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University of Aberdeen

School of Education

Counselling Skills Programme Prospectus 2017-18

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Table of Contents

Welcome Page 3

Programme Structure Page 4

Structure of the Counselling Skills Programme 2017-2018

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Individual Course Outlines Pages 7-11

Reading List Page 12

Language Requirements Page 13

Computing Requirements Page 13

Entry and Attendances Requirements Page 13

Attendance Requirements Page 13

Students with Disabilities Page 13

Fees Page 14

Help with Fees Page 14

Exemptions Page 15

How to Apply Page 15

Diagnostic Test – Appendix 1 Pages 16-17

SD Card Participation Agreement Pages 17-18

CONTACT DETAILS

Programme Director: Dr Salma Siddique (s.siddique@abdn.ac.uk)

Enquiries: Counselling Skills Administrator (Joyce Michie) Email: counsellingskills@abdn.ac.uk Tel: 01224 274830

Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am – 2.30pm

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WELCOME TO THE COUNSELLING SKILLS PROGRAMME The overarching philosophy for the counselling skills courses is to explore how counselling relates to mental health and wellbeing.

Students will be offered training to develop their self-awareness, reflective, and active listening skills. The range of transferrable skills learned on this course are highly prized by employers and postgraduate professional courses.

Students will be able to transfer study from a wide range of professional qualifications when joining these courses or registering for a postgraduate professional qualification. The Programme has been designed for those who wish to know more about counselling skills and a ‘counselling approach’, either for use in their workplace or for their own personal development. It is an excellent starting point to train as a counsellor or psychotherapist. A number of our previous students have embedded the counselling skills of reflection, effective listening skills and therapeutic writing, developed on our Programmes, into a range of work contexts such as

• nursing, teaching and social work • human resources • psychology • interdisciplinary research • expressive arts • creative industries and business

Counselling Skills:

• are essentially good interpersonal or communication skills • are based on active listening • involve using verbal and non-verbal skills e.g. paraphrasing, asking questions in a helpful way,

summarising, attending and responding to the speaker • insert the qualities of acceptance, genuineness and empathy into a helping relationship • are underpinned and informed by an understanding of counselling theory

The School of Education offers the following qualifications:

The Counselling Skills Certificate (COSCA validated) One Year Variant Counselling Certificate Course (COSCA validated):

This can be taken over 2 academic years or 4 semesters or over 1 academic Year January to December. Students must complete Counselling Skills 1-4 (or equivalent) within a 3 year period. If applying to do Counselling Skills 4 after 3 years students are required to submit written evidence of continued skills practice for consideration. The written summary must demonstrate continued counselling skills practice during the extended period; how and where this has taken place; evidence that the student is in touch with the relevant underlying thinking and ethical framework around counselling skills.

The Certificate:

• provides a certificated 120 hour training programme in counselling skills which is Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA) validated

• is delivered by the University of Aberdeen, over 4 modules; each module provides 15 credits at degree level; 30 hours of teaching covering four strands: skills, knowledge, self- awareness and ethics

• uses experiential learning e.g. students’ practice skills in groups of three • is mainly designed for people in helping or caring professions • helps the individuals who complete it to develop and apply counselling skills to non- counselling

settings • provides an excellent starting point for those who wish to train as a counsellor or psychotherapist

The Certificate in Counselling Skills Theory:

• a University of Aberdeen Certificate awarded for 120 Counselling Skills credits, 30 at level 1 and 90 at level 2 or 3

• an opportunity for more deeply theoretical and reflective study

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Counselling Supervision Course: (COSCA Validated): The course is aimed at counselling practitioners or counselling skills users with no less than the successful completion of the COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate as their training. It is designed to stimulate the less experienced practitioner into a better understanding and use of supervision, as well as to provide a significant first step for the longer training and more experienced practitioner in their role as supervisors.

Further Steps in Counselling Skills :( COSCA Validated): course not running 2017-2018 (This course, is delivered across two modules)

• will further develop the counselling skills of participants who have completed the COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate Course (or equivalent)

• provide opportunities for participants to reconnect with their previous learning and experience • will help participants to up-date their practice and understanding of counselling skills • will assist participants to further deepen and develop their knowledge and use of counselling skills.

Other modules which are offered are listed below. These modules will only run if there is sufficient interest from students. The School will not run a class with less than 14 students.

Level 2 courses (15 credits):

• An Introduction to Transactional Analysis • Transactional Analysis Skills Development • Introduction to the Psychodynamic Approach to Counselling • Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Mindfulness • Introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Counselling • Person-Centred Approach to Helping Relationships – Course not running 2017-2018

Further details of all the courses offered can be found in the Undergraduate Catalogue at https://www.abdn.ac.uk/registry/courses/undergraduate. Students can take individual modules, for interest, or development, but should be aware that the courses may be challenging for those who have faced a serious emotional issue in the last 6 months, or are currently receiving counselling. Students wishing advice or guidance before applying should e-mail counsellingskills@abdn.ac.uk.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE The Counselling Skills Certificate (COSCA validated) Counselling Skills 1 and 2: Level 1 Courses (SCQF level 7) Counselling Skills 3 and 4: Level 2 Courses: (SCQF level 8). (All 15 credit points):

The Counselling Skills Certificate (COSCA validated) consists of 120 hours of training divided into four courses of 30 hours each. The material in each course has been structured in units, each 3 hours in length. Classes are usually held on one morning, afternoon or evening per week for 10 weeks. However, some courses are run on Saturdays for 6 weeks, to cater for those who find this more convenient. The programme is progressive and students must take the courses in order, i.e. Counselling Skills 1 to Counselling Skills 4. In order to progress from Counselling Skills 2 to Counselling Skills 3, you must achieve a minimum CGS mark of C3 (CAS mark 12) for Counselling Skills 2. The programme usually takes two years to complete as part of the University curriculum. In the first year of study you can only take Counselling Skills 1(CO1001) and Counselling Skills 2 (CO1501).

