Diploma of Counselling & Communication Skills

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In this subject, students are introduced to the core skills for counselling and change work, with specific reference to working with adults. The subject provides students with an opportunity to develop their counselling skills in an interactive and supportive learning environment with feedback from others, and to begin considering their preferred counselling style. The interrelationships between counselling theories and models and skills are explored. This subject also focuses on the research into counselling outcomes and effective change processes.

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This subject examines the practice and skills required for case management and program development community services. The subject includes an overview of the theory and practice of program planning, development and evaluation using case studies that address the complex and varied needs of clients.

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This subject consists of three lectures plus 120 hrs of industry placement. With both theory learning and industry placement, students will gain valuable experience of being involved in an organisation that offers counselling or other relevant community services to clients/consumers of their services. This subject also introduces students to ethics from a variety of perspectives and principles. Students learn how ethical and legal frameworks are applied to community services and counselling-related organisations.

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This subject provides students with basic understanding of mental health. It includes definitions of mental health, mental health theories, risk factors and disorders. The impact of mental illness in the community, and particularly on individual.

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In this subject, students are introduced to social and psycho-educational theories that will allow them to understand human practices, identities and social, psycho-educational structures.

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Counselling & Communication Skills (BHS103A) encompasses counselling skills commonly needed by complementary and alternative healthcare practitioners. This subject comprises a practical approach to a variety of communication skills and strategies including promoting change, compliance, obstacles to change, systems, transition and self-care. Sessions facilitate the development of effective listening and responding skills, increased personal awareness and insight in order to assist the building of a therapeutic relationship. This subject is vital in the education of all complementary healthcare practitioners, as it enables them to understand and put into use communication skills essential for building a therapeutic relationship in practice and supporting clients through change.

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The subject covers the principles social, emotional and psychological health as it specifically relates to behaviours. Students will analyse the role of positive emotions in capacity building and the promotion of wellbeing.

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This subject introduces students to the field of developmental psychology and explores what drives or motivates human behaviour. It examines the key life stages of birth, early and later childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, mid-life, ageing and death, taking into account their social and cultural contexts. Students are introduced to the work of scholarly work on the subject of human development. Drawing on a diversity of disciplines, topics include theories of attachment, cognitive and social development and the role of families and communities in supporting healthy development.