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Advanced Diploma of Christian Counselling (80913ACT)

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.

Entry Requirements

  • St Mark’s Certificate IV in Christian Counselling and Communication Skills (preferred entry requirement), or appropriate equivalent qualifications.

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 Textbooks

  • Geldard, D., & Geldard, K. Basic Personal Counselling, 7th edn, Frenchs Forest: Prentice Hall/Pearson Education Australia, 2012.
  • Worden, J.W. Grief Counselling and Grief Therapy: A Handbook for the mental health practitioner, 4th ed, New York: Springer Publishing, 2009. [Edition not essential]

  • Tan, Siang-Yang. Counselling and Psychotherapy: A Christian Perspective (1st ed). Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic. 2011.

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:

Competencies from Community Services Training Package (CHC08):

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

 

Competencies written for St Mark’s Advanced Diploma of Christian Counselling:

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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