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STRUCTURE OF THE COUNSELLING SKILLS PROGRAMME 2017-18 The University of Aberdeen operates a semester system, structuring the academic year as two half sessions. Arrangements for teaching Counselling Skills are:

First Half Session: Semester commences: Classes commence: Monday 11 September 2017 Classes end Saturday 25 November 2016

Second Half Session Semester commences: Classes commence: Monday 15 January 2018 Classes end: Saturday 31 March 2018 Easter Vacation: Monday 2 April – 20 April 2018

The Certificate in Counselling Skills Theory (120 credits)

The Certificate in Counselling Skills Theory is a University certificate course which provides courses at second and third level which complement the COSCA validated courses. This is an opportunity for more deeply theoretical and reflective study of specific aspects of counselling, including an opportunity for supervised and supported dissertation work. Students who have previously completed or are currently enrolled for Counselling Skills classes will be able to attribute their credits to this Certificate. Second Level Courses (SCQF level 8 – all 15 credits) Please check individual course prerequisites. These courses are not offered in every academic year. Please see course schedule for 2017/2018

Semester One Level 2 Courses: CO2001 An Introduction to Transactional Analysis CO2002 An Introduction to the Psychodynamic Approach to Counselling CO2003 A Person Centred Approach to Helping Relationships – course not running 2017-2018 CO2004 Further Steps in Counselling 1 – course not running 2017-2018 CO2005 An Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Mindfulness CO2006 An Introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Counselling

Semester Two Level 2 Courses: CO2501 An Introduction to the Psychodynamic Approach to Counselling CO2502 A Person Centred Approach to Helping Relationships - course not running 2017-2018 CO2503 Transactional Analysis Skills Development CO2504 Further Steps in Counselling 2 - course not running 2017-2018 CO2505 An Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Mindfulness CO2506 An Introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Counselling

Level 3 Courses (SCQF level 9 – 30 credits): Please see individual course prerequisites

Semester Two Level 3 Courses CO3001 Person Centred Counselling Supervision CO3002 Counselling Skills Dissertation with Group Instruction

Semester Two Level 3 Courses CO3501 Person Centred Counselling Supervision CO3502 Counselling Skills Dissertation with Group Instruction

University Regulations restrict the number of credits that part-time students can study to a maximum of 75 in one academic year with a maximum of 45 in any half session.

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COURSES AVAILABLE 2017-2018 There is a mandatory requirement for students to complete the Counselling Skills Diagnostic Test http://www.abdn.ac.uk/infohub/study/diagnostic-tests-1067.php prior to registering for Counselling Skills 1 (See Appendix 1). This comprises a series of statements to which prospective students must agree to before signing up.

A list of the proposed classes for 2017-18 is provided below. Please note that this may be subject to change depending on student numbers. If for any reason a class does not run students may be offered an alternative. Student must select a class when completing MyCurriculum as part of the registration process. Each class has a limit of 14 places and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Further details of the registration process will be sent to students as part of the offer letter... Please also note that there is a reading week from Monday 16th October to Friday 20th October 2017(1st term) and Monday 19th February to Friday 23rd February (2nd term) for Counselling course classes only. First Level Courses

Counselling Skills 1 (CO1001) – (First Half Session: September – November 2017) Counselling Skills 1 Year Variant (CO1519) (First Half Session January to March 2018) Counselling Skills 1 Year Variant (CO1518) (First Half Session March to May 2018) Counselling Skills 2 (CO1501) – (Second Half Session: January – March 2018)

Second Level Courses Counselling Skills 3 (CO2007) – (First Half Session: September – November 2017) Counselling Skills 4 (CO2507) – (Second Half Session: January – March 2018) Counselling Skills 1 Year Variant (CO2018) (Second Half Session 22 August to 9 October 2018) Counselling Skills 1 Year Variant (CO2019) (Second Half Session – 23 October to 11 December 2018) NOTE: 1 Year Variant Counselling Classes will be held on Tuesdays from 10.00a.m. - 2.00p.m. All Counselling Skills 1 - 4 classes have classes available on mornings, afternoons and evenings Monday to Thursday there is also a Saturday class for prospective students who cannot manage to attend during the week.

