2. MASTER OF COUNSELLING DEGREE

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2 Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION 3 Purpose of the Handbook 3 2. MASTER OF COUNSELLING DEGREE 4 Degree structure 5 Unit descriptions 6 Teaching Mode 8 Practicum placements 9 Accreditation 9 Application process FAQs PROGRAM SCHEDULE 2014/

3 INTRODUCTION Thank you for your interest in the University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney Campus. The Master of Counselling program at the University of Notre Dame Australia offers an integrated and organised course of instruction leading to a professional qualification in Counselling with accreditation by PACFA (The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia). This degree program adopt a humanistic and existentialist orientation to theory and practice following a tradition in psychology and counselling developed by such people as Carl Rogers, Fritz Perls, William Glasser and Gerard Egan as well as others. The programs seek to assist a holistic development of persons utilizing their strengths, so that they can realize their potential as individuals in a process conceived of as lifelong and dynamic. To this end, one of the main goals of these courses is ongoing reflective practice and group experiential work. Students of counselling are encouraged to value the privilege of being in service to others while at the same time nurturing themselves. PURPOSE OF THE HANDBOOK This handbook is a preliminary information guide for prospective students as well as new counselling students. It provides an outline of the degree structure and all unit descriptions. Within these pages are useful contacts and FAQs, which may answer some of the more common questions about the program.

4 MASTER OF COUNSELLING DEGREE The Master of Counselling is based on the scientist/practitioner model and has a significant practice component. It is a part-time or full-time program offered by coursework and dissertation. The program provides a flexible academic framework, which fulfils a range of needs from the introduction to counselling skills and practice, to a deepening of theoretical understandings and an increasing integration of theory and its application to the client-counsellor relationship. The program is suitable for people who are already in the counselling profession, future counsellors and those applicants who may utilize counselling skills in another profession. Master of Counselling graduates have valuable skills that make them attractive to a wide range of employers and organisations. It is possible to gain employment in areas such as: Private practice Community-orientated general counselling Secondary and post-secondary counselling services Organisational staff counselling services Pastoral counselling Mental health services Research and Evaluation Prospective students should demonstrate their personal and professional interest in the program when completing their application to commence the Master of Counselling degree at Notre Dame. The degree has been designed to meet the coursework criteria for registration with PACFA (The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia), which requires a minimum of two years training.

5 DEGREE STRUCTURE YEAR ONE SEMESTER ONE SEMESTER TWO Unit Number Title Credit Pts Unit Number Title Credit Pts CN501 Formation of the Professional 15 CN501 Formation of the Professional 15 Counsellor Counsellor CN599 Theories & Approaches to 20 CN503 Counselling Couples & Families 15 Counselling CN500 Counselling Skills Revision 20 CN505 Research Topic & Seminar 15 Presentation RM5010 Research Methods 25 ET502 Ethical Issues in Professional Life 25 CN509 Narrative Therapy Workshop 20 CN507 Psychosexual Therapy Workshop 15 CN511 Trauma Counselling Workshop 15 Total Credit Points 100 Total Credit Points 100 Total Credit Points Year One 200 YEAR TWO SEMESTER ONE SEMESTER TWO Unit Credit Unit Title Number Pts Number Title Credit Pts CN602 Placement/Supervision/Case 30 CN602 Placement/Supervision/Case 30 Studies Studies ( full year unit) CN606 Dissertation 115 CN606 Dissertation (full year unit) CN600 From Theory to Practice 25 Total Credit Points 145 Total Credit Points 55 Total Credit Points Year Two 200 TOTAL COURSE CREDIT POINTS 400

6 UNIT DESCRIPTIONS CN500 Counselling Skills Revision Many of the master degree students will have had counselling skills training prior to the commencement of the course. This unit will allow for revision and fine tuning of skills required for effective counselling intervention. CN501 Formation of the Professional Counsellor This unit is experientially based and allows students to explore personal issues in group. This is necessary so that counsellors can identify what might be blocking them in practice. In Semester 1, students are group participants but in Semester 2 they are also given an opportunity to facilitate the group under supervision. CN503 Couples, Families Counselling This unit examines counselling issues that relate to working with couples and families. Firstly, it will examine family systems and structure, family development stages and changes, and the family as a social system. Secondly, it will look at the basic models of couples and family counselling and therapy. The family systems, experiential, developmental and cognitive behavioural models will be looked at. Thirdly, it will address the various assessment and interventions with couples and family issues that are typically presented in counselling. CN505 Research Topic and Seminar Presentation Student centred learning is emphasised in this unit. A single topic will be researched by each student and presented in seminar form to the masters group. This method of study increases knowledge dissemination within the group. CN507 Psychosexual Therapy Workshop Sexual dysfunction and issues around sexuality are endemic in our society. The area of sexuality is broad and multifaceted and specific training is required to ensure Counsellors have the skills and knowledge necessary to provide quality service to their clients. This area is clearly a sensitive one

