FdA Counselling

Year 1

Core modules

• Introduction to the Person-Centred Approach (COBC1197)

  The module guides the student in an examination of the counselling/helping relationship within an ethical context of the National Counselling Society and British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Ethical Frameworks and further contextualised within the Person-Centred Approach as the essential core theory underpinning the whole course.

• Developing Counselling Skills (COBC1198)

  In this module the student will be supported in developing their understanding and application of generic counselling skills. Each student will have the opportunity to research the subject further, and working within their peer group, conduct a seminar focussing on a specific area of formative development within their skills.

• Steps Toward Integrative Practice (COBC1200)

  This module will support a consideration of models of integration within a range of counselling contexts. The student will research the key elements of humanistic counselling that lend themselves to integration within an ethical and effective approach to counselling.

• Professional Practice 1 (COBC1216)

  The module provides an introduction to reflective practice to support the student in exploring a range of issues through consideration of the spectrum of Helping placements to which the group belongs. Students will have completed their 30 hours of Helping Placement, and present their learning to the group by means of individual defended presentations.  The student will also be expected to demonstrate a minimum of 10 hours of personal therapy taken at any time during the first stage of the programme. 

Year 2

Core modules

• Humanistic Approaches to Counselling (COBC1201)

  This module offers an opportunity to explore humanistic approaches to counselling, identifying and researching relevant theories and techniques within the context of the study. The student will then explore and critically evaluate potential adoption of relevant elements of the approaches within their current and future practice.

• Working with Loss and Grief (COBC1202)

  The module aims to explore the grieving process, the concept of loss and models involving tasks, stages and process. Students will demonstrate the use of counselling skills in working with clients grief in response to loss.

• Human Development in Relation to Counselling (COBC2169)

  The module aims to support students to develop a sound knowledge of human development, identifying key areas such as transitions, systems theory, and attachment in childhood and adulthood. The module will develop understanding of issues affecting clients as they experience the change processes associated with the human lifespan, in turn supporting the student to work more effectively with these issues.

• Personal Development and Enhanced Counselling Skills (COBC2193)

  The module aims to enhance the student’s level of counselling skills and awareness of self-development by using a range of creative materials and techniques to explore the subject within the context of the Counselling Placement. 

Final year

Core modules

• Professional Practice 2: Consolidating Practice Knowledge and Skills (COBC2194)

  The module offers students opportunities to examine underpinning knowledge, facts and experiences that enable students to counsel professionally and ethically. It equips students to use supervision effectively and appropriately in their counselling. It examines personal and professional development to optimise their professional roles.  The student must also demonstrate a minimum of 10 hours of personal therapy. This can be undertaken at any time during the second stage of the programme.

Optional modules

• Accessing and Applying Research Methodology (COBC2171)

  This module will offer the counselling student the opportunity to consider research as an independent discipline as well as within a counselling context. The student will be encouraged to identify an area that they would like to research within their current or future practice, and to take the first steps toward approaching this research subject.

• Mental Health within a Counselling Context (COBC2172)

  In this module the student is encouraged to heighten their awareness of what constitutes good mental health for self and others, and to identify ways in which this can deteriorate into mental disorder. The study will consider statutory health care provision and the way in which counsellors can work as part of a multi-disciplinary approach to care.

• Creative Approaches to Counselling (COBC2174)

  In this module, which further considers the use of creative approaches in counselling work, the student will have the opportunity to experience diverse media ranging from the incorporation of creative writing, journaling and art therapy, to the use of expressive movement in terms of dance and dramatherapy, as well as media such as sand tray work.