First Half Session classes: September – November 2017

An Introduction to Transactional Analysis CO2001

Monday evenings from 6-9p.m. 11th September to 27th November 2017

CO2002 An Introduction to the Psychodynamic Approach to Counselling Tuesday evenings from 6-9p.m. – 12th September to 28th November 2017 CO2003 A Person Centred Approach to Helping Relationships – course not running 2017-2018 CO2004 Further Steps in Counselling 1 – course not running 2017-2018 CO2005 An Introduction to the Theory and Practice Mindfulness Monday afternoon from 2.00-5.00 p.m. – 11th September to 27th November 2017

CO2006 An Introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Counselling Friday morning from 9.00 – 12 noon – 15th September to 1st December 2017

Second Half Session: January – March 2018

CO2501 An Introduction to the Psychodynamic Approach to Counselling Tuesdays evenings 6-9p.m. 16th January to 27th March 2018 CO2502 A Person Centred Approach to Helping Relationships – Course not running 2017-2018

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CO2503 Transactional Analysis Skills Development: Monday evenings from 6-9p.m. 15th January to 26th March 2018 CO2504 Further Steps in Counselling 2 – Course not running 2017-2018 CO2505 An Introduction to the Theory and Practice Mindfulness Monday evenings 2-5p.m. 15th January to 26th March 2018 CO2506 An Introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Counselling Friday mornings 9.00 – 12 noon Friday 19th January to 30th March 2018

Third Level Courses –October 2017 – May 2018

CO3001/CO3501 (First and Second Half Session October to May) Person Centred Counselling Supervision CO3002/CO3502 (First and Second Half Session September – April) Counselling Skills Dissertation with Group Instruction Individual Course Outline

CO1001/CO1519 – Counselling Skills 1 and 1 Year Variant Counselling Course This practical experiential course develops self-awareness and Advanced Communication Skills. Counselling Skills 1-4 make up the Counselling Skills Certificate (COSCA validated) the first step in becoming a Counsellor or Psychotherapist. This professional qualification is a usual prerequisite for Post graduate study in Counselling and Counselling Psychology in Scotland and is a valuable addition to any CV. Students must be prepared to fully participate in all aspects of the course including mock counselling sessions to achieve a pass mark.

Course Description: The theme of Counselling Skills 1 is Beginnings: Advanced Communication Skills: it introduces the participants to the concepts and skills involved in a counselling approach. All Counselling Skills courses contain the following strands: skills, knowledge, self-awareness and ethics. These are interwoven throughout the exercises. The course begins with establishing a working agreement and defining a counselling approach. It introduces participants to the practice of attending and responding. It also provides a means of increasing participants’ self-awareness. Participants are introduced to the essential qualities of acceptance, genuineness and empathy and trained to practice these qualities. Participants engage in informed discussions on the importance of ethics, in particular confidentiality. The course concludes with an assessment of participants’ integrated practice of the above counselling skills.

Assessment: Continuous assessment: weekly learning log, 300-500 words (25%), oral participation (25%), oral practice (25%) and a 2500 word essay (25%). Students must achieve a pass in all elements. Credits: This course carries 15 credit points at level

Prerequisites: None

CO1501/CO1518 – Counselling Skills 2 and 1 Year Variant Counselling Course

The theme of this module is Exploration and Expansion. You will continue to develop the practical skills introduced in Counselling Skills 1 in this practical experiential course. You will understand the structure of a Counselling Relationship within professional ethics and boundaries. You will explore your self-awareness and self-in-context in relation to transitions, attachment, and loss and re adjustment and with regard to your attitudes to difference, your values, prejudice, social identity and the ethic of justice.

Course Description: This course aims to review and consolidate areas covered in Counselling Skills 1 and to consider theory in greater depth. The course will provide further opportunities to practice counselling skills, focusing on communicating the core conditions of accurate empathy, congruence and acceptance as well as beginning to look at structuring the counselling context. You will focus on theory, skills practice, professional development, personal development and self-assessment. You will examine the humanist, cognitive, behavioural and analytical theories. The ‘beginning,’ ‘middle,’ and ‘end’ stages in the helping process will be understood. Professional development will entail discussion of values, specifically those connected with race,

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culture, gender and sexual orientation. The way in which client issues impinge on the helper will be investigated in personal development work.

Assessment: Continuous assessment: weekly learning log, 300-500 words (25%), oral participation (25%), oral practice (25%) and a 2500 word essay (25%). Students must achieve a pass in all elements.

Credits: This course carries 15 credit points at level 1

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Counselling Skills 1 CO2007/CO2018– Counselling Skills 3 and 1 Year Variant Counselling Course This Course assumes a developing professional expertise of participants who will have successfully completed Counselling Skills 1 and 2 at the required level.

The focus of this module is to develop your ability to become a reflective practitioner. At this level you will be expected to be able to analyse and comment on your practice in counselling skills interactions with reference to theory and providing evidence of your communication of the core conditions and your use of skills.

You will continue to develop your self- awareness and skills in this practical experiential course.

Course Description: The themes of Counselling Skills 3 are Review & Reflection. These themes are developed through the inclusion of information about different theoretical perspectives in the counselling/psychotherapy field. The process of increasing and integrating counselling skills and self- awareness is further developed in this course by the contributions from the different theoretical perspectives.

The course starts with a review of Counselling Skills 1 and 2 and expectations of Counselling Skills 3. It then gives an overview of the theoretical perspectives in the counselling field before covering the humanistic/existential, psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural perspectives. It also discusses the significance of past experience, genograms, and, under ethics, the ethos of care and power. Spirituality is raised as a means of self-understanding and that of others

To encourage further reflection students participate in video recorded triad sessions which form the basis of the “transcription” essay. Thus students examine their ability of to use counselling skills effectively and link with theory.

Assessment: Continuous assessment: weekly learning log, 300-500 words (25%), oral participation (25%), oral practice (25%) and a 2000 word essay (25%). Students must achieve a pass in all elements

Credits: This course carries 15 credit points at level 2

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Counselling Skills 1 (or exemption) and Counselling Skills 2, achieving a minimum CGS mark of C1 (CAS mark14)

CO2507 and CO2019 Counselling Skills 4 This is the final module of The Counselling Skills Certificate (COSCA validated).This professional qualification is a valuable asset to any CV and may be a prerequisite if you intend post graduate study of Counselling or Counselling Psychology. You will review and consolidate areas covered in Counselling Skills 1, 2 and 3 with focus on issues that clients bring to counselling.

