` Faculty of Arts and Business School of Social Sciences Teaching Session: Semester 1 Year: 2016 Course Coordinator: Neil Mellor Office: T2.32 Phone No: (07)5430 1265 Email: NMellor@usc.edu.au UCourse Outline Code: COU707 Title: Counselling and Mental Health 1. What is this course about? 1.1 Course description This course introduces you to the mental health and the role of counselling and other interventions used in this field. You will gain an understanding of mental health assessment, intervention and counselling processes as well as ethical issues. You will acquire the foundational knowledge and skills in the practice of mental health counselling and the current discourse around focused psychological strategies and evidence based practices. The course will examine a range of prescribed interventions utilised in the mental health field. You will utilise experiential approaches to learn practices skills. 1.2 Course content Mental health and illness Psychiatric classifications Pharmacology Assessment Case management Recovery Model Evidence Based Practice and Client Directed Outcome Informed Counselling Focused Psychological Strategies: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Narrative Therapy Mindfulness Approaches: Acceptance and commitment therapy Influential contributor example in mental health counselling: Transactional Analysis 2. Unit value 12 units
Page 2 3. How does this course contribute to my learning? Specific Learning Outcomes Assessment Tasks Graduate Qualities On successful completion of this course you should be able to: You will be assessed on the learning outcome in task/s: Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming: Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the mental health field by critically examining understandings of what constitutes mental illness, health and recovery including evidence-based diagnosis and treatment paradigms. Critically analyse and synthesis the complex knowledge required to the tailoring of counselling interventions linked to individual change goals within a consumer context. Apply specialist skills in mental health in an ethical, professional and personal counselling practice. Demonstrate transparent and intentional interpersonal counselling with people experiencing mental health difficulties in the context of the client's psycho-social and contextual factors. 1 and 2 Knowledgeable. Creative and critical thinkers. 2 and 3a Empowered. Ethical. 3a 3a and 3b Engaged. Ethical. Empowered. Sustainability-focussed. 4. Am I eligible to enrol in this course? Refer to the Coursework Programs and Awards - Academic Policy for definitions of pre-requisites, corequisites and anti-requisites 4.1 Enrolment restrictions Must be enrolled in AR708 or SC720 4.2 Pre-requisites Nil 4.3 Co-requisites Nil 4.4 Anti-requisites Nil
Page 3 4.5 Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills N/A 5. How am I going to be assessed? 5.1 Grading scale Standard High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL) 5.2 Assessment tasks Task Assessment Tasks No. 1 Mental health treatment system online test 2 Mental health treatment plan 3a Role-play interview demonstration Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration/ length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it? Individual 20% 1 hour Friday, Week 4 Blackboard Individual 30% 2500 words Individual 30% 30 minutes Friday, Week 11 Friday, Week 13 Blackboard Counselling Studio 3b Role play critique Individual 20% 1500 words 100% Friday, Week 13 Blackboard Assessment Task 1: Mental health treatment system online test Goal: You will demonstrate knowledge of key concepts and treatments used in the Mental Health Treatment System. Product: An online test Format: An online multiple choice test that addresses the main diagnostic and classification system of mental health (DSM), Pharmacology. Criteria Accuracy in understanding key concepts relating to material covered in first 4 weeks of the course. USkill assessment levelu Problem solving Assessment Task 2: Mental health treatment plan Goal: You will create a mental health treatment plan based on a case study provided. Product: A detailed outline for mental health intervention plan Format: Your plan will include identification of significant assessment items, possible diagnosis and conceptualisation of clients presenting issues, client risk factors, suggested prioritisation of counsellor goals and description of counselling approach or model. Criteria Understanding of the Biomedical, Psychological and Social frameworks for viewing mental illness. Assessment, formulation and provision of intervention from a counselling perspective. Adherence to rules of coherent argument. Use of appropriate literature and research to support the argument. Consistent and appropriate referencing techniques.
