Course Guide - Edith Cowan University

also considers the philosophy and ethics relevant to the
counselling relationship, the difference between counselling and
psychotherapy, and the relationship between the counsellor and
other professionals.
COU5210
15 Credit Points
Personal Issues in Counselling
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
Prerequisite :
COU5110 Advanced Counselling Skills
This unit considers the processes that are influential in a
counsellor's interaction with clients. It develops awareness of the
interaction between the counsellor's personal issues and the
client's issues, and aims to resolve major personal blocks to the
counselling role. Opportunities will occur for self-exploration and
formulation of personal goals.
COU5303
15 Credit Points
Couples and Family Therapy
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
Prerequisites :
COU5120 Theories of Counselling
COU5102 Developmental and Social Issues in Counselling
COU5210 Personal Issues in Counselling
This unit will provide a framework for observing and
conceptualising different dimensions of family functioning, and a
critical appraisal of the major approaches to couples and family
therapy.
COU5321
15 Credit Points
Clinical Practice 1
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
Prerequisites :
COU5102 Developmental and Social Issues in Counselling
COU5120 Theories of Counselling
COU5210 Personal Issues in Counselling
Within an agency context, this unit aims to develop within the
student roles relating to the assessment of the presenting situation,
choice of appropriate interventions, and evaluation of the outcome
of the session.
COU5326
15 Credit Points
Perspectives in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
Prerequisites :
COU5120 Theories of Counselling
COU5210 Personal Issues in Counselling
This unit familiarises students with the main traditions in
psychodynamic theory. This provides the necessary theoretical
base for studying the theory and practical skills involved in brief
psychodynamic psychotherapy. The main traditions of
psychoanalytic thinking are studied, including the classical
Freudian tradition and later developments such as ego
psychology, object relations theory, the interpersonal tradition and
self psychology.
COU6228
20 Credit Points
Counselling Research Project
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
Prerequisite :
COU6427 Counselling Research: Project Preparation
In this unit students will engage in the tasks of data collection and
analysis for their research project for the MSocSc (Counselling).
COU6229
15 Credit Points
Counselling Research Project Report
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
Prerequisite :
COU6228 Counselling Research Project
In this unit students will complete the task of data analysis, and
write the final report for their research project for the MSocSc
(Counselling).
COU6322
15 Credit Points
Group Dynamics: Theory and Skills
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
Prerequisite :
COU5210 Personal Issues in Counselling
Students will be presented with the theory and practice of
groupwork. Theoretical perspectives on the structure, processes
and dynamics of counselling groups and counselling education
groups will be provided and evaluated. Skills of group facilitation
will be developed.
COU6402
15 Credit Points
Couples and Family Therapy: Theories and Interventions
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
Prerequisite :
COU5303 Couples and Family Therapy
The first part of this unit will provide a critical analysis of a range
of interventions commonly used in couples and family therapy,
together with the development of skills in using these
interventions. In the second part of the unit, the focus will be on
the rationale for using particular interventive strategies with a
number of problems commonly presenting for marital or family
therapy.
COU6410
15 Credit Points
Research and Evaluation Methods in Counselling
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
This unit aims to enable students to make critical use of research
and evaluation studies in the field of counselling to inform and
develop their practice. The emphasis is on producing discerning
consumers of research rather than preparing students to be
researchers. Students will consider the roles and limitations of
quantitative and qualitative methodologies in counselling
research, and will critically evaluate a number of research reports.
COU6423
15 Credit Points
Clinical Practice 2
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
Prerequisite :
COU5321 Clinical Practice 1
With an agency context, this unit aims to develop within the
student roles relating to the assessment of the presenting situation,
choice of appropriate interventions, and evaluation of the outcome
of the session. There will be an emphasis on the application of
recent theoretical developments in therapeutic work.
COU6424
15 Credit Points
Field Placement 1
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
This unit provides an opportunity for the student to receive
supervised practice in an agency setting. Students will spend one
day per week in an agency setting and will carry a client load
allocated by the agency. This unit aims to develop the full identity
and competence of the counsellor and will include conducting
counselling sessions, participating in a team, receiving
supervision for work and participation in following agency policy
and procedures.
COU6425
15 Credit Points
Field Placement 2
FACULTY OF EDUCATION & ARTS
Prerequisite :
COU6424 Field Placement 1
This unit provides an opportunity for the student to receive
supervised practice in an agency setting. Students will spend one
day per week in an agency setting and will carry a client load
allocated by the agency. This unit aims to provide the opportunity
to refine and extend theoretical and clinical understanding as well
as more complex intervention skills.
204 ECU Postgraduate Course Guide 2007