Course Description: The theme of Counselling Skills 4 is Integration. The theme of Integration is put together in this course with information about different theoretical perspectives in the counselling/psychotherapy field. The process of increasing and integrating counselling skills and self- awareness is further developed by the contributions from the different theoretical perspectives.

The Module begins with a review of Counselling Skills 3 and discusses expectations of Counselling Skills 4. It presents the Gestalt and Transactional Analysis counselling perspectives. There are 2 units on ethics, one of which again looks at boundaries and the other looks at listeners’ responsibilities in the context of the counselling approach. Awareness is raised about issues related to social inclusion in the use of the counselling approach.

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The course also raises the issue of stress for users of the counselling approach and for those with whom they work. As Counselling Skills 4 and the Certificate course draws to a close participants will be expected to undertake a complete session from beginning to end, integrating the core conditions and using counselling skills. Professional development issues such as referral, supervision and accreditation will also be introduced.

Assessment: Continuous assessment: weekly learning log, 300-500 words (25%), oral participation (25%), oral practice (25%) and a 3500 word essay (25%). Students must achieve a pass in all elements

Credits: This course carries 15 credit points at level 2

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Counselling Skills 1 to Counselling Skills 3 CO2001 – An Introduction to Transactional Analysis (September-November 2017) Transactional analysis (TA) is a model for understanding human personality, relationships and communication. This course builds on previous Counselling skills training and/or practical experience .This course will offer participants the opportunity to become more familiar with ideas and concepts that form the basis of an approach which is readily applicable to many different settings and which may provide a useful complement to existing listening skills. Course Description: Participants will be introduced to concepts such as ego states, transactions, psychological games and script and will be able to consider often perplexing aspects of experience from a new and different perspective. Transactional analysis provides an integrated model of counselling skills and the course will therefore build on previous training and/or practical experience. The course will be a mixture of presentation, discussion and guided exploration and participants will be expected to be willing and able to share and learn from their own experience. Assessment: Continuous Assessment: 10 x weekly Learning Logs minimum 350 words per entry. A case study (about 3500 words +/- 10%) on how you have applied the key concepts of the course in a personal, learning or a work situation. Credits: This course carries 15 credit points at level 2. Prerequisites: Successful completion of Counselling Skills 1 & 2 (or equivalent), though you are encouraged to have completed the full COSCA Certificate

CO2503 - Transactional Analysis Skills Development (January – March 2018) Transactional analysis (TA) is a model for understanding human personality, relationships and communication. This course builds on previous Counselling skills training and/or practical experience. This course will offer participants the opportunity to become more familiar with ideas and concepts that form the basis of an approach which is readily applicable to many different settings and which may provide a useful complement to existing listening skills.

Course Description: Students will have a thorough overview of TA concepts relating to the ways in which individuals (adults and children) develop and change. Students will develop the ability to clearly describe the range of TA concepts that illuminate the processes of individual development including, structural analysis of ego states, script matrix and related concepts, including life positions, attributions, injunctions, counter script and drivers, cycles of development, internal processes including discounting and the racket system and autonomy as the goal of TA application.

They will learn to apply TA concepts to identify developmental needs of clients and present interventions accordingly in activities such as counselling and teaching. Students will be able to work with clients to bring about personal and professional change and growth.

Assessment: Continuous assessment: 10 x weekly Learning Logs minimum 350 words per entry - 50% of the final module mark. Completion of the EATA/ITAA (professional body) Standard 10 question 'TA101 Written Exam' - 50% of the final module mark.

Credits: This course carries 15 credits at level 2.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of An Introduction to Transactional Analysis.

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CO2003– A Person Centred Approach to Helping Relationships: A Counselling Skills Based Course (September- November) – Course not running 2017-2018 Course Description: The aim of this course is to provide an opportunity to develop and apply person centred counselling and interpersonal skills to non-counselling settings; it can also be a step towards Diploma training and a career in counselling. Its purpose is to enhance participants’ personal and professional interaction with others and to develop the capacity to assess their own skills and abilities. The course provides the opportunity for people from a wide range of backgrounds to learn experientially through working together in a group setting.

• An overview of the key concepts of the Person-Centred approach: therapist attitudes, the

therapeutic conditions, theory of self. • Rogers Personality Theory: self-awareness and developing more effective personal and social

relationships. • The need for the Person-Centred core conditions as the basis of the helping relationship:

empathy, unconditional positive regard and congruence. What difference do these qualities make and how can they be developed?

• Encounter: experiencing and reflecting on the process of awareness of self and others in the group setting.

• Transition theory: a historical overview. Change and self-acceptance. How can we relate the theory to personal life experience?

• Ethical considerations: relating difficult moral questions that arise for the practitioner of counselling skills/helper to an ethical framework.

• Different dimensions within a Person-Centred approach: working at relational depth, focusing on the spiritual dimension. How these may be relevant to individual working contexts.

Assessment: Continuous assessment: weekly learning log, 200 words (25%), oral participation (25%), oral practice (25%) and a 3000 word essay (25%). All elements must be passed.

Participants: This course is of interest to people from a range of professions and interests including those working in: voluntary agencies, health care professions, human resources, teaching and those considering further person centred counselling training at diploma level.