Page 4 Communication Organisation Skill assessment level Assessment Task 3a: Role play interview demonstration Goal: The aim of this assessment task is for you to illustrate a Client Directed Outcome- Informed counselling approach with a client who is experiencing mental health difficulties. You will use a counselling approach covered in the course or your preferred style. Product: Role play interview demonstration. Format: A recording of an interview that demonstrates the effective use of client outcome and satisfaction measures. Criteria Effective use of counselling skills from the preferred therapy model selected. Intentionality in managing the counselling session. Appropriate use of language, timing and ethical considerations. Skill assessment level Applying technologies Assessment Task 3b: Role play critique Goal: The aim of this assessment is for you to critically appraise the strengths and limitations of your counselling style based on the information provided the client feedback measures used in Assignment 3. Product: Role play critique Format: Completion of a written critique of a role play simulation. Criteria Demonstrate knowledge of the application of Client Directed Outcome Informed approaches to counselling mental health clients. Illustrates critical and reflective thinking on the collection and use of client data and feedback on the therapeutic alliance. Demonstrates the ability to communicate and reflect on self-performance use of a counselling modality. Consistent and appropriate referencing. Skill assessment level Communication 5.3 Additional assessment requirements SafeAssign (Blackboard) In order to minimise incidents of plagiarism and collusion, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks are submitted electronically via SafeAssign. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that SafeAssign has access to. If required, details of how to submit via SafeAssign will be provided on the Blackboard site of the course. Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale c) You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
Page 5 5.4 Submission penalties Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate: 5% (of the assessment task s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 10% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the third day 20% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome. 6. How is the course offered? 6.1 Directed study hours On campus Workshop: 3 hours per week 6.2 Teaching semester/session(s) offered Semester 1 6.3 Course activities Teaching What key concepts/content will I Week / learn? Module What activities will I engage in to learn the concepts/content? Directed Study Independent Study Activities Activities 1 Mental health, illness and treatment 2 Psychiatric classification: syndromes, aetiology 3 Pharmacology 4 Good Friday Public Holiday 25 th March Recovery Model Mid Semester Break 5 Case management 6 Mental health assessment 7 Client directed outcome informed counselling and strengths base counselling
Page 6 8 Anzac Day Public Holiday 25 th April 9 Labour Day Public Holiday 2 nd May Focussed psychological strategies Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Narrative Therapy Focussed psychological strategies Interpersonal psychotherapy 10 Mindfulness based Therapies: Acceptance and commitment therapy 11 Application of contemporary counselling approaches to mental health conditions: Anxiety, Depression and Trauma 12 Example of influential models of psychotherapy: Transactional Analysis and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy 13 Review and integration Please note that the course activities may be subject to variation. 7. What resources do I need to undertake this course? 7.1 Prescribed text(s) Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below: Author Year Title Publisher Hungerford, C., Hodgson, D., Clancy, R., Monisse-Redman, M., Jones, T. D. 2015 Mental health Care: An introduction for Health Professions in Australia Milner, J., O Byrne, P. 2004 Assessment in counselling: theory, process and decision-making Wiley & Sons Australia. Palgrave Macmillan. 7.2 Required and recommended readings Lists of required and recommended readings may be found for this course on its Blackboard site. These materials/readings will assist you in preparing for tutorials and assignments, and will provide further information regarding particular aspects of your course. 7.3 Specific requirements Additional information will be provided on Blackboard 7.4 Risk management There is minimal health and safety risk in this course. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas.
Page 7 8. How can I obtain help with my studies? In the first instance you should contact your tutor, then the Course Coordinator. Student Life and Learning provides additional assistance to all students through Peer Advisors and Academic Skills Advisors. You can drop in or book an appointment. To book: Tel: +61 7 5430 1226 or Email: StudentLifeandLearning@usc.edu.au 9. Links to relevant University policies and procedures For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including: Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs Review of Assessment and Final Grades Supplementary Assessment Administration of Central Examinations Deferred Examinations Student Academic Misconduct Students with a Disability http://www.usc.edu.au/university/governance-and-executive/policies-and-procedures#academic-learningand-teaching 10. Faculty specific information Locating Journal Articles If you have been notified that the journal articles in this course are available on e-reserve, use the on-line library catalogue to find them. For journal articles not on e-reserve, click on the "Journals and Newspapers" link on the Library Homepage. Enter the journal title e.g. History Australia, then search for the volume and issue or keyword as needed. Assignment Cover Sheets The Faculty of Arts and Business assignment cover sheet can be found on Blackboard or on the USC Portal at: Faculty of Arts and Business (Students) > Forms. It must be completed in full identifying student name, assignment topic, tutor and tutorial time. This must be attached securely to the front of each assessment item prior to submission. Claims of loss of assignments will not be considered unless supported by a receipt. Help: If you are experiencing problems with your studies or academic work, consult your tutor in the first instance or the Course Coordinator as quickly as possible. Difficulties: If you are experiencing difficulties relating to teaching and assessment you should approach your tutor in the first instance. If not satisfied after that you should approach in order your Course Coordinator, Program Coordinator then Head of School. General enquiries Student Central - Building C Tel: +61 7 5430 2890 Fax: +61 7 5430 2882 Email: Studentcentral@usc.edu.au