GEN PRAC 7020B - Counselling Placement IB

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015

Placement IB provides Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy students with supervised practical experience in counselling and psychotherapy. Through placement with an approved service provider and supervision with a qualified practitioner, students will increase their knowledge of, and practise, counselling and psychotherapeutic skills with clients, as well as gain experience in writing case notes and reports in this setting. They will also develop experience in collaboration with other health professionals and families of clients, and referral to appropriate other health professionals as practiced in their specific setting. Finally, students will complete two essay assignments: a critical reflection on their emerging personal philosophy of counselling practice, and a research-based project specific to the counselling setting.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code GEN PRAC 7020B
    Course Counselling Placement IB
    Coordinating Unit General Practice
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 3 days per week, plus 2 hrs per fortnight
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange
    Prerequisites GEN PRAC 7020A
    Restrictions Available to M. Counselling & Psychotherapy students only
    Course Description Placement IB provides Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy students with supervised practical experience in counselling and psychotherapy. Through placement with an approved service provider and supervision with a qualified practitioner, students will increase their knowledge of, and practise, counselling and psychotherapeutic skills with clients, as well as gain experience in writing case notes and reports in this setting. They will also develop experience in collaboration with other health professionals and families of clients, and referral to appropriate other health professionals as practiced in their specific setting. Finally, students will complete two essay assignments: a critical reflection on their emerging personal philosophy of counselling practice, and a research-based project specific to the counselling setting.
    Course Staff
    Course Coordinator: Helen Wilson
    Phone: +61 8313 0148
    Email: helen.m.wilson@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: Level 11, 178 North Terrace

    Course Coordinator: Shannon Asa
    Phone: +61 8313 0148
    Email: shannon.asa@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: Level 11, 178 North Terrace

    Learning & Teaching Team
    Phone: +61 8313 0148
    Email: postgrad_enq@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: Level 7, 178 North Terrace
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Demonstrate appropriate skills to support positive client outcomes in the counselling setting
    2 Employ and justify appropriate counselling techniques for responding to a range of client issues in the counselling setting
    3 Communicate effectively and professionally with clients and other health professionals in the counselling setting
    4 Demonstrate evidence-based practice within the counselling setting
    5 Review and critique their own professional practice within a counselling setting
    6 Articulate an emerging professional identity as a counsellor.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1-6
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 2, 4-6
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1-6
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 2-6
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 2-5
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1-6
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 1-6
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1-6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Relevant texts or articles will be made available via MyUni in response to issues arising during group supervision.

    Recommended Resources
    N/A
    Online Learning
    MyUni

    All students enrolled in a postgraduate coursework program have access to a Postgraduate Coursework Student Centre on MyUni. This course is available on MyUni at www.adelaide.edu.au/myuni/.
     
    Students are advised to check the website regularly as it may contain announcements that are relevant to study in the course.   Students wanting the opportunity to network with other students can use the Communication features in the site:

    • Discussion Board – Users can post discussion items and reply to other posts. Note: To have a specific Discussion Board Forum created, please send request to jacqui.howard@adelaide.edu.au  

    • Send Email – This feature enables users to send email to fellow students.

    • Group Pages – Groups enable Users to collaborate with each other. Groups usually consist of a smaller group of Users in a course or organisation, such as study groups or project groups. From a Group Page, users may send email, exchange files, enter  discussion forums or enter collaboration sessions.

    Note:Only members of a particular Group can access the Group communication features (discussion forums, email, etc.). To have a specific Group Page created, please send request to jacqui.howard@adelaide.edu.au . For example, Group Pages can be created to include students living in the same geographical area or students working for the same organisation.

    Students also have access to individual MyUni sites for EACH course in which they are enrolled. Students are advised to check the sites regularly as they may contain important announcements that are relevant to study in the course.

    Access Adelaide

    Access Adelaide is the name of the online service that allows students to access and, in some cases, amend their records. It can be  found at: https://access.adelaide.edu.au/sa/login.asp.

    Students can log into Access Adelaide to view:

    • their enrolment details for any term

    • their academic results

    • their unofficial academic transcript

    • their personal details

    • the fees, charges and payments on their Universityaccount

    • their exam schedule

    • their graduation eligibility details.

    As a student you can:

    • change their address and telephone details (please inform the Discipline as well)

    • change their password

    • set a password clue to help them remember their password.

