Recommended Study Sequence

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Admission

Applications for the course must be made through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Further information on admission to postgraduate courses is available on the Local Admissions section of the UWS website. International applicants should contact UWS International for details on admission.

Students must have

Undergraduate Degree in Psychology, Social Work or Social Welfare

Recognition of equivalent learning including extensive and sustained relevant clinical experience under supervision, and in-service training; and demonstration of ability to read, and write, at post-graduate level.

PLUS

Submission in writing of a 200-250 word statement of intent that explains why the person is seeking entry to the course.

Satisfactory performance at a small group entry interview process.

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 40 credit points including the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Recommended sequence

Part-time

Year 1

First session

Counselling 1

This unit is a foundational unit for postgraduate counselling and therapeutic studies. It forms the first part of a 40 credit point sequence undertaken during the first year. Counselling 1 presents the foundational skills necessary for the successful inception of a productive counselling relationship. The sequenced, progressive presentation of these skills via experiential learning is framed by the simultaneous presentation of key theoretical concepts relevant to the skills in question. Students will be asked to consider how each of the major theoretical approaches to counselling and psychotherapy would conceptualise this stage of the relationship and the skills associated with it.

Second session

Counselling 2

This unit is a foundational unit for postgraduate counselling and therapeutic studies. It forms the second part of a 40 credit point sequence undertaken during the first year. Counselling 2 offers further practice in foundational counselling skills introduced in Counselling 1. In addition, students are introduced to skills appropriate to the unfolding counselling/therapy relationship, such as confrontation and immediacy (here-and-now intervention). Continued skills practice in triads is required, plus continuing membership in the 'Here and Now' group initiated in 101328. Group work in this unit will be more challenging, inviting deeper levels of vulnerability and greater openness to giving and receiving honest feedbacfk. Assessment tasks will require analysis of group process and of students' own counselling skills over 6-8 counselling sessions with an undergraduate volunteer client. Theoretical perspectives will include concepts of problem-formation and change facilitation across the major paradigms; the significance of the therapeutic relationship across the major paradigms ('here and now' intervention vs 'there and soon' intervention); stages and change-points in the adult life cycle with appropriateness of varying therapeutic models to each stage.

Graduate Certificate in Counselling

Counselling is a cross-disciplinary pathway into a career in helping human beings in distress. In counselling, clients learn and change within a dedicated helping relationship, in which high levels of skill, sensitivity, self knowledge and ethical conduct are required of the helper. The Graduate Certificate in Counselling is aimed at those who hold an existing degree in a recognised helping profession, and are already working in counselling, but who wish to upgrade their level of basic skills in this demanding area via a sequenced, cumulative training in basic skills and concomitant self awareness over one year.

Therapeutic Studies and Counselling at UWS

Most recognised ‘helping professions’ include some counselling training. This is often limited in scope, and taught before the student is actually practising as a counsellor. As a result, many professionals end up providing counselling services as part of their work, but recognise that their skills need upgrading.

This course will train you in the fundamental skills that are common to all recognised approaches to counselling and psychotherapy, while challenging you to develop your self awareness so that you can work ethically and responsibly with your clients. Our permanent and casual academic staff are all experienced counsellors and therapists, from a range of different professional backgrounds and orientations. You will learn from people whose clinical experience directly informs their teaching, and who can relate theory to practice.

It’s all about Career Opportunities

On successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Counselling, graduates already working as psychologists, social workers and welfare workers may wish to redeploy to a more counselling-specific area of their profession.

Professional Accreditation

Our program meets the training standards recommended by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, a peak body representing a large number of professional organisations in the sector.

Study Mode

One year part-time study.

Location

Penrith

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 40 credit points.

Admission Requirements

Candidates can enter this program by relevant undergraduate qualifications (Social Sciences with relevant majors, Social Work, Community Welfare, Psychology, Behavioural Sciences, Health Science, Nursing, Education) or equivalent prior learning recognition as assessed by portfolio. An interview is required, of all applicants.

How to Apply

All domestic applications for entry to UWS postgraduate courses must be made through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Step by step instructions are available on on How to Apply pages.

Do you need more information?

Request a course and application information pack:
Course Enquiry Form
International Course Enquiry Form

Alternatively you are welcome to contact us.