

Diploma of Counselling Skills
Diploma of Counselling Skills
Develop foundational knowledge and ignite your passion for counselling
Be intrigued by the human mind

Overview
The Diploma of Counselling Skills (DipCounSk) provides an introduction to the field of counselling and provides graduates with a strong skills foundation and theory base from which to provide community service and counselling support within the community services and health industries.
The course introduces students to counselling theories as well as an understanding of mental health and wellness, ethical and legal practice, and personal and professional development.
This course has been accredited by the Navitas Professional Institute (NPI) under its self-accrediting authority.
*This course is not available to international students on campus in Perth, Byron Bay, Brisbane or Adelaide.

What you'll learn
Expertise in human behaviour forms the foundation of all our courses including our Diploma of Counselling Skills.
EXPLORE WITH AN APPLIED FOCUS:
Reflective learning and practice
Psychology of health and wellness
Counselling skills
Personal and professional management
Development psychology
Social, legal and ethical frameworks
Course structure
This course is comprised of 8 units, which are level 100 units.
The course duration is 1 year full time or up to 3 years part time. For more information on the recommended course sequence click here.
Level: 100 level core
Credit points: 6
Prerequisites: None
Unit Description:
This unit introduces students to the principles and effective processes for developing personal and professional self-awareness in counselling. Students engage in an analysis of the characteristics of self and influences on effective counselling processes and practices. Students appraise practices, processes and systemic barriers that have the potential to influence personal and professional growth and development in the counselling profession. Students develop a knowledge base to assist them plan for sustainable mental health and wellness in the counselling profession.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
a. Outline the principles and effective processes for developing personal and professional self-awareness in counselling
b. Analyse the characteristics of self and influences on effective counselling processes and practices
c. Appraise practices, processes and systemic barriers on personal and professional development in the counselling profession
d. Plan for sustainable mental health and wellness in the counselling profession
Learning and Teaching Process:
The workload for this unit is 10 hours per week.
Level: 100 level core
Credit points: 6
Prerequisites: None
Unit Description:
This unit introduces students to mental health literacy inclusive of programs, strategies, interventions and information for individuals of diverse backgrounds. Students demonstrate their developing mental health literacy through effectively communicating using different modalities. Analysing evidence- informed, practice-based contemporary issues of mental health for diverse individuals and diverse groups, students critically reflect on the core stages of mental health – prevention, early intervention and intervention.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
a. Execute foundational interpretation of mental health literacy inclusive of programs, strategies, interventions and information for individuals of diverse backgrounds
b. Critically reflect on the core stages of mental health – prevention, early intervention and intervention
c. Analyse evidence-informed, practice-based contemporary issues of mental health for individuals of diverse backgrounds
d. Demonstrate a developing mental health literacy using different modalities
Learning and Teaching Process:
The workload for this unit is 10 hours per week.
Level: 100 level core
Credit points: 6
Mode of delivery: On-campus and online
Unit Description:
Opening up possibilities for developing multidisciplinary knowledge and practice, ACAP draws on the four disciplines in the college to develop three integrative units that are core to first-year undergraduate courses and a postgraduate course. These inquiry-driven units lay the groundwork for engaging students with multidisciplinary thinking, discourse and initiative in their fields of endeavour and in their future profession.
This unit introduces the student to academic skills and reflective writing practices. The unit develops the student’s understanding of ethical practice across multiple disciplines. The human rights framework in Australia and its relation to ethics and ethical behaviour in professional practice is also explored.
Learning outcomes:
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
a. Demonstrate effective information literacy skills when identifying and assessing the credibility of sources
b. Demonstrate reflective thinking skills in constructing arguments about ethics in contemporary society and their value in their chosen profession
c. Describe, explain and reflect on the key parts of relevant professional codes of conduct and ethics and their role in professional life
d. Identify ethical dilemmas and apply ethical frameworks to guide practical decision making
e. Demonstrate a capacity for self-awareness and emerging reflective practices in personal and professional development
Unit workload:
The workload for this unit is 10 hours per week.
Level: 100 level core
Credit points: 6
Prerequisites:
Diploma of Counselling Skills and Bachelor of Counselling:
- COUN1211 Professional Reflection and Self-Care
- COUN1221 Mental Health and Wellness
- MULT1025 Professions and Society
Bachelor of Psychological Science and Counselling: None
Bachelor of Psychological Science: None
Co-requisites:
Diploma of Counselling Skills and Bachelor of Counselling :
- COUN1251 Counselling Theory
Bachelor of Psychological Science and Counselling: None
Unit Description:
In this unit, students develop an understanding of the historical development of the counselling profession and an applied understanding of counselling skills. Student learning is facilitated using relevant readings, extensive section notes in the unit curriculum, learning activities, skills practice and self-reflection. Students’ self-awareness of the influence of their values, attitudes and biases is fundamental in the development of effective counselling skills.
The process of assessment and establishing the counselling relationship is introduced in this unit. The counselling relationship is an important means of facilitating change and growth. Understanding of the stages of counselling provides a framework for practicing new skills. Students will learn how they can assist clients to achieve positive outcomes and increase their self-understanding.
Foundational counselling skills are introduced in this unit. There will be opportunity for learning through watching counselling demonstrations on YouTube and video resources available on the library website. Learning activities provide opportunity for practice with peers in triad groups. This is a very important part of developing counselling skills.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
a. Describe ethical principles and processes for multicultural counselling and interviewing
b. Discuss counsellor receptiveness to the client’s unique worldview