    Student email

    It is important to set up a student email and check it regularly. Information from the course coordinator and student administration will be sent to the University of Adelaide email address. It is the student’s responsibility to check their email. They will need their student number located on the student card to log in. http://webmail.adelaide.edu.au/

    Computers

    Computing facilities are provided to students by the University, and there are several suites of computers available, including at the Barr Smith Library and in Hub Central. The University web site has a list of computer labs at:http://www.adelaide.edu.au /its/student_support/labs/   

    Internet access

    The University provides a free dial-up service to students without the need for a commercial ISP account. This service is available at the cost of a local call to students residing within Adelaide (please refer to telecommunications providers for confirmation of call costs). Students residing outside these numbers can dial into the University at STD call rates (www.adelaide.edu.au/its/desktop /dialup/ ).

    Postgraduate Coursework students will receive a University Funded Quota of 500Mb.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    During Placement 1B, students will undertake a placement of 13-15 weeks (as negotiated with their Placement Agency) in a  relevant clinical setting in which they will develop their own client load (which may comprise individual clients, couples, families and group work).  Precise arrangements will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis dependent on placement requirements, and documented in a Learning Agreement, but this will normally require on-site presence of 2-3 days per week.

    Placement activities will continue during the mid-semester break, unless negotiated otherwise with the placement site.  On-site placement activities may be undertaken over an extended semester (e.g. from week 5 for Semester 1, or week 26 for Semester 2) where this better suits the requirements of specific placement sites and/or students.

    Throughout and as part of each placement, students will receive a minimum of 4 hours of supervision with an on-site supervisor, who will provide feedback and guidance with regard to the student’s placement activities. The associated tasks undertaken as part of the placement include induction, research needed for client work, documentation of counselling activities required, liaison with
    relevant other staff on-site and off-site as needed, and other workplace activities negotiated within their Learning Agreement. Students will also complete and submit a daily log of activities, and an evaluation of their placement venue at the end of their placement.

    Additionally, students will attend Placement Induction/Re-orientation (7 hours), plus regularly scheduled group supervision sessions with clinical and teaching staff and other Counselling and Psychotherapy Masters students. During these sessions, students will present and discuss clinical cases, and enhance skills development through experiential and problem-based learning.  Materials covered can include the following: initiating, developing and sustaining professional, positive, and productive  relationships with clients; application of assessment and intervention techniques; monitoring client progress; discussion of new skills and their application; review and reflection of on-line materials (e.g. recorded clinical sessions); presentation of new skills; identification and discussion of problems and challenges with clients and ways to overcome these; discussion and presentation of clinical cases, and benefits of peer review and supervision. Satisfactory participation in and contribution to group supervision is required to pass the  course.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Up to 3 days per week, plus 2 hrs per fortnight
    Learning Activities Summary
    Week Topic Lecture
    Week 1 Induction/Re-orientation Administrative and clinical reviews; personal and professional readiness for practice
    Week 2 Group Supervision Clinical supervision
    Week 3 Site specific supervision Clinical supervision
    Week 4 Group supervision Clinical supervision
    Week 5 Site specific supervision Clinical supervision
    Week 6 Group supervision Clinical supervision
    Week 7 Group supervision Clinical supervision
    Week 8 Group supervision Clinical supervision
    Week 9 Site specific supervision Clinical supervision
    Week 10 Group supervision Clinical supervision
    Week 11 Group supervision Clinical supervision
    Week 12 Group supervision Clinical supervision
    Week 13 Site specific supervision Clinical supervision
    Week 14 Required supervision (as needed) Clinical supervision
    Week 15 Required supervision (as needed) Clinical supervision
    Specific Course Requirements
    All students must provide a current Police Check and Child Safe Environment Training Certificate.  Students working with children  and/or the elderly may be required to undertake further screening (e.g. Department for Communities and Social Inclusion Screening  and Background Check. See http://health.adelaide.edu.au/current-students/clinical-placements/ for further information).  Some  specific placement agencies may further require and/or provide additional training specific to working with their clientele. Students will be advised of any such requirements when provided with placement information.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    N/A
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Learning Outcome
    Satisfactory placement completion (assessed by supervisor through   supervision, review of learning  agreement, log-book of activities, and  final review) Summative 20% 1-5
    Client Placement Review Summative 20% 1-5
    Essay 1 Summative 20% 2,4
    Essay 2 Summative 40% 1-5
    Assessment Related Requirements
    N/A
    Assessment Detail
    (a) Satisfactory completion of placement (assessed by on-site supervisor through supervision, review of Learning Agreement,  log-book of activities): 20%;

    (b) Satisfactory completion of Client Placement Review including presentation of reflections on counselling practice in a small group  setting (with client case reviews): 20%

    (c) Essay: Critical reflection on personal/professional growth as a counsellor and articulation of a personal philosophy of counselling  (1200-1500 words): 20%.

