CO101E: Counselling Skills 1 & 2: Listening, Responding & Therapy Models

CO101E: COUNSELLING SKILLS 1 & 2: LISTENING, RESPONDING & THERAPY MODELS (2024-2025)

Last modified: 20 Jun 2025 15:06

Course Overview

This course comprises an immersive online training in counselling skills, including the ability to form and developing a helping relationship, the deployment of key counselling skills and the understanding of a range of theories of therapeutic change.

Course Details

Study Type	Undergraduate	Level	1
Term	First Term	Credit Points	30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus	Aberdeen	Sustained Study	No
Co-ordinators	Dr Kate Smith

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)
Either Programme Level 1 or Programme Level 2

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

Course Description

During the Immersive Counselling Skills 1 and 2 course, students will develop skills and knowledge including:

Ability to explain the difference between formal counselling and the use of a counselling approach (embedded counselling).
Effective listening and people skills that will benefit personal and work relationships, such as active listening attending and responding.
Self-awareness and a better ability to reflect, enabling more effective interventions.
Knowledge of the theory that validates the effectiveness of counselling skills.
Understanding of the ethical framework required in all supporting relationships and identifying the complexities in the meaning of confidentiality when using counselling skills.
Ability to explore some of the main concepts for counselling
Introduce participants to some of the basic concepts of the pluralistic perspective
Review and expand the examination of some of the main concepts of the cognitive behavioural perspectives as used within a counselling approach
Introduce some of the basic concepts of the psychodynamic perspective
Developing an understanding of how personal experiences impact listening and responding
Ability to work within appropriate professional boundaries
Introduce some of the basic concepts of attachment theory
Develop self-awareness by allowing each individual to test his/her view of self against the views which others have of him/her

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers

Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 21st September 2026 for Term 1 and Full Year courses and 8th January 2027 for Term 2 courses.

Summative Assessments

Portfolio

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	40
Assessment Weeks	18	Feedback Weeks	21	Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	A portfolio of evidence for engagement in the teaching sessions, practice learning and personal development. Written feedback will be provided.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Conceptual	Apply	Be able to explain and demonstrate the qualities and skills which are important in the process of creating a helping relationship, including acceptance, genuineness and empathy
Conceptual	Understand	Be able to explain the difference between formal counselling and embedded counselling
Procedural	Evaluate	Use appropriate professional boundaries and show an understanding of the impact of boundary violations and power in a helping relationship
Procedural	Understand	Show understanding and ability to use basic listening and responding skills within different settings
Reflection	Evaluate	Be able to describe the essential connection between effective use of self-awareness in helping relationships
Reflection	Understand	Show understanding of the basic concepts of the pluralistic, person-centred, cognitive behavioural, and psychodynamic perspectives in therapy

Essay

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	30
Assessment Weeks	18	Feedback Weeks	21	Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	Essay requiring the student to compare and contrast the different approaches covered in the module reflecting on personality development and counselling process theory. Written feedback will be provided.	Word Count	2000

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Conceptual	Apply	Be able to explain and demonstrate the qualities and skills which are important in the process of creating a helping relationship, including acceptance, genuineness and empathy
Reflection	Evaluate	Be able to describe the essential connection between effective use of self-awareness in helping relationships
Reflection	Understand	Show understanding of the basic concepts of the pluralistic, person-centred, cognitive behavioural, and psychodynamic perspectives in therapy

Essay

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	30
Assessment Weeks	11	Feedback Weeks	14	Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	Essay based on the theory of basic counselling skills and the helping relationship. Written feedback will be provided.	Word Count	2000

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Conceptual	Apply	Be able to explain and demonstrate the qualities and skills which are important in the process of creating a helping relationship, including acceptance, genuineness and empathy
Conceptual	Understand	Be able to explain the difference between formal counselling and embedded counselling
Procedural	Evaluate	Use appropriate professional boundaries and show an understanding of the impact of boundary violations and power in a helping relationship
Procedural	Understand	Show understanding and ability to use basic listening and responding skills within different settings
Reflection	Evaluate	Be able to describe the essential connection between effective use of self-awareness in helping relationships

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Resubmission of failed elements

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	100
Assessment Weeks		Feedback Weeks		Look up Week Numbers
Feedback

Learning Outcomes

Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on or with the Course Coordinator
Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Procedural	Evaluate	Use appropriate professional boundaries and show an understanding of the impact of boundary violations and power in a helping relationship
Reflection	Evaluate	Be able to describe the essential connection between effective use of self-awareness in helping relationships
Procedural	Understand	Show understanding and ability to use basic listening and responding skills within different settings
Conceptual	Understand	Be able to explain the difference between formal counselling and embedded counselling
Reflection	Understand	Show understanding of the basic concepts of the pluralistic, person-centred, cognitive behavioural, and psychodynamic perspectives in therapy
Conceptual	Apply	Be able to explain and demonstrate the qualities and skills which are important in the process of creating a helping relationship, including acceptance, genuineness and empathy

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