Monash University Handbook 2011 Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

Research into the issues commonly raised by clients in a variety of counselling settings has shown that there is a core of problems which frequently occur. These can be divided into several areas; firstly, difficulties arising in relationships, including personal, family, work and community; secondly, conflicts within an individual's personal habits, and thirdly, challenges to do with maturation and ageing. This unit aims to provide students with background information on these issues and effective evidence based methods for dealing with them. This will focus on cognitive and behavioural techniques commonly used to help individuals cope with the stress caused by many of these problems.

Objectives

The objectives of this unit are:

• to introduce students to a core of problems raised by counselling clients;
• to provide information about the social contexts of these problems;
• to provide information about the personality factors within individuals which contribute to these problems;
• to describe the counselling techniques used to help people in these problematic settings; and
• to instruct students in using ancillary techniques which help people cope in general.

Assessment

Two case studies, each covering analysis, discussion of theoretical background to treatment alternatives but majoring on CBT, and then illustrating possible intervention by setting out a CBT based case plan in practical detail (2 x 2800 words each): 70% each
an examination (2400 word equivalent): 30%.

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Brett Furlonger

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

EDF6531 or Corequisite