Counselling Skills Level Three Unit Two – week 7 Theories and Perspectives in counselling – The Social, Professional and Organisational Context

Session Objectives You will be invited to: Check in and reflect on your experience. Sign the group agreement Hand in your first assignment. Consider the topics and assessment requirements for unit 2 Research and list key features of the counselling provision in Britain. Consider Corey’s Categorization of key counselling approaches Recognise De-brief.

What will we be studying? Historical, cultural and social context of counselling in Britain – general, local and personal perspectives Counselling in different settings – how is counselling provided? The medical model and other influences on theory and practise Role of counselling in relation to client well-being and in the context of national policies. Measuring success/outcomes in counselling Interventions and initiatives ( IAPT, regulation, legislation, ethical frameworks and policies) How counselling is provided in a specific local setting/practise.

Unit 2 Assignment Assignment title : Explore some key issues and challenges faced in the provision of counselling today (part one); and their impact on a specific counselling provider (part 2). (2000 words)

In your assignment you should: (part 1) Identify some of the key ideas, issues and challenges involved in providing counselling in Britain today. Briefly describe the current provision of counselling in Britain, including different theoretical approaches, client issues and delivery. Discuss the role of counselling in relation to client well being; and in the context of national policies

In your assignment you should: part 2 Select one specific organization or setting and describe how counselling is practiced. Briefly discuss the impact of national policies on counselling practice in this setting. Describe one aspect of legislation that impacts on practice in this setting and explain how it impacts. Provide evidence of compliance with legislation, the spirit of legislation or national policies in policy statements (e.g. in leaflets, web-sites, codes of practice) N.B. Helen Fry from Lancaster and Morecambe College will be visiting to talk and to answer questions about their counselling service.

In your assignment you should: General Identify appropriate sources to support your evaluation, both in the text and in a bibliography, using the Harvard system of referencing Present your findings in the form of an essay of approximately 2000 words

Counselling Provision in Britain List: Counselling Theories or Approaches (e.g. Person- centred, Jungian…) Issues which bring people into counselling (e.g. addiction, relationship problems…) How counselling is provided (e.g. by telephone, in groups…) Which organisations/institutions/individuals offer counselling (e.g. NHS, Women’s Aid…)

Philosophical, scientific, political, social ideas which underpin some key counselling approaches. There are many different counselling approaches, each underpinned by one (or more) of a range of philosophical, scientific, political and social ideas. These ideas have a huge impact on the way in which the client issues are perceived and the way in which the counsellor aims to support/help the client. Gerald Corey explores 11 key contemporary counselling approaches and categorizes them into 5 categories: Analytical therapies, experiential and relationship oriented therapies, action therapies, systems perspective therapies and post-modern therapies.

Corey’s Categories Analytical (psychoanalytical, Adlerian) Experiential and Relationship Oriented (existential, person- centred, Gestalt) Action therapies (reality therapy, rational emotive behaviour therapy, cognitive therapy) Systems perspective (feminist counselling, Family therapy) Post-modernist (social constructionism, solution focussed brief therapy, narrative therapy) (See handout on different therapeutic approaches)

Corey’s Case for Integration Gerald Corey argues that, to be effective, a therapy must address three key areas: Thinking Feeling Doing “If any of these dimensions is excluded, then the therapy approach is incomplete” (Corey:10) What do you think? Corey, G. (2005) Theory and practice of Counselling and Psychotherapy 7 th edition. USA: Brooks/Cole N.B. There is a later edition!

Homework Reflection Reflect on your experiences on the course so far. How are you getting on with the group? Which exercises have you enjoyed/not enjoyed What, if anything, have you learned about yourself. Please hand in your reflection next week.