Counselling Studies
Contents
Introduction
Counselling is an emerging profession in Australia, and other professions are recognising the value of having some basic counselling skills and knowledge. Our innovative counselling programs are designed to prepare people to work in a range of contexts. So whether you are wanting basic counselling skills and knowledge to enhance your practice as a teacher, doctor, nurse or other professional, or whether you want to become a professional counsellor, there is a course or unit for you. Perhaps you have some experience in the field but wish to upgrade your academic qualifications, either by further clinical education or by carrying out a research project. Please go to ‘Research’ in the side menu for further information.
Studying counselling can be an exciting, even life-transforming experience. It is not only intellectually stimulating, bringing together knowledge from a range of disciplines, it is also personally challenging. Not only will you learn theory and skills to equip you to make a difference in other people’s lives, but you will also be required to reflect on your own life, including your motivations for entering this field. Awareness of your own values, and the ways you have been shaped by family, community and culture, is recognised as an essential aspect of ethical and professional counselling practice.
You may wish to enrol in one of our awards, or in individual units as electives to enhance your non counselling award. Please go to and ‘Counselling units available as electives’ to view your options.
Why study Counselling at UNE?
Counselling at UNE has made a strong contribution to the professionalisation of counselling and psychotherapy in Australia and Asia through its links with Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).
Our counselling awards offer:
- flexibility in pathways, entry and exit points.
- the convenience of distance education combined with the unique learning environment provided by intensive residential schools.
- the opportunity for students to organise study time around the demands of work and home.
- intensive skills training in an attractive rural setting, free from the distractions of work and home.
- an opportunity to develop a powerful professional network with other students and staff through the intensive training process.
Courses
In response to evolving needs and increasing standards within a developing profession, our courses are designed to offer flexibility in pathways, and entry and exit points.
Our *postgraduate awards offer a clear clinical pathway from Graduate Certificate to Master of Counselling:
- The 24 credit point Graduate Certificate in Counselling
- The 48 credit point Graduate Diploma in Counselling You may exit at this point, or continue to
- The 48 credit point Master of Counselling
* Those without a degree who do not qualify for entry into the postgraduate awards can enrol in the undergraduate Bachelor of Health Ageing and Community Service (BHACS) which has a counselling stream comprising the 4 units in the Graduate Certificate. These units are also available as electives for students enrolled in other degrees.
Please click on ‘Counselling units available as electives’ in the contents for further information.
For further information about courses please go to http://www.une.edu.au/courses/
In addition to our clinical awards we also have two research awards: Master of Counselling (Hons) and PhD.
Units
A growing number of students are choosing our counselling units as electives. Are you enrolled in another school or university and interested in doing some counselling electives? Why not ask your school or university if you can enrol in some of the units below as part of your award?
- HSCS416 Foundational Counselling Skills (Semester 1)
- HSCS417 Foundational Counselling Issues (Semester 2)
- HSCS418 Foundational Counselling Theory (Semester 1)
- HSCS419 Mental Health Counselling (Semester 2)
- HSCS478 Trauma and Violence Issues in Counselling (Semester 1) *
- HSCS474 Counselling in Loss and Grief (Semester 1)*
- HSCS475 Spiritual Issues in Counselling (Semester 2)*
- HSCS472 Child and Adolescence Counselling (Semester 2)*
HSCS416, 417, 418, 419 together comprise the Graduate Certificate in Counselling (link to courses). Undergraduate students will be expected to have completed at least 2 units at 200 or 300 level. You would be advised to have completed one or two of these units before attempting the asterisked units.
For further information about individual counselling units, go to Course Catalogue.
Careers
Our graduates are employed in a range of professional settings, including:
- Relationships centres and counselling agencies
- School counselling in non-government schools
- Family Relationship Centres
- Telephone counselling centres, e.g. Lifeline
- Church based counselling organisations
- Private practice
- Department of Community Services and Juvenile Justice
- Community Health Centres
- Christian Ministry
- Youth work
In addition, a knowledge of basic counselling skills and theory is an asset in a range of professional contexts, including teaching, nursing, general medical practice, complementary therapies.
Partnerships, Networks and Industry Links
Counselling at UNE has made a strong contribution to the growing professionalisation of counselling and psychotherapy in Australia and Asia through its links with Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). Our Master of Counselling is also offered in partnership with Shue Yan University Hong Kong.
UNE has also enjoyed an ongoing relationship with a number of agencies and training organizations, including the following:
- Anglican Counselling Service, including the Lois Reid College of Counselling Studies
- Lifeline
- St Mark’s Theological College Canberra
- Unifam
- Relationships Australia
Research
The following are some of the areas in which counselling staff and postgraduate students have engaged:
- Spiritual issues in counselling
- The impact of suicide on family survivors and therapists
- Social and cultural aspects of Indigenous identity
- The impact of childhood trauma on identity
- Cultural and diversity issues in counselling
- Counsellor development and education
- Gender and sexual preference issues in counselling
- Grief and loss issues in counselling
- Addiction issues
- Self esteem and mental health issues
Prac/professional experience
A special feature of our training is the professional portfolio that students are asked to keep throughout their enrolment. This provides a systematic record of counselling practice hours, supervision and additional professional development that is invaluable when seeking employment and membership of professional organizations. In addition, the portfolio offers opportunity for ongoing reflection on your professional development as a counsellor, including growth in personal qualities and skills, knowledge of theory and ethical codes, as well as emerging professional issues. A supervised practicum in counselling (HSCS641) is available at Masters level.
Intensive Residential Schools
Many students find the combination of distance education and intensive residential schools very convenient because they can upgrade their qualifications without having to give up their jobs and relocate, or without having to attend weekly training on top of a day’s work.
Instead students are required to attend compulsory intensive schools, usually lasting 3-4 days, in the skills units in our awards. These can be time out from the commitments of home and work so that you can focus on study. We believe that these intensives are essential for developing counselling skills and receiving timely feedback. The group experience also provides an opportunity for personal and professional growth and development, as well as developing professional networks.
Contacts
Help for Students You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE
Future Students may also call 1800 818 865 |
Contact us
Dr Randolph Bowers
rbowers@une.edu.au Telephone 61 2 6773 3681
Dr Sally Hunter
shunter7@une.edu.au Telephone 61 2 6773 3670
Dr Myfanwy Maple
mmaple@une.edu.au Telephone 61 2 6773 3661
Dr Susan O’Loughlin
solough2@une.edu.au Telephone 61 2 6773 3722