COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Counselling program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of counselling theory, practical skills, and psychological principles across three years of study. In the first year, students focus on foundational knowledge and skills essential for effective counselling practice. Core units include Counselling Skills 1, Ethical Issues in Practice, Case Conceptualisation, and Counselling Theory and Practice, which develop students’ understanding of client engagement, ethical frameworks, and the application of counselling models. Alongside these, students study Psychology Foundations: Self and Situation, Lifespan Psychology, and courses in wellbeing and health science, such as The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar and Understanding Wellbeing and Mental Health, which provide a broader psychological and reflective foundation to support counselling practice. Each unit in the first year carries twelve credit points, emphasizing both theoretical knowledge and practical skill development.The second year builds on these foundations, focusing on more advanced counselling skills and specialised areas of practice. Students progress through Counselling Skills 2 and 3, Group Therapy: Theory and Practice, Addictions Counselling, Counselling Children and Young People, Counselling Families and Couples, and Trauma Informed Practice, enhancing their capability to work with diverse client populations and complex issues. Complementing these, courses in Indigenous World-Views and Foundations of Evidence for Health Science Practitioners provide cultural competency and evidence-based practice skills, essential for modern counselling professionals.In the third year, students consolidate their learning through practical placements and supervision. Counselling Placement and Supervision 1 and 2 span dual terms, offering immersive, hands-on experience under professional guidance. Additional units such as Counselling Families and Couples and Culture and Psychology ensure students graduate with a nuanced understanding of relational dynamics and cultural factors in counselling. The program also includes the option to select elective units from the schedule, allowing students to tailor their learning to specific interests or career goals. Overall, the Bachelor of Counselling program combines theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and reflective practice to prepare students for competent and ethical professional practice in counselling.