7 and Counsellors need to be able to foster exploration of these issues and respond effectively to client concerns as they present. This Workshop will provide students with the skills and knowledge required to address the area of psychosexual counselling. CN509 Narrative Therapy Workshop This advanced narrative therapy course guides students through the philosophical, political, moral and ethical aspects of a narrative approach to counselling and therapy. A poststructuralist and narrative orientation proposes that people seek to make sense of their lived experience through the telling of stories. Listening with an interpretive ear to these stories can open up therapeutically fruitful explorations and give rich understandings of experiences, as narratives provide the principal frame through which people have the opportunity to make sense of the past, shape their views about the present, and influence the prediction of future possibilities. Sexual abuse, couple conflict, domestic violence, anxiety, depression, eating problems, and child and adolescent concerns are some of the areas that have been successfully addressed with narrative approaches. It has also been adopted in a variety of community contexts. CN511 Trauma Counselling Workshop Trauma counselling is an often misused generic term. It refers to an interpersonal counselling process in which the counsellor assists a person affected by a traumatic event or crisis to problem-solve or manage the issues, which have created emotional difficulties or psychological disturbance. Many counsellors are called upon to provide trauma counselling as part of their professional practice. The provision of structured, short-term assistance to people in the aftermath of traumatic events requires a range of knowledge and skills in order to meet the needs of those affected. CN599 Theories & Approaches to Counselling Counsellors need to be familiar with the philosophical and theoretical approaches, which guide their practice. Many different approaches are used in counselling, depending on how the client presents with his or her problem. This unit addresses a broad range of theories, including: Psychoanalytic Theory, Existential Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Behavioural approaches. RM5010 Research Methods This unit provides a broad exposure to the principal forms of social science research used in counselling, educational and related social sciences. As such, it provides a basic foundation in research design, methods, data collection and data analysis for higher degree students planning to proceed to a dissertation or thesis. At the same time, it offers a general understanding of research design and methodological issues for professionals who may be

8 required to commission investigations or approve proposals for study by others, and who need to be able to interpret and critically evaluate the findings of published research. Students gain experience in a range of qualitative and quantitative techniques which can be used by practising professionals to carry out individual or team-based action-research into issues arising from their own work settings, organisations, or wider professional activities. Emphasis is on differentiating between, and making appropriate and justified choices among, the principal paradigms or methodological approaches used by contemporary social science researchers. CN600 From Theory to Practice Pre-requisite units: Completion of first year of the Master of Counselling This unit aims to expand the understanding and practice of students as Counsellors. Students will consider such issues as cognitive distortions and awareness of feelings and the manner in which these might affect the counselling process. Students will learn how to create a safe environment in which both the counsellor and client can operate and will assess, evaluate and apply change-oriented, activity based interventions. This unit provides students with an opportunity to critically examine aspects of counselling practice, and to apply to it the findings of contemporary research. In addition, students will be encouraged to use core reflection to enhance their professional growth. CN602 Case Studies/Placement and Supervision Counselling is a practice discipline, and students are given the opportunity to work with clients in a way, which is consistent with the course philosophy, rationale and design. A case study is an opportunity to express the world of the client in a structured form and also critically evaluate counselling interventions in a detailed yet concise manner. Supervision is a way of giving the student the opportunity to reflect on their role in the counselling process. Approaches to counselling are discussed, as are plans for each session. Counselling without supervision is not recognised for accreditation purposes and is therefore a very necessary course requirement. CN606 Dissertation Given the practitioner nature of this degree, it is considered appropriate that the dissertation should deal with some area of counselling practice. The work must consist of an original investigation into an approved topic and should contribute to the general body of counselling knowledge. The report shall be of not less than words in length excluding references and bibliography, and not more than words. The research must be soundly based and use either quantitative or qualitative methods