Credits: This course carries 15 credits at level 2.

Prerequisites: A pass in Counselling Skills 2 CO1501 or professional experience in helping relationships.

CO2002/CO2501 An Introduction to the Psychodynamic Approach to Counselling Skills The course offers the theory and practice of using the psychodynamic conceptual model in counselling skills. CO2005/CO2505 An Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Mindfulness A type of meditative practice, in which you develop ways of being more in the present moment, developing an inner resource to deal with stressful situations, difficult emotions, thoughts and, sometimes, physical feelings. CO2006/CO2506 - An Introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (September to November or January to March 2018) Course Description: In cognitive behavioural counselling the counsellor works with the client to identify the thoughts arising from their interpretation of life experiences which lead to changes in mood and behaviour. He/she then facilitates the development of the necessary skills and strategies to find more adaptive thinking or behaviours. This course will work with strategies for stress management that can be applied to other client issues.

The course will introduce:

• The basic principles of cognitive behavioural counselling • The stages of the process of cognitive behavioural counselling • The collaborative working relationship • The structure and content of cognitive behavioural counselling sessions • The identification of key thoughts and beliefs • Identification of short and long semester goals and tasks • Coaching tasks and steps for self-counselling

Assessment: Essay 3500 words (25%), weekly learning logs 250 words (25%), oral practice (25%)

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Prerequisites: Counselling Skills 2 or equivalent, or a background in a relevant healthcare profession.

Credits: 15 Credits at level 2

This course may be challenging for those who have faced a serious emotional issue in the last 6 months or are currently receiving counselling. Please consider this carefully before applying.

CO3001/CO3501 - Person Centred Counselling Supervision (COSCA Validated) (October - May)

Course Description: This is a course leading to the professional qualification of Person Centred Counselling Supervision (COSCA validated).

Prerequisites: Experience as a counsellor/support worker who uses counselling skills before practicing as a supervisor. Successful completion of a recognised diploma in counselling, psychotherapy or social work or equivalent. Applicants who do not have a qualification but are sponsored by the organisation they work in will be asked to provide a CV. At least two years’ post-qualifying supervised counselling practice with at least 450 hours of client contact or BACP/COSCA accreditation. Applicants must have at least two individual supervisees who are qualified and/or fully trained counsellors who are working as counsellors, or a firm date to commence this at the start of the course. Should the supervisee not hold a Counselling Diploma they must have an additional supervision arrangement in place with an appropriate experienced and qualified supervisor. The applicant must have arranged for supervision of this supervision practice at a ratio of 1:6 contact hours by a supervisor approved by the course coordinator and course tutor. All applications require a reference from their existing counselling supervisor and from your line manager or professional accredited peer. This training, although experiential, is focused solely on the personal and professional development of participants as a counselling supervisor. Please consider carefully your own level of emotion integration and ability to work within professional boundaries.

Assessment: Case Study 3000 words 25%. An essay on an aspect of theory relating to supervision and chosen by the course member (2000 words 25%). A self-appraisal statement including written reflection on the course member's learning and development (2000 words 25%).

Continuous Assessment 25%: The course member, in consultation with other participants and staff, will make the decision as to his or her theoretical and practical competence and future areas for development. The decision will be provisional until ratified by the Exam Board and External Examiner. The Board and Examiner will determine the participant’s ‘fitness to practice as a counselling supervisor. The self- assessment process will also be aided throughout the course by the assignments, which will include written work on theory, practice and ethics in supervision, as well as reflection on the course member's learning and development 25% Credits: 30 credits at level 3

This training, although experiential, is focused solely on the personal and professional development of participants as a counselling supervisor. Please consider carefully your own level of emotional integration and ability to work within professional boundaries. This course maybe challenging for those who have faced a serious emotional issue in the last 6 months. Please consider this carefully before applying.

CO3002/CO3502- Counselling Skills Dissertation with Group Instruction (September-March)

Course Description: This course is an opportunity to start to think about the importance of the role of research as a counselling skills practitioner and will utilise a mix of theoretical and experiential methods. Students will be supported in the construction and writing of the resulting dissertation, the methods of referencing and relaying data. During the course, students will share and discuss their own work, providing peer group support and constructive criticism on preliminary drafts, with assistance from the tutor with research problems. Individual tutorials will form part of the course.

At the end of the course, you will:

• Understand the importance of research in your work as a counselling skills practitioner. • Have an overview of the main genres of research and what type of research question they are best

suited to. • Have experience of designing a personal study. • Have experience of carrying out a piece of research. • Have experience of presenting research orally.

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Course Outline: There will be lectures on specific aspects of research methods and seminars to share experience and research strategies with tutor facilitation Assessment: Research log 2,500 words 15%, oral seminar presentation 10%, written dissertation 10,000 Words - 75%. Prerequisites: Successful completion of Counselling Skills 1-4 or equivalent (60 credits at level 1). Credits: 30 credits at level 3 This course maybe challenging for those who have faced a serious emotional issue in the last 6 months. Please consider this carefully before applying

READING LIST

The set workbook for each course in the Counselling Skills Certificate (COSCA validated) and Further Steps in Counselling 1 and 2 (COSCA validated) is produced by COSCA. You will be required to buy your copy at the University online store http://www.abdn.ac.uk/infohub/study/online-store.php (please enter the word Counselling in the search box and all the handbooks for sale will be listed. Pick the handbook you wish to order at £25.00) before the course starts. The handbook will be issued by your tutor at the first class. Payment of the COSCA Fee covers your workbook and handling fee also your COSCA registration fee depending on which year of the course you are attending. Each student will be required to buy your own SD card as part of the Counselling course. You should expect to spend at least 2 hours a week doing additional reading. For this you are required to purchase the following books:

