Unit Description
The development of skills in self-awareness through inner work is central to the holistic counselling and psychotherapy model.
The development of skills in self-awareness through inner work is central to the holistic counselling and psychotherapy model. This 3-credit point Inner Work 1 unit develops the metaskills of deep respect, listening, presence in relationship, the ‘not knowing’ or ‘beginner’s’ mind and curiosity.
Self-reflective exercises are introduced in this unit, including the use of rapid writing, journaling, drawing, mindfulness and meditation. Exercises in this unit are designed both for the development of the therapist and to be applied in therapy sessions for the empowerment of clients.
Specific exercises in Process Oriented work are developed, including “Working on Yourself Alone” (Mindell, 2014), dream work, body work and relationships. The flirting exercise (Mindell, 2002) and other experiential exercises such as Goethe’s observation of nature are introduced, to develop students’ capacity to open to deeper levels of awareness than everyday consciousness, thereby becoming aware of the essence, or the working of a universal consciousness in each person’s life.
Unit Code
102
Unit Type
Core Unit
Study Period
Year 1, Semester 1
Credit Points
3.0
Unit Coordinator
Consultation Times
30 minutes before and after workshop intensives and by appointment during the semester
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- a) Utilise the skills of journaling, rapid writing, guided meditation and drawing to increase self-awareness and in counselling work with clients
- b) Apply experiential exercises to develop the capacity to notice signals and open to deeper levels of awareness
- c) Apply core process oriented and metaskills to self and in working with others to develop an active self-reflective process
- d) Bring a ‘beginner’s mind’ and curiosity to counselling practice and wonder to oneself and others about the experience of connecting with the deeper mystery of life
- e) Demonstrate critical awareness of their strengths and limitations in counselling practice, thereby knowing when to appropriately refer, seek their own therapy, and utilise supervision
Graduate Attributes
| Attributes | Statement |
|---|---|
| Collaboration | Our graduates will have advanced skills in collaborating respectfully with colleagues, teams and clients to enhance productive outcomes and manage conflict skilfully |
| Ethical practice and integrity | Our graduates will demonstrate high ethical standards in their work and follow professional Codes of Ethics to do good (beneficence) and avoid harm (maleficence) |
| Holistic awareness | Our graduates will have an in-depth understanding of how the physical body, the psyche and mind/ spirit/self are in constant interaction and relationship with each other and with the environment |
| Communication | Our graduates will have well-developed written and oral communication skills, including listening deeply and receiving, interpreting and transmitting complex information, on many levels of awareness with colleagues, clients and the community |
| Lifelong learning | Our graduates will have the skills necessary to successfully manage their careers and continue their personal and professional development in rapidly changing environments across their career spans |
| Critical thinking | Our graduates will have critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate and analyse information and make informed professional judgements |
Delivery Mode
Workshop intensive on-campus 1:
9:00 am – 5:30 pm
On-campus teaching comprises 12 hours in total.
Study Buddy activities
Eight hours over the semester
Student Workload
The total unit workload is equivalent to 7.25 hours per week over the semester, 116 hours in total.
- Twelve hours of on-campus workshop intensives
- 8 hours study buddy work
- 96 personal study hours
Available in Courses
This unit is available in the following courses:
Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (Holistic Practice) Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Holistic Practice)Created: April 27, 2021, 4:11 p.m. • Updated: March 4, 2024, 4:46 p.m.