Abuse Counselling

Unfortunately, in today's society there is an increasing need for counsellor support for individuals and families who are victims of different forms of abuse. The Abuse Counselling Advanced Study Major provides a comprehensive insight into the subject of abuse and teaches the counsellor to deal with sensitive Abuse issues in a professional and practical manner.

Topics covered in this Advanced Study Major include:

• Defining different types of abuse and exploring the societal myths about abuse and abuse survivors

• Exploring partner abuse and domestic violence along with common intervention methods and programs

• The ethical and legal challenges and stresses of the role of abuse counsellor and how to address these challenges

• How to develop a trusting relationship with clients who have been abused

• Therapeutic techniques and approaches are explored

• Recognising when to refer clients who have suffered abuse to another professional, and

• Working with perpetrators of abuse.

Relationship Counselling and Conflict Resolution

The Relationship Counselling and Conflict Resolution Advanced Study Major presents you with a thorough exploration of the complexities of human relationships in such a way that appropriate counselling solutions can be directly related to relationship problems. The Major includes popular therapeutic approaches and counselling techniques, along with application to current significant relationship trends to give this Major a contemporary, hands-on and solution orientated approach.

Topics covered in this Advanced Study Major include:

• the dynamics of interpersonal relationships, and recognising indications and contraindications for relationship counselling

• types of problems presented at relationship counselling

• the differences between men and women’s styles of communication

• key principles for effective work with couples and ways of solving relationship problems

• the process of relationship counselling including understanding client needs and concerns, applying the CUDSAIR Seven Step Model for Solving Relationship Problems and effectively terminating sessions with couples; divorce counselling and mediation

• exploring the dynamics of same-sex relationships and guidelines for appropriate counselling practice

• and professional and ethical challenges of being a Relationship Counsellor.

Career Counselling

Career Counselling is a specialised field of counselling which focuses on working with clients who are starting their careers or making a significant change in career. The Advanced Study Major progresses through the stages of career counselling: understanding the career needs of the client, the connection between values and attitudes and preferred career choice, and facilitating a client to make a successful career change. Several useful practical resources that Career Counsellors can apply in their work are also included.

Topics covered in this Advanced Study Major include:

• the importance of work and career in people's lives and factors that influence and impact on a person's choice of career

• identifying and clarifying a client's values and attitudes and their congruence with career choice

• gaining knowledge of the key theoretical perspectives and models of career counselling

• using appropriate tests in the assessment phase of career counselling

• career decision making and goal setting

• assisting clients to gain employment in their chosen career including searching for a job, developing a resume and application letters and preparing for an employment interview

• appreciating the issues of minority groups in relation to careers and employment.

Grief and Loss Counselling

The Grief and Loss Counselling Major is a very popular course that provides you with the knowledge and skills necessary for counselling clients who have experienced a significant loss and grief. All types of losses are considered along with the subsequent grief that occurs. The issues that accompany the loss of health, a loved one or a job must be confronted by all of us at some time or another.

Topics covered in this Advanced Study Major include:

• the types of loss that can result in a grief reaction

• exploring reactions to loss and grief within the definitions of ‘normal’ and ‘complicated’ grieving; the similarities and differences between men and women’s grieving behaviour

• key models to explain responses to a significant loss

• principles for assessment and intervention in working with people who experience loss and grief

• practical application of skills in working with grief and loss clients, including self-evaluation

• identifying and arranging effective referral for clients to another professional

• and challenges and stresses in the role of Grief and Loss Counsellor.

Child Development & Effective Parenting

Parents perform one of society's most important functions - they raise the next generation. Unfortunately, however, we are rarely taught the skills required for effective parenting. The Child Development and Effective Parenting Major is based upon behavioural principles which when applied are highly effective in bringing about positive and healthy behaviours for both the parent and the child. The program includes an easy to follow, step-by-step approach to effective parenting which can be readily applied or taught to parents by the counsellor.

Topics covered in this Advanced Study Major include:

• what behaviours to expect from children at different stages and ages

• effective methods for communicating with children

• resolving conflict between parents and children

• helping children to understand and deal with their feelings

• anger management in children

• the role of self, etc.

Workplace Counselling

The Workplace Counselling Advanced Study Major brings the specialised skills of counselling to the workplace. Its focus is upon workplace issues that adversely impact an employee's motivation, productivity and satisfaction with their job. Workplace issues are explored from two perspectives.

1. When life interferes with work such as bereavement, relationship problems, depression, alcohol and drug dependence, and life stage crises, and
2. When work interferes with life such as occupational stress, harassment, workplace violence, job loss, and survivor syndrome.

Topics covered in this Advanced Study Major include:

• the direct connections between job stress, motivation, productivity and job satisfaction

• common causes of stress for employees

• a variety of models used by Workplace Counsellors

• intervention techniques applied by Workplace Counsellors with their clients

• unique ethical and legal challenges in the role of Workplace Counsellor and ways to address these challenges.