Counselling Skills 1 & 2: ‘Counselling Skills and Theory’ by Margaret Hough published by

Hodder Arnold. ISBN 9780340927014 Counselling Skills 3 & 4: ‘Person Centred Counselling in Action’ 3rd Edition by Dave Mearns and Brian

Thorne published by Sage Publications Ltd. ISBN 9781412928557 Suggested Reading List First Steps in Counselling: A Students’ Companion for Introductory Courses (Steps in Counselling Series) (2011) Pete Sanders PCCS Next Steps in Counselling Practice: A students’ companion for degrees, HE Diplomas and vocational courses. A Students Companion for certificate and Skills Courses (Steps in Counselling Series (2009) Peter Sanders PCCS Counselling Skills and Theory (4th ED) (2014) Margaret Hough. Hodder Education Counselling Skills and Studies (2014) Dykes, Kopp and Postings. SAGE. Counselling Skills in Context. (2001) Ed. Sally Aldridge and Sally Rigby. BACP. Hodder Education. Counselling Skills. A Practical guide (2011) John McLeod and Julie McLeod Open University Press. Introduction to Transactional Analysis: Berne, E (2010) What do you say after you say hello? Random House. Berne, E (2011) Games people play: The basic handbook of transactional analysis, Tantor eBooks. TA Today, by Ian Stewart and Vann Jones, Life Space publishing.

Introduction to Psychodynamic Jacobs, M (2012) The presenting past: The core of psychodynamic counselling and therapy, McGraw. Howard, S (2011) Psychodynamic counselling in a nutshell, Sage. Freud, S and Phillips A (2006) The Penguin Freud Reader, Penguin UK.

An Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Mindfulness: ‘Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation for Everyday Life’ by Jon Kabat-Zinn published by Piatkus books ISBN 0749925485 ‘Heal Thy Self’ by Saki Santorelli published by Crown Publications ISBN 0609805045

An Introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: ‘CBT for Beginners’, by Jane Simmons and Rachel Griffiths, published by Sage ISBN978-1-4129-4813-5

Counselling Skills Dissertation with Group Instruction Sanders, P and Wilkins, P (2010) First steps in practitioner research: A guide to understanding and doing research in counselling and health and social care, PCCS Books.

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LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR COUNSELLING SKILLS Speakers of English as a second language should in addition to meeting the University English Language entry requirements be able to demonstrate that they can:

• can express themselves fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions

• can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes • can follow extended colloquial speech on a variety of abstract and complex topics • can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of

organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices Recognised Qualifications: Please go to http://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/undergraduate-degrees-english-requirements- 268.php

COMPUTING REQUIREMENTS

You should be comfortable using a computer and the internet. Once you have been offered, and have accepted a place, you will be required to e-register and confirm your classes online. If you do not do this you will be unable to access the university systems. Written work is submitted via the internet in word format. The university will only communicate with you using your university email account. Assistance will be given to familiarise you with these processes but you should ensure that you are able to use a computer.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS There are no formal entry requirements for the first course, Counselling Skills 1. Since this course is intended for those who wish to know more about counselling skills and a ‘counselling approach’, the only criteria required is an interest in counselling.

It may be possible to enter Counselling Skills 2 directly, based on extensive relevant prior learning and or work-based experience.

Students who are signing up for Counselling Skills 1 (CSK1) are required to take the Learning Readiness for Counselling Skills Test before they will be admitted. The test can be taken at any time and is completed online. Students will be unable to register for Counselling Skills 1, and consequently any of the subsequent courses until they have read and accepted the Semesters and Conditions in the Diagnostic Test. The Test is available at www.abdn.ac.uk/mycurriculum. On completion of the test students can select the appropriate course when making their curriculum choices.

These courses may be challenging for those who are currently undergoing counselling, or who have attended counselling, or faced a serious emotional issue in the last 6 months. Please consider this carefully before applying. ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS Please note that all courses involve a mix of written and oral assessment and students must attend at least 85% of classes. Exemption to this will not be given even with a medical certificate. Students should assume that they will be required to attend 100% of the course. If you choose to take a holiday during the course you should be aware that it is not possible to make up the experiential learning you have missed and your absence will affect your participation mark. All elements must be fulfilled in order to pass.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES Applicants with disabilities are considered on the same grounds as others. Applicants are advised to liaise with the Counselling Skills Programme Coordinator and the University's Student Support Service in order to explore any potential difficulties or to assess additional assistance which may be required.

Student Support can be contacted on 01224 273935, e-mail: student.disability@abdn.ac.uk; further information is available on the website: www.abdn.ac.uk/disabilities/

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FEES The fees for UK and EU students are £280 per 15 credit point course for all courses except the Certificate in Person Centred Supervision (COSCA validated) which is £305 per 15 credits. The up-to-date fees for home and international students can be found on the University website.

There is an additional charge of £25 for each module for those taking Counselling Skills 1-3, £35 for those taking Counselling Skills 4, and £25 for both Further Steps 1 and 2 to cover the cost of COSCA material and registration fees. Those who complete the COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills are required to pay COSCA a fee of £10 for the certificate. Please note that these additional fees are not covered by any fee assistance you may receive. Tuition fees are payable at the start of the new academic year. Your fees will be calculated according to the courses you register for over the full academic year i.e. if you register for Counselling Skills 1 and 2 (£280 per course), the fee payable at registration will be £560. The University requires you to make a minimum payment of 50% at the start of your studies, a payment plan can be set up with Credit Control for the remaining 50% if required, please see below for further details.

