Advanced Diploma of Christian Counselling

The St Mark’s Advanced Diploma of Christian Counselling is delivered via weekly face-to-face 3 hour training sessions for 38 weeks. There is an external practicum required. The course is divided into 2 Units.

Pre-requisite for entry into this course are the Certificate IV in Christian Counselling and Communication Skills, or equivalent qualifications. Applicants seeking entry on the basis of previous study (Recognition of Prior Learning) need to apply to the RTO Manager.

The purpose of this St Mark’s Advanced Diploma of Christian Counselling is to prepare graduates for working in real counselling situations. By the end of this course, graduates will be competent in:

Developing a therapeutic relationship.
Conceptualising the therapeutic process.
Relating the underpinning theoretical material to the counselling process.
Understanding of the range of psychological theories that inform counselling practice, including evidenced-based practice.
Understanding a range of commonly presenting issues in counselling.
Self reflective practice.
Presentation of cases at supervision.
Professionally responding to legal and ethical issues.
In-depth reflection on the integration of Christian theology with professional counselling practice.

Professional Issues Papers

There are a number of professional issues papers that are presented when they have particular relevance to supervision issues, including working emotionally with clients, use of prayer and other counselling interventions.

Reflective Practice

Throughout the course, students are encouraged to struggle with and develop personal positions on the theoretical material presented. This prepares them for dealing with a range of presenting client issues.

Practice Counselling Sessions

These are included during Unit 1 and are designed to give students further practice of the counselling skills and models taught during the Certificate IV course in preparation for working with real clients in Unit 2. Students take turns at taking the counsellor or client role, using their own material or role play provided when taking the client role.

Required text books for the course include:

Worden, J.W. (2003) Grief Counselling and Grief Therapy: A Handbook for the mental health practitioner, 3rd edn, Tavistock/Routledge, New York - [Edition not essential].
Collins, G. (1988) Christian Counselling: A Comprehensive Guide (Revised edn), W Publishing Group - [Not compulsory but a useful text to have].

Teaching modules:

Name of module	Content Description of Module
Psychological Theories and Therapies in Christian Context	Psychoanalytical theory; Alderian; Frankl & Existential thinking; Freud; Erikson & Development of personality; Rogers & Person-centred therapy; Perles & Gestalt therapy; Berne & Transactional Analysis; Lazarus & Behaviour Therapy; Glasser & Reality Therapy; Bowen & Couple and Family Therapies; Adams & Nouthetic Counselling; Crabb & Biblical Counselling; While & Prayer counselling.
Advanced Counselling Skills	Assessment tools in counselling; advanced grief counselling; counselling depressed clients; crisis and suicide counselling; addictions counselling; childhood abuse; conflict resolution; working with adult/teenage/child clients.
Use of Self in Counselling	Boundaries; transference and counter transference; counsellors’ well-being; professional values and ethics.
Practicum and Supervision	Intensive practice sessions with expert supervision.
Group Process 2	Continuing growth in use of Self in a group situation.
Professional Issues 2	Supervision; referrals; rooms; advertising; working with an agency, note taking, mandatory reporting of child abuse.

Assessment of competencies is through a variety of ongoing and specific assignments including:

Written assignments.
Research and class presentation.
Personal interviews.
Self assessment (see below).
Ongoing observation and monitoring of students as they are involved in
* role plays;
* practice counselling sessions as observer, client and counsellor;
* experiential exercises.

Course Outcomes

In order to pass the qualification, students need to achieve the following competencies, all of which are covered within the training program:

CHCAOD201D	Prepare for alcohol and other drugs work.
CHCCHILD401A	Identify and respond to children and young people at risk.
CHCCS407B	Operate referral procedures.
CHCCS422A	Respond holistically to client issues and refer appropriately.
CHCCS426A	Provide support and care relating to loss and grief.
CHCCS521A	Assess and respond to individuals at risk of suicide.
CHCCSL504A	Apply personality and development theories.
CHCCSL506A	Apply counselling therapies to address a range of client issues.
CHCCSL508A	Apply legal and ethical responsibilities in counselling practice.
CHCORG428A	Reflect on and improve own professional practice.
CHCCW503A	Work intensively with clients.
CHCDFV505C	Counsel clients affected by domestic and family violence.
CHCTC301B	Deliver a service consistent with the organisation’s mission and values.
CCC004	Utilise specialist counselling skills and techniques within a counselling session.
CCC005	Work with clients’ psychological process within a counselling situation.
CCC007	Work with and critique psychological theories within a Christian context.
CCC008	Work in real counselling situations with appropriate interventions.

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updated: April 16, 2010