c. Demonstrate foundational counselling and interviewing microskills to conduct a full session using only listening skills
d. Demonstrate self-awareness, openness to learn, and the receptivity to receive and implement feedback for microskill development
Learning and Teaching Process:
The workload for this unit is 10 hours per week.
Level: 100 level core
Credit points: 6
Mode of delivery: On-campus and online
Unit Description
Opening up possibilities for developing multidisciplinary knowledge and practice, ACAP draws on the 4 Disciplines in the College to develop three integrative units that are core to first-year Undergraduate courses. These inquiry-driven units lay the groundwork for engaging students with multidisciplinary thinking, discourse and initiative in their fields of endeavour and in their future profession/vocation.
This unit will introduce students the issues of living and working in a culturally diverse professional and social environment. We will examine interactions between our own and others’ personal cultural identities, and how these shape our experience of relationships personally and professionally. The unit provides students with an opportunity to explore, analyse and reflect on the cultural context in which you will study and practice your chosen profession, and to develop the foundational critical thinking and reflective skills required for this.
Learning outcomes:
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
a. Identify, summarise and communicate concepts from credible sources of information
b. Explain the role of culture, cultural identity and cultural influence in higher education and professional practice
c. Evaluate and apply theories and evidence related to culturally safe practices in professional practice
Unit workload:
The workload for this unit is 10 hours per week.
Textbook
The required text book for this unit can be found by viewing the textbook list by selecting the course and trimester at the following link: http://www.acap.edu.au/current-students/managing-my-course/order-course-materials-and-text-books/
Academic misconduct
Ethical conduct and academic integrity and honesty are fundamental to the mission of ACAP. Academic misconduct will not be tolerated by the college. Please refer to the Academic Misconduct Policy for full details.
Disclaimer
Unit information may be subject to change prior to the teaching trimester commencing. Once term has commenced please review the Unit Outline in your class space to ensure your trimester study plan is correct.
Level: 100 level core
Credit Points: 6
Mode of delivery: On-campus and online
Unit description:
Opening up possibilities for developing multidisciplinary knowledge and practice, ACAP draws on the 4 Disciplines in the College to develop three integrative units that are core to first-year Undergraduate courses. These inquiry-driven units lay the groundwork for engaging students with multidisciplinary thinking, discourse and initiative in their fields of endeavour and in their future profession/vocation.
This unit will introduce students the issues of sustainability on a personal, professional and community level. We will examine individual and group practices that can meet the needs of current generations without compromising our or future generations ability to meet their own needs through a transdisciplinary perspective. This will encompass evidence-based approaches to promoting sustainability in the context of study, professional work and within our communities.
The unit provides students with an opportunity to explore, analyse and reflect on the contribution of human behaviour to the sustainability of individuals and communities, and apply this to their personal, educational and future professional lives.
Learning outcomes:
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
1. Define sustainability in personal, professional and community contexts.
2. Apply the principles of sustainability to personal, professional and community contexts.
3. Implement evidence-based approaches to take action to support sustainability.
Unit workload
The workload for this unit is 10 hours per week.
Level: 100 level core
Credit points: 6
Prerequisites:
Diploma of Counselling Skills, Bachelor of Counselling (Nested), Bachelor of Counselling (Minor in Coaching):
- COUN1211 Professional Reflection and Self-Care
- COUN1221 Mental Health and Wellness
- MULT1025 Professions and Society
Bachelor of Psychological Science and Counselling: None
Bachelor of Psychological Science: None
Co-requisites:
Diploma of Counselling Skills, Bachelor of Counselling (Nested), Bachelor of Counselling (Minor in Coaching),
- COUN1231 Counselling Skills Training 1
Bachelor of Psychological Science and Counselling: None
Unit Description:
This unit introduces students to foundational theories of counselling practice. Students develop their knowledge and understanding of counselling as they differentiate, describe and apply counselling theories within specific contexts for diverse client presentations. Students begin working these theories into their own personal theory of counselling as they critically reflect on theories of choice and divergence from their own frames of reference.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
a. Describe the purpose of theories in the counselling and career counselling process
b. Apply counselling theories for diverse client presentations
c. Articulate the differentiations between counselling theories
d. Critically reflect on counsellor theories of choice and divergence from own theoretical frames of reference
Learning and Teaching Process:
The workload for this unit is 10 hours per week.
Level: 100 level core
Credit points: 6
Prerequisites:
- COUN1211 Professional Reflection and Self-Care
- COUN1221 Mental Health and Wellness
- MULT1025 Professions and Society
Unit Description:
This unit introduces students to the principles of ethical-informed trauma counselling. Students learn to identify a range of traumatic triggers and indicators of trauma responses relevant for individuals of diverse backgrounds. Assessment tools for trauma related presentations are outlined and contemporary evidence-based and practice-based approaches to specific populations in response to trauma informed practice are analysed. Vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue are discussed as students critically reflect on potential impacts of working with trauma on the self of the counsellor.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
a. Outline the principles of ethical-informed trauma counselling
b. Identify a range of indicators of trauma responses for individuals of diverse backgrounds
c. Outline assessment tools for trauma related presentations
d. Analyse contemporary evidence-based and practice-based approaches to trauma informed practice
e. Critically reflect on the impacts of working with trauma on the self of the counsellor
Learning and Teaching Process:
The workload for this unit is 10 hours per week.
Download Course Guide
Pathways for future study
Graduates of the Diploma of Counselling Skills can utilise these skills to enhance their current occupation. Completion of the course can also be a pathway to further learning, such as credit towards the Bachelor of Counselling. Please discuss credit for recognition of prior learning with an ACAP team member prior to enrolment.