This program introduces students to the theoretical foundation and skills for a career in counselling.  The clinical skills pathway has been designed to satisfy the training requirements for practitioners as outlined by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) www.pacfa.org.au

The first year of the program is an integrated series of courses which provides students with a broad knowledge base, professional preparation, and counselling and psychotherapy skills regarding appropriate interventions within a range of settings.

In the second year, those students following the clinical skills pathway will reinforce the learning they undertake in courses on specific counselling modalities by participating in supervised counselling placements in external agencies.  Students following a research pathway will be able to choose some of the courses in specific counselling modalities, as well as studies in research methodology and the completion of a research dissertation.  This research pathway provides an appropriate background for those students wishing to pursue a PhD.

The Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy provide exit points from the degree (six months / twelve months fulltime, respectively) for those whose experience or career goals do not require the full two years of the Masters program.

The program is targeted at three distinct audiences:

·         Graduates seeking a career in Counselling and Psychotherapy

·         Experienced Counsellors seeking to broaden their skills and theoretical understandings and/or to gain a formal qualification

·         Those wishing to undertake research in Counselling and/or Psychotherapy.

The Counselling and Psychotherapy Program offers a unique combination of up-to-date theoretical knowledge and practical skills in counselling and psychotherapy.  Theoretical perspectives are balanced by application of techniques and approaches, so that experiential and integrated learning results. 

The program provides opportunity for reflection to enhance self-awareness as part of students’ professional formation, as counsellors use their personhood to relate to clients and work constructively with them. 

Master in Counselling and Psychotherapy (2 years full time)

The first year of the program consists of coursework in Counselling and Psychotherapy Theories, professional practice (Ethics in the Workplace), developmental aspects of counselling (Attachment Across the Lifespan), an Overview of Mental Health, Grief, Research Skills and Counselling Skills.

Students wishing to the progress to the clinical pathway in their second year will require a satisfactory review/interview by two academics from the Discipline of General Practice.  The clinical skills pathway comprises core courses in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Trauma, Interpersonal Therapy and Narrative Therapy, plus an elective (electives offered may include Hypnosis and Counselling Applications: ACT and Mindfulness).  Two supervised counselling placements of 100 client hours each will be undertaken with an external agency.

The research pathway to the Masters includes coursework comprising research methodology and specific counselling modalities relevant to their research, and a research dissertation (equivalent to six month’s full time study).