PY3COS: Counselling Skills and Practice

Module code: PY3COS

Module provider: Psychology; School of Psych and Clin Lang Sci

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Ms Vashnarekha Kumarasuriar, email: v.kumarasuriar@reading.edu.my

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE PY2RMP (Compulsory)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 23 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module is aimed at analysing key theoretical concepts that underpin various counselling approaches, and their application to counselling practice. It focuses on appropriate use of counselling skills using interaction and experiential learning procedures such as role-play. The module aims to promote critical engagement with empirical research in formulating interventions within an ethical and multicultural framework of counselling. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Examine differences in key counselling approaches based on current research 
2. Demonstrate appropriate knowledge of counselling skills and strategies 
3. Design effective intervention plans based on reasoned and evidence-based arguments 
4. Formulate theoretical interventions within an ethical and multicultural framework of counselling 

Module content

Seminars will consist of theoretical approaches in counselling, such as Cognitive Behaviour, Person-centred and behavioural approaches in counselling. The seminars will also focus on application of these approaches within the various context of counselling, including substance use, depression, anxiety, and grief and bereavement. Tutorials will focus on the application of micro skills through guided role-play sessions. Students will gain an overview of the counselling process and context in which counselling takes place. Through role–play and observation sessions, students will have the opportunity to equip themselves with purposeful and effective counselling skills and techniques. Students will develop critical awareness of the strengths and limitations of principal counselling theories and its application. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module comprises 10 2-hour seminars involving lectures and discussions of theoretical case studies; and 10 1-hour workshops of role play sessions.

In addition to the hours listed below, you will be required to complete an additional 40 hours of study, taking the total number of study hours to 240 for this module. This is to comply with the Malaysian Quality Agency (MQA).

Study hours

At least 30 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Students will have the opportunity to prepare and provide the module convenor with a case study plan for comments. Role plays are done during seminars to prepare students for the practical skills assessment. 

Reassessment

Additional costs