal and professional decision making
• Discuss the concepts of belonging, social inclusion, and social exclusion
• Discuss the positive and negative effects of stress on the individual
• Explain the use and abuse of power in the Listener/Speaker relationship, and identify contributing factors to, and consequences of, boundary violations from both perspectives
• Discuss the COSCA definition of supervision
• Discuss the processes, skills, and attitudes characteristic of the beginnings, middles, and endings in a counselling approach
• Identify own experiences in working with the group on this course

Unit 4: Competencies

• Establish, maintain, and bring to an end a supportive interaction

Target Audience

This course is an excellent opportunity to make a first step into the area of counselling. It would be suitable for individuals considering a career in counselling, as well as those looking to develop themselves personally or professionally. The listening and self-reflection skills which will be developed throughout the course could be beneficial in a wide range of areas, including teaching, social work, management, and healthcare.

Qualifications/Credits

40 Credits at SCQF level 8 (level 2 at undergraduate study)

Mode of Study

The courses are taught in three-hour weekly classes over four 10-week blocks spaced throughout the year, in line with the University's teaching blocks. COSCA requires an 85% minimum attendance of classes in order to pass the course. Additional resources will be made available via the virtual learning environment, where assessments for each of the four modules will also be submitted. Assessments consist of a mixture of skills assessment and reflective written exercises, which are graded on a Pass/No-Pass basis. In addition to classes, students should aim to commit approximately three further hours of study per week to complete the course.

Prospects

There are a number of routes following on from this course. Students can learn more about counselling skills through other short courses, such as Working with Trauma and Art Psychotherapy. Completion of this course can also lead to further study, such as a Diploma in counselling, which can result in becoming an accredited counsellor, therapist, or psychotherapist.