Whether you’re considering a career in psychology or counselling or want to gain soft skills in this area, this online course provides a solid foundation to complement your current job or as a platform to further study.
Advanced Certificate of Psychology and Counselling is a professional development course that provides a deeper understanding of psychological disorders, human behaviour and critical counselling skills.
In this psychology and counselling course, you will learn about interpersonal skills, stress and conflict management strategies, mental health disorders, group dynamics, organisational psychology and social psychology.
You will also learn about the nature and scope of psychology, including biological and environmental effects on behaviour, personality, perception and motivation, as well as counselling and mediation techniques.
On completion of this course, you will have a solid foundation knowledge of the fields of psychology and counselling.
Course Structure
Introduction to Psychology
Unit 1 – The Nature and Scope of Psychology
- Theoretical approaches
- Psychologist’s study
- Behaviour
- Human and animal behaviour
- But it’s all common sense isn’t it?
- Different approaches to the study of human behaviour
- Neurobiological approach
- Behavioural approach
- Cognitive approach
- Psychoanalytical approach
- Phenomenological approach
- Eclectic approach
- Key issues in psychology
- Free will versus determinism
- Nature-nurture
- Developmental and interactive expressions of behaviour
- Applying psychology – questionnaires, interviews and surveys
- Designing a questionnaire
Unit 2 – Neurological Basis of Behaviour
- Structures of the nervous system
- The central nervous system (CNS)
- Other main parts of the brain
- The peripheral nervous system (PNS)
- Neurona and key terms
- Cranial nerves and spinal nerves
- The autonomic and somatic nervous systems
- How nerves transmit messages
- The brain and behaviour
- Methods of investigating the brain
- Invasive techniques
- Split brain operation
- Psychosurgery
- Non-invasive techniques
- Localisation of function
- New research on memory
Unit 3 – Environmental Effects on Behaviour
- Learning behaviour
- Modelling and conformity
- Conditioning
- Classical conditioning
- Definitions
- Operant conditioning
- Intrinsic and extrinsic reinforcers
- Motivation
- Consequences and timing
- Extinction
- Problems with punishment
- Learning and memory
- Three parts of our memory
- Memory improvement strategies
Unit 4 – Consciousness and Perception
- What is consciousness?
- The status of consciousness in psychology
- The relationship between consciousness and behaviour
- Unconscious and subconscious
- Altered states of consciousness
- Daydreams and sleeping and dreaming
- The origin of dreams
- The activation-synthesis theory
- Meditation
- Chemically altered consciousness
- Perception
- Selective attention
- Factors affecting perception
- Stereotypes
- Halo effect
- Attribution
- Perceptual change
- Cognitive dissonance
- Perceptual defence
Unit 5 – Personality
- Theories of personality
- Personality traits
- Theoretical approaches to human personality
- Social learning approach
- The psychoanalytic approach
- Freud’s five stages of development (personalities and morality are developed)
- Defence mechanisms
- The basic concept in Rogers’ theory of personality
- Genes and personality
- Personality disorders
- Multi-trait theories
- Eysenck’s personality theory
Unit 6 – Psychological Development
- Psychological development
- Nature vs nurture
- Environment and development
- Development as a sequence of stages
- Stages of development
- Piaget’s theory of cognitive development
- Sensorimotor stage
- Pre-operational stage
- Concrete operational stage
- Formal operational stage
- Moral development – Kohlberg’s theory of moral development
- Pre-conventional morality
- Conventional morality
- Post conventional morality
- Psychosexual development
- Freud’s psycho-sexual stages theory
- Psychosocial development
- Erikson’s psycho-social stages theory
- Adolescence
- Adult psychological development
- Criticisms of stage theories
Unit 7 – Needs, Drives and Motivation
- What motivates human behaviour
- Motivation
- The behaviourist drive theory of human motivation
- The definition of drive
- Primary drives
- Secondary drives
- Stimulation drives
- The psychoanalytical approach to human motivation
- Maslow’s theory of human motivation
- Self-actualisation
- Complementary and conflicting motives
- Conflicting motives
Psychology and counselling
Unit 1 – Stress
- Introduction
- The mind to body connection
- How to recognise stress
- What happens to the body when you experience stress
- The physiological response
- Chronic and acute stress
- Erikson’s psychosocial stages
- Oral sensory stage
- Anal muscular stage
- Genital locomotor stage
- Latency stage
- Adolescence
- Young adulthood
- Middle adulthood
- Late adulthood
- Social adjustment
- Relationship between stress and heart disease
- What are the basic sources of stress
- Why some people suffer more
- How to deal with stress
- Defence mechanisms
Unit 2 – Abnormal Behaviour
- Definition of abnormality
- Deviation from statistical norms
- Deviation from social norm
- Maladaptiveness in behaviour
- Personal distress
- Disability
- Wakefield’s harmful dysfunction concept
- Psychologically healthy individuals
- Deviation in character
- Classification of mental disorders
- Anxiety and mood disorders
- Prevalence of depression
- Treatment of depression
- Schizophrenia
- Substance related disorder
- Disorders diagnosed in childhood
- Delirium, Dementia, Amnestic and Cognitive disorders
- Problems with classification
Unit 3 – Individual Behaviour
- Pro social or altruistic behaviour
- When do children first exhibit pro social behaviour
- Socialisation
- Conformity
- Family influence
- Disciplinary measures
- Sibling influence
- Influence of family structure
- Influence of school
- Praise
- Influence of peers
- Heiders balance theory
- Dissonance theory
- Cognitive dissonance
Unit 4 – Group Behaviour
- Social considerations
- Temporary group
- Organised group
- Organisational groups
- The influence of groups
- Industrial groups
Unit 5 – Methods of Dealing with Abnormalities
- Professionals in counselling and psychology
- Therapist techniques
- Transference
- Directiveness and non directiveness
- Systematic desensitisation
- Behaviour therapies
- Psychoanalytical approach
- Psychoanalytic techniques
- Humanistic therapy
- Eclectic approach
Unit 6 – Conflict Resolution
- Conflict handling techniques
- Anger
- Negotiation
- Joint problem solving
- Problems with negotiation
- Mediation
- Procedure
- Running a mediation process in a conflict situation
- Agreements or contracts
- Suggested timetable for a mediation session
Unit 7 – Interpersonal Communication Skills
- Communication channels
- Effective communication
- Awareness
- Communication skills
- Hearing verbal messages
- Perceiving non verbal messages
- Responding
- Verbal and non verbal communication
- Body language
- Communication barriers
- Self awareness
- Self esteem
- Specific skills: listening, paraphrasing, reflective responses, etc
- Conversation development
- Professional relationship building
Study Hours
Estimated duration 100 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. 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.
Testimonials
I found the course very easy to navigate. My assignments were returned in a day and I felt confident to move on to next half. The tutors online where at hand with help with any clarification needed. Overall a great experience and I would highly recommend studying with them again.
L. Gallagher Colasante, Melbourne, VIC | Advanced Certificate of Psychology and Counselling
Great experience – thank you! System is easy to navigate, and tutors feedback is prompt and practical! Thank you
Denille | Rockhampton, QLD | Advanced Certificate of Psychology and Counselling
About Us
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Enrol Now
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.
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;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
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.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS 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 only 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:-
- Counsellor
- Community Services
- Health sector professionals
- Psychotherapist
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