Counselling is central to the wellbeing and mental health of individuals. As such, counselling requires a high standard of professionalism to ensure the process is ethical and effective. So, if you work as a counsellor or in a social welfare, medical or health care role, this course is valuable professional development for you.
Professional Practice in Counselling is an online professional development course that explores best care practices for clients and patients through a focus on self-awareness and continued self-improvement as a counselling professional.
In this online counselling course, you will learn about the personal qualities of an effective counsellor, gain insights into your values and influences, and understand areas for personal growth. You’ll also learn about personality tests, what is considered a healthy personality, the importance of ethics, informed consent, and the right to privacy.
You will also discover the importance of psychometric testing, record keeping, observation in supervision, and the counsellor’s responsibility to the client.
On completion of this course, you will have a comprehensive understanding of professional practice in counselling to improve the therapeutic relationship with clients.
Course Structure
Unit - Professional Practice in Counselling
Unit 1 – Understanding Counselling
- Characteristics of an effective counsellor
- Counselling the counsellor
- Issues faced by counsellors
- Values
- The counsellor’s values
- Value conflicts
- Culture
- Counselling issues
- Common issues that the counsellor will encounter
Unit 2 – Ethics and Confidentiality
- Counsellor training
- Ethical applications
- A Code of Ethics
- Making ethical decisions
- Informed consent
- Right to privacy
- Legal requirements – reporting information
- Ethics and culture
- Use of psychometric tests
- Test example
- Non-psychometric testing
- Ethics and multiple relationship
- Record keeping
Unit 3 – Understanding the Self
- Sense of self
- Self-awareness
- Self-concept
- Roles
- Identity
- Influence on self-awareness
- Counsellor self-awareness
- Self-monitoring
- Self-actualisation
- Perceiving others
- Social perception
- Scripts
- Influence on the counsellor
- Attribution theory
- Implicit personality theory
- Relationships
- Attractiveness
- Closeness
- Similarity
- Emergence of relationships
- Attractiveness
- Closeness
- Similarity
- Emergence of relationships
- Social exchange
- Self-disclosure
- Social skills
- Love and intimacy
- Relationship breakdown
Unit 4 – Personality
- Personality and wellbeing
- Personality and counselling applications
- Trait theories of personality
- Psychodynamic approaches to personality
- Jungian theory
- Humanistic approaches to personality
- Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
- Client-centred theory
- Gestalt theory
- Influence on the counselling process
- Social learning and cognitive approaches to personality
- Social learning theory
- Personal construct theory
- Influence on the counselling process
- Critique of personality theories
- Different approaches
Unit 5 – Emotions and Behaviour
- Aspects of emotion
- Observing emotions
- Influence of emotions
- Motivational influence
- Effect on communication
- Expressing emotional intensity
- Sensorimotor emotional orientation
- Concrete emotional orientation
- Abstract formal operational emotional orientation
- Abstract dialectic emotional orientation
- Using the model
- Influence on the counselling process
- Emotional expression and counselling
- Culture & emotional expression
- Transference & countertransference
- Transference (two parts)
- Working with transference
- Countertransference
- Working with countertransference
Unit 6 – Supervision
- Why supervision?
- The counsellor as part of the health care team
- Issues in supervision
- Supervision and power
- Working with other
- Quantity and effectiveness of supervision
- Personal counselling
- Upgrading skills
- Focus on clarity
- Dependency
- Types of supervision
- Supervisor and trainee together
- Use of a one-way mirror
- Tv observation
- Video and audio
- Verbatim reports
Unit 7 – Referral Practice
- Counselling or mental health services
- Conditions for counsellors
- Conditions for mental health services
- Secondary care counsellors
- Waiting lists
- Abnormal psychology
- What is abnormal?
- Use of tests
- Anxiety (5 types)
- Depression
- Types of depression
- Schizophrenia and related disorders
- Personality disorders
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 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
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
Processional Development for:-
- Counsellors
- Psychologists
- Social workers
- Nursing
- Health care professionals
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