COSCA Materials fee: This payment is for your workbook, professional registration and handling costs. This must be paid at the University online store before your first class. Students attending daytime classes should collect their book during their first class from their tutor. Students on evening and Saturday classes will also collect their handbook from their tutor. Please note all students will be required to buy a SC card for the video camera work that is required as part of all counselling courses. Please note in the last week of term your SD card must be cleared of all filming as agreed by the Learning Readiness document and Diagnostic test which you signed at the beginning of the Counselling course. HELP WITH FEES

Tuition fees can be paid in a number of ways.

1) e-Registration: It is preferred that students pay their tuition fees at the same time as completing e-

Registration. The minimum payment is 50% of the total fee with the option of setting up a payment plan to cover the balance.

2) Instalment Plans: If your total tuition fee is £250 or more, you can pay by setting up a payment plan. You can download a Direct Debit payment plan from the fees portal during eRegistration, or collect a printed copy from the Infohub.

3) Online: Online payment can be made via the University's Internet Payments screen. 4) Direct Debit: Direct Debit agreements can be set up by contacting the Credit Control Office or

visiting the Infohub. 5) In person: The Infohub can take cash payments up to the value of £1000, as well as credit and

debit card payments. Payments can be made from Monday – Thursday 0900-1630 and on Friday 1000-1630.

6) Cheques: Cheque should be made payable to ‘The University of Aberdeen’ and sent to The Cash Office, The University of Aberdeen, King’s College, and Aberdeen, AB24 3FX. Please ensure you write the student ID number and surname on the back of the cheque.

7) Help with Fees: Part-time Fee Grant: This is administered by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) and is available to Scottish domiciled students whose income is under £25,000 and who are studying between 30-119 credits per year. The level of grant is linked to the number of credits you are taking.

8) Eligible students should download the part-time application form through the SAAS Website www.saas.gov. More information is available on the website.

Completed SAAS part-time fee grant applications should be addressed to Part time Fee Grant, Registry (Student Services) and handed in at the Infohub. Emails about this should be sent to ptfees@abdn.ac.uk. Your completed application cannot be endorsed by the university until after you have completed full registration at the start of semester.

Your application for support must be with SAAS no later than three months after your course starts. If they receive your application later than three months after your course starts, they will reject your application.

Tuition fee support for dual EU (non UK) and UK nationals Part-time students studying up to 75 credits (maximum) may be eligible to apply for the SAAS Part-Time Fee Grant or SDS ILA to help towards the cost of tuition fees.

Please note that you can only be awarded either an ILA or a Part-Time Fee Grant at any one time.

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Therefore it is important that you look at both options and decide at the beginning of the academic year which award is the most appropriate for your study. For more information visit http://www.abdn.ac.uk/infohub/finance/parttime-students.php.

Individual Learning Account (ILA) Scottish domiciled students taking one course only may be eligible for a Skills Development Scotland Individual Learning Account (ILA) of £200. Information can be found on the www.abdn.ac.uk/infohub/.../individual-learning-account-449.php

Up-to-date fee information can be found on the University webpage http://www.abdn.ac.uk/infohub/documents/Undergrad_part-time_and_distance_learning_2017-18(1).pdf EXEMPTIONS

Accreditation for Prior Learning

If you wish to apply for direct entry to Counselling Skills 2 on the basis of your prior learning, you should submit the information outlined below. Please remember that your documentation will be expected to meet the criteria for passing Counselling Skills 1, which is an assessed course. For session 2017-18 this information should be submitted by 18 August 2017.

1. Evidence that you have completed 30 hours of counselling skills training.

Having undergone counselling training will not in itself meet this requirement. You must give a clear indication of the course level and include evidence of passing/completing the course. An outline of the learning outcomes of this training should form part of the submission.

2. A Curriculum Vitae

Include anything that may be relevant to counselling skills such as: • Work experience • Voluntary experience • Courses/workshops attended • General interests • Any experience specifically related to counselling skills

3. A Written Statement

This should be around 500 words in length, describing any personal development and learning which has occurred since beginning counselling skills training.

4. A Confidential Reference

This should be from someone who has trained you or a supervisor who is aware of the level of your counselling skills at present. Please submit this as early as possible, so that we have time to assess your submission, and to clarify your status regarding Counselling Skills 2.

Also, let us know if you do not wish to proceed with the exemption process. You should apply for entry to Counselling Skills 1 pending the outcome of your application, so that we may hold a place for you if the APL application is unsuccessful. You should prepare your application as fully and professionally as possible. Applications are reviewed by a panel comprising the Programme Director and associated team. The Panel’s decision will be notified to you in writing and, if successful, your registration will be revised to offer a place on Counselling Skills 2. Please note we cannot give you a decision by telephone.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply please go to the website http://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/counselling-skills.php and follow the instructions.

Places on this course are in great demand and an early application is advised. Please read the prospectus carefully before completing an application form. All applications should be submitted before Monday 21 August 2017. Late applications may be considered if places are available.

