Unit Description
An introduction to the foundational ethical, social and legal aspects of professional counselling practice.
This 6-credit point unit introduces students to the foundational ethical, social, and legal aspects of professional counselling practice. Students will learn the importance of adhering to legal requirements and ethical and professional guidelines in relation to confidentiality, privacy, record-keeping, secure storage of client records in electronic and paper form, making referrals, and writing reports. They will develop skills in using genograms to assess and analyse familial patterns and for case presentations across generations. The practice of clinical supervision as an essential ethical requirement for professional counselling practice is introduced. Students will present counselling clients in supervision and receive feedback on their counselling practice from their supervisor. Professional documents including client contracts, consent to release information forms, and supervision and counselling logs, are introduced in this unit.
Unit Code
108S
Unit Type
Core Unit
Study Period
Semester 2, Year 1
Credit Points
6.0
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- a) Identify and apply key legal, ethical and professional requirements in holistic counselling practice
- b) Understand the role of clinical supervision in the counselling profession and utilise supervision to ensure competent and ethical counselling practice
- c) Prepare and present client cases in supervision sessions to demonstrate the integration of holistic counselling knowledge and skills
- d) Explore familial influences and patterns across generations in practice sessions using genograms where appropriate.
- e) Critically reflect on professional practice areas and personal aspects of self in need of further development
- f) Apply the principles of the holistic model to working with clients
Delivery Mode
Blended: Intensive workshops, supervision, personal study, and placement.
The total unit workload is equivalent to 11.87 hours per week over the semester, 190 hours in total.
● 12 hours on-campus workshop intensives
● 100 hours of placement including 15 client hours (recommended minimum)
● 10 hours supervision (at intensives and via Zoo during the semester)
● 68 hours personal study
Available in Courses
This unit is available in the following courses:
Specialist Training in Holistic Counselling & Psychotherapy Specialist Training in Holistic Counselling - 1 YearCreated: June 28, 2021, 5:05 p.m. • Updated: July 12, 2023, 12:26 p.m.