Handbook : Course informationEdith Cowan University

Course Information

Graduate Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy

Effective from 01-JAN-2023 : Code J54

The Graduate Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy is both an award in its own right and an exit award within the Masters of Counselling and Psychotherapy. The Diploma is designed for professionals who wish to acquire counselling skills for use in their work as health professionals, social workers, personnel officers, pastors, human service workers, psychologists or counsellors. The course provides training in counselling skills and theory and prepares graduates to develop a counselling role in their workplace. Graduates of this course are eligible to apply for the Masters of Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate currency with the theory of psychoanalytic technique as it pertains to individual counselling, including applied knowledge of the concepts transference and countertransference.
2. Demonstrate advanced foundation knowledge of various psychodynamic and systemic couples and family therapy theoretical frameworks
3. Synthesise key principles and processes identified with of psychoanalytically informed, cross-generational, and emotionally focussed approaches to couple and family therapy practice
4. Review the developmental stages of the human life cycle from object relations and attachment theory perspectives
5. Investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories in counselling and psychotherapy Demonstrate competency in individual psychodynamic counselling
6. Employ principles of systemic theory as a framework for observing and conceptualising different dimensions of family functioning
7. Those that complete the COU6121 elective should be able to: Demonstrate advanced foundation knowledge of various individual psychodynamic counselling and psychotherapy theoretical frameworks
8. Those that complete the COU5210 elective should be able to: Demonstrate an awareness of countertransference including a capacity to employ it meaningfully in a psychotherapeutic context
9. Critique and examine complex clinical material; deduce, distinguish and apply relevant theoretical concepts; formulate, implement and evaluate according to the process and practice of counselling and psychotherapy
10. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of ethical frameworks for counselling

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 6)

• Bachelor degree; or
• Equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience.

English Language requirement (Band 4)

English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
• Bachelor degree from a country specified in the Admissions Policy;
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
• Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
• Other tests, courses or programs as defined in the Admissions Policy.

Course Duration

• Full Time: 1 Year
• Part Time: 2 Years

Course Delivery

• Joondalup: Full Time, Part Time

Non standard timetable requirements

Students may be required to attend occasional weekend or evening classes.

Course Coordinator

Dr Ben MULLINGS

Course Structure