WELF 7012 Further Clinical Studies in Psychotherapy and Counselling

Credit Points 20

Legacy Code 102366

Coordinator Susan Field Opens in new window

Description This subject aims to develop clinical practice skills. It will involve preparation for the field placements and group supervision of casework and issues arising from the placements. The subject involves a clinical placement working under the guidance of a clinical supervisor from the professional background of the students under supervision. Students will undertake 200 placement hours.

School Social Sciences

Discipline Counselling

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 20cp

Check your fees via the Fees page.

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject

Pre-requisite(s) WELF 7002

Equivalent Subjects LGYA 1628 - Further Clinical Studies (Counselling)

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in 1647 Graduate Diploma in Counselling or 1817 Master of Psychotherapy and Counselling.

Assumed Knowledge

Previous completion of clinical placement.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate ability to relate theoretical knowledge and practical skills to the placement setting, gaining confidence in client work and developing clinical judgement.
  2. Engage in further supervised clinical practice with individuals and/or families and groups, including longer-term work with at least some clients, participating as a member of an agency clinical team.
  3. Demonstrate ability to reflect critically upon their clinical work, including detailed observation, documentation and analysis of one particular case.
  4. Demonstrate an appropriate standard of professional and clinical practice for a graduating clinician in counselling and psychotherapy, including the ability to self-evaluate and respond flexibly to changing clinical situations and reflect on their own professional conduct (including ethical, legal and cross-cultural aspects as relevant).
  5. Satisfactorily complete the minimum number of supervised placement hours required by the appropriate professional body.
  6. To consider, observe and analyse the counselling process from the position of the client.

Subject Content

- Placement in an appropriate setting for 200 hours
- Observation of an agency at work
- Examination of the way in which the treatment models and management structures of the agency affect the functioning of the therapist or counsellor
- Working as part of a team
- Working with clients under supervision
- Development of clinical skills in practice: therapeutic skills, maintaining the frame of therapy, observation of appropriate boundaries, adherence to ethical practices, engagement and assessment of Issues with clients, use of supervision, presentation skills, report writing, record keeping

Special Requirements

Legislative pre-requisites

Special Requirements - NSW Health Legislative Prerequisites Pre-requisites

Student Compliance Information for all Health-Related Placements

Prior to enrolling in this subject, students must have submitted a Student Undertaking Form and undertake to apply for a National Police Check, which is required to be submitted before placement, and a Working with Children Check Student Declaration. Use the link to the Special Requirements webpage below for more information.

To be eligible to enrol in this subject and complete any required health-related placements or experiences, students must meet Western Sydney University program requirements as well as any special, legislated, or policy-mandated requirements.

Western Program Requirements

Visit the Special Requirements webpage for details about your program.

Special Requirements

Mandatory NSW Health student placement policy requirements

To be able to undertake placement in any NSW Health facility you must be assessed as compliant with NSW Health student placement policy in the first year of your program, regardless of when you expect to go on your first placement. Access and read the NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet.

NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet

Please ensure that you

  1.  Find your existing National Police Check or apply for one
  2.  Gather documentary evidence of your vaccination history
  3.  Print and compete all relevant NSW Health forms relevant to the campus you are enrolled at or online enrolment requirements
  4.  Follow booklet instructions on how to have your compliance documents assessed by NSW health staff.

International students have additional requirements; the link to the booklet will inform you of these requirements.

School Requirements

Contact your School for further details regarding your School’s requirements, if any, such as

  • If you live outside of NSW or Australia and need to meet your state, territory or country’s compliance requirements
  • If you need to meet different state, territory or country compliance requirements.
  • NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) or other state equivalent, valid for your entire program.
  • Current approved first aid certificate valid for your entire program - approved program providers can be found at the Government Training website
  • http://training.gov.au
  • Other non-health related requirements.

Student Compliance Resources are also available on the Placements Hub web page (NSW students only)

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/learning_futures/home/placements_hub/placements_hub/student_compliance

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Type Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Participation Ongoing S/U Y Individual
Professional Placement Performance 200 hours S/U Y Individual
Essay 2,000 words S/U Y Individual
Case Study 2,000 words S/U Y Individual
Reflection 1,000 words S/U Y Individual

Prescribed Texts

  • Crago, H. & Gardner, P. (2019). A safe place for change: Skills and capacities for counselling and therapy. Rev 2nd Ed. Caringdale, QLD: Interactive Publications

Teaching Periods

2nd Half (2023)

Parramatta - Victoria Rd

On-site

Subject Contact Susan Field Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window

2nd Half (2024)

Parramatta - Victoria Rd

On-site

Subject Contact Susan Field Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window