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Diagnostic Test APPENDIX 1

Readiness for Studying Counselling Skills The Counselling Skills programme is suitable for anyone who wants to know more about counselling skills and a ‘counselling approach’, either for use in their workplace or for their own personal development. It is an excellent starting point to train as a counsellor or psychotherapist. Successful completion of the Counselling Skills courses 1-4 enable students to progress on to more advanced courses which include person-centred counselling, mindfulness and psychodynamic approaches.

Before registering for the course you should read the following statements and tick/check the box to confirm your understanding and agreement.

Statements Tick Counselling Skills courses can be challenging for those who are currently undergoing counselling, or who themselves have attended counselling, or faced a serious emotional issue in the last 6 months. Students who wish to discuss any concerns should e-mail counsellingskills@abdn.ac.uk to make an appointment before continuing with their registration.

I have read and understand the above statement.

Counselling Skills courses are fully accredited by COSCA (Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland). In order to successfully complete each course COSCA require students to attend all classes. No exemptions are permitted.

I understand I must attend all classes as required by COSCA (Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland). (Extenuating circumstances will be considered with supporting evidence.)

Class sizes are capped at 14 in accordance with COSCA requirements. Students will be provided with an alternative time if their preferred option is full or not available. No class changes will be made after week 2 of teaching.

I agree to consider alternative option presented to me if my first choice of class is not available. I understand that I will not be able to change classes after week 2 of teaching.

Students must be prepared to participate in all aspects of the course which will include real-time skills practice sessions and recording of skills practice. I confirm that I have read and agree to the SD Cards Participation Agreement. http://www.abdn.ac.uk/infohub/study/diagnostic-tests-1067.php

I understand that by joining the course I am consenting to actively participate and contribute to the learning of the group, and my own learning.

I understand that there are no exceptions from engaging with the course materials and activities. Students are actively encouraged to discuss any concerns with tutors and/or the Programme Director.

I understand I can speak to the support services and/or with members of the course team at any time.

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Additional to the standard fee for the course a compulsory charge of £25 is made for each of Counselling Skills 1-4, and Further Steps 1 and 2. This payment is to cover the cost of the workbook, COSCA professional registration and handling costs. Please This must be paid at the University online store before your first class at the beginning of each module. I agree to pay the £25 charge as detailed above.

Students who successfully complete the COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills are also required to pay COSCA a fee of £10 for the certificate.

I agreed to pay the £10 fee for m COSCA Certificate

I agree to give permission for my personal details to be passed on to COSCA in accordance with the professional registration requirements.

I agree to the standard terms and conditions governing offers of admission to the University.

SD Card Participation Agreement

The Counselling Skills Certificate Course run by the University of Aberdeen is validated by Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA). As part of the course you are required to participate in mock counselling skills sessions. You will take part in these sessions as either a client (speaker), a counsellor (listener) or an observer. COSCA require that the University makes a video recording of these sessions. You will be required to buy a SD card for these sessions in which you participate for use in your course work. The SD card must be cleared of all confidentially recordings during the last week of each term. The University may retain a copy of some video recordings for assessment purposes and to meet the requirements for COSCA validation.

Before you may take part in these sessions, the University requires that you agree to the following conditions of participation:

1. You acknowledge that your participation in the mock counselling skills sessions as a client

(speaker) may require or result in the disclosure of private or personal details. You agree to permit the University to video record any mock counselling skills session in which you take part, to distribute the video recording to other participants in the sessions and to retain a copy for assessment or other purposes.

2. You acknowledge that copyright in the video recording will belong to the University. You agree not

to copy the video recording either in whole or in part. You agree not to distribute the video recording (or any part of it) in any form, including in the form of transcriptions, quotations or digital downloads except for the purposes of the course assessment.

3. You acknowledge that the SD Card itself will be, and even when in your possession will

remain, the property of the University. You agree: • at all times to take all reasonable care to safeguard the SD Card; • to notify the University immediately should the SD Card be lost or stolen; and • to clear the SD Card of all confidential recordings on the last week of each term and on

completion of the course or asked to do so by the University.

4. You agree that all information disclosed during mock counselling skills sessions, including all inferences or deductions made by subsequent review or analysis, are strictly confidential. You agree that, unless you have first obtained the express, written permission of both the client (speaker) and the University, you will not: • disclose such information to any third party; or • view the video recording of any mock counselling session in the presence of any person

not present at that session.

5. You acknowledge that you owe the University and the other participants of mock counselling skills sessions a duty to maintain the confidentiality of information disclosed at such sessions. You agree that this duty may be enforced by the University or by any person who suffers loss or harm (whether economic or otherwise) as a consequence of your breach of that duty, irrespective of

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whether the breach is deliberate or negligent. 6. You acknowledge that, if you breach any of these conditions of participation, the University has

the right to take disciplinary proceedings against you. In particular, you acknowledge that the University may refuse to award you a Counselling Skills Certificate (or any other academic qualification for which you are reading) should you fail to clear the content of the SD Card in your possession on completion of the course or on demand from the University. You further acknowledge that the University may take legal action against you to recover any losses, damages, awards, costs (including legal costs) or expenses incurred by the University that arise from or are connected with your breach of these conditions.

7. You agree that, except in the case of death or personal injury, the University will have no liability to

you for losses, damages or harm of any form (whether economic or otherwise) arising from or in connection with your participation in mock counselling skills sessions and the use of video recording equipment.

These conditions of participation form a legally binding agreement between you, the University and your fellow participants in the mock counselling skills sessions. If you are uncertain of the implications you should e-mail counsellingskills@abdn.ac.uk to arrangement an appointment to speak with someone from the Counselling team.