9 TEACHING MODE The Master of Counselling teaching delivery focuses on experiential learning while maintaining sound theoretical foundations. Teaching formats include: Lectures Workshops Group work Field education using practicum placements Discussions boards, blogs, etc. PRACTICUM PLACEMENTS The practicum is an essential component of Notre Dame's Master of Counselling degree. The Counselling practicum will be closely supervised by the unit coordinator and will take place off campus. A total of no less than 50 hours of counselling practice, and no less than 30 hours of supervision, will be a course requirement. This is in line with the PACFA training requirement. Two case studies will be submitted as a course requirement (one per semester), based on client counselling during placement. Close communication will take place between the Placement Coordinator and the Course Coordinator. Some students may be permitted to undertake the practicum at their place of employment, if suitable and subject to approval by the Counselling coordinator. Others will gain counselling practice in locations approved by the University. Links have already been made with established training organisations which are willing to cooperate in the program by providing opportunities for students to practice their skills. ACCREDITATION

10 The Counselling program at University of Notre Dame Australia was established over 20 years ago at the Freemantle Campus and currently takes place across both Sydney and Fremantle campuses. It meets the criteria for professional counsellor registration with PACFA and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and. The degree has PACFA accreditation in line with the following training standards described by PACFA: Members must have completed a Postgraduate Equivalent qualification over a minimum of two years, 200 hours of person-to-person psychotherapy and/or counselling training and 50 hours of supervision relating to 200 hours of client contact. A minimum of 10 hours of supervision relating to 40 client contact hours must have taken place within the training program (these 10 hours are part of the 50 hours of supervision). (PACFA Training Standards 2009). APPLICATION PROCESS & FEES Admission is open to those who possess a degree (or equivalent) in a related area. In addition, applicants must have completed a unit in Developmental Psychology (or equivalent, as determined by the Dean) within the previous ten years. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will normally be required to enrol in and successfully complete a Developmental Psychology unit during the Master of Counselling course. Prior experience doing counselling work (paid or volunteer) is an added advantage. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview. International and Domestic applicants may apply. However, international applications will only be considered for full time study due to visa conditions. For further information on The University of Notre Dame Australia and the Admissions Process, please contact: The Prospective Students Office, Sydney Campus Admissions Office, Sydney Campus Phone: (02) Phone: (02) Fax: (02) Fax: (02) [email protected] [email protected] Internet: Internet: Broadway (PO Box 944), Broadway NSW Broadway (PO Box 944), Broadway NSW 2007

11 For information pertaining to the Course and Practicum Placements, please contact: Course Coordinator Dr Ebi Cocodia Phone: (02) Administration Office, School of Arts and Sciences Ms Candice Henriques Phone: (02) FAQs 1. What is the course structure? The degree consists of evening lectures and intensive/ weekend workshops. In the second year of study the dissertation unit provides the opportunity to complete a qualitative or quantitative research project. This makes it appealing to those who wish to gain research experience. Placement and supervision also takes place in the second year. 2. Can I claim advanced standing for prior learning? If you have gained relevant qualifications or completed appropriate courses you may apply for recognition of prior learning. Note that all applications are subject to approval by the Dean of Arts & Sciences. 3. How long does it take to complete the degree? 2 years full time (and part time equivalent).

12 4. What can I expect from placements? Students will negotiate a suitable day with their chosen supervisor to attend the placement location. In liaison with the coordinator, students are expected to be supervised at least once a fortnight. Upon enrolment more details will be available in the placement kit. 5. Do I need police checks? Some organisations may require the trainee to provide a police clearance. The placement officer may discuss this with you. 6. Do I require immunisation? Some organisations may require the trainee gets immunisation shots prior to commencing the placement. The placement officer may discuss this with you if required. 7. Can I enrol mid-year? Yes there is a mid-year intake. This publication reflects policy and practice in force as at 10 February 2013, and takes no account of developments and changes made since that date. Every effort has been made to ensure that this publication is correct at the time of printing. The University reserves the right to make subsequent changes. The content and details of courses and degrees offered by the University of Notre Dame Australia may vary from time to time. Please consult the Notre Dame website for updates and amendments.