    (d) Essay (40%): A research project established in collaboration with a placement agency (or any other project/essay as approved by  the Course Coordinator in consultation with the clinical and teaching team) (2500-3000 words): 40%
    Submission
    Submission of Assignments

    Assignments should be submitted through the “Assignments” section of MyUni.  Instructions on how to submit an assignment in  this way can be found at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/myuni/tutorials/  

    Assignments must be submitted by 11.59 pm on the day that they are due. (note that MyUni will accept assignment after this time but it will be marked Late.

    All assignments must include a coversheet (template provided via MyUni), and, where reporting details of work with clients, must  appropriately de-identify the case. A signed consent form from the client should be separately lodged with the Course  Administrator to maintain confidentiality regarding the case (template provided via MyUni). Where assignments involve recorded  sessions, a copy of recorded material (e.g. of counselling practice) should handed to the Course Administrator, not sent via email to  the course coordinator (as this compromises confidentiality requirements).

    Feedback on assignments will be provided to students within 4 weeks of completion of the task so that students can take  advantage of this feedback. 

    Students are advised to keep a copy of all submitted material.

    Word Limit

    Students are advised to comply with word limits, and declare their word count. A 10% leeway on either side is acceptable.  However, a penalty of 5% of available marks will apply for word limit in excess of the 10% leeway. Failure to declare accurate word count will result in a fail mark.

     Presentation

    It is essential that students reference all written work accurately and consistently. We ask that students use the American  Psychological Society Referencing Format (APA 6), and a guide to this system will be provided through MyUni. Be aware that marks  will be deducted for incorrect referencing in all assignments.

    EndNote bibliographic software is a very useful tool for managing your references and it is provided free of charge through the  university. Information about EndNote can be found at:http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/guide/gen/bibsoft/

    Extension of Time for Assessment

    Up to one week

    It is expected that all assessments will be submitted by the specified time on the specified due date.

    However, students may apply for an extension of time to submit an assessment, if they are experiencing difficulty. Applications for  extension must be made to the Course Coordinator and copied into the Program Administrator in writing (e.g. email) prior to the  due date lodgement of the assignment. Anticipate that it may take a few days to receive a reply.

    The grounds for granting an extension include health problems, compassionate reasons and other extenuating circumstances. Extensions will usually only be granted for a maximum of one week, but can be longer at the discretion of the Chairperson of the Academic Progress Committee if substantiated with evidence such as a medical certificate. Only original documents or certified  copies of originals will be accepted.

    Students will be notified via their University of Adelaide student email account of the outcome of their application. If the extension  is granted then it is the student’s responsibility to keep in contact with the course coordinator and to hand in the assessment with a copy of the email (or other document) approving the extension.

    Failure to submit an assessment item on time without an approved extension will incur a penalty as detailed under ‘Late Submission of Work’.

    Longer than one week

    If an extension is required for longer than one week, please contact the Course Co-ordinator to discuss your request. Please copy any requests to the Program Administrator. If an extension for longer than a week is required due to illness, a medical certificate will be required.

    Failure to submit an assessment item on time without an approved extension will incur a penalty as detailed under ‘Late Submission of Work’.

    Late Submission of Work

    All assignments should be submitted by 11.59pm on the due date.

    Late submission without an approved extension will be penalised at the rate of 10% of available marks for each day after the due  date. Work submitted more than ten days after the due date may be returned unmarked. This action is taken to prevent students  who do get their work in on time being disadvantaged.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    GS8 (Coursework Grade Scheme)
    Grade Description
    CN Continuing
    FNS Fail No Submission
    NFE No Formal Examination
    F Fail
    NGP Non Graded Pass
    P Pass
    C Credit
    D Distinction
    HD High Distinction
    RP Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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