COUN681-23X1 (O) Special non-calendar-based One 2023 (Off Campus)

Solution-focused theory and skills with individuals and groups

30 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 6 March 2023
End Date: Sunday, 12 November 2023
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 19 March 2023
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 10 September 2023

Description

Solution-focused therapy is a strengths-based model that emphasises clients' natural resources and successful experiences to help them bring about change and a shift toward their preferred future. The primary purpose of this course is to introduce you to the theory, skills and tools of solution-focused brief therapy. You will examine social constructionism, the theoretical perspective that accounts for shifts in clients' perceptions and definitions and enables them to work towards building a more favourable future. You will also have the opportunity to engage with what it is like to think and act in a solution-focused manner. The emphasis will be on providing a balance of theory and practice to assist you to gain knowledge and confidence in working with individuals, and co-leading groups integrating a solution focused approach with principles of social justice, bicultural and multicultural counselling.

Learning Outcomes

  • Students will display evidence of understanding the social constructionist underpinning of the counselling/therapy relationship and interaction with diverse individuals and groups through completion of a literature review and in counselling practice.
  • Students will explore and reflect on the nature of the counselling interaction in terms of the diverse participants involved, their needs, meaning-making, expectations and desires.
  • Students will demonstrate effective use and reflective critique of solution-focused counselling practice with diverse individuals and groups.
  • Students will apply and reflect on principles of social justice, bicultural and multicultural counselling in groupwork.
    • University Graduate Attributes

      This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

      Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

      Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

      Employable, innovative and enterprising

      Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

      Biculturally competent and confident

      Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.

      Globally aware

      Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.

Prerequisites

Subject to approval of the Head of School

Restrictions

COUN678; COUN679

Course Coordinator

Shanee Barraclough

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Literature Review 15 May 2023 30% Thematic review of solution-focused counselling/therapy.
Solution-focused video 26 Jun 2023 35% Recorded interview with class member and feedback from a reflective team. Self-reflective critique.
Group co-leadership exercise and reflective critique 26 Sep 2023 35% Co-leadership group exercise facilitated with members of the class. Written Plan including review of literature used to inform topic and planning. Reflexive critique of experience and learning. Practical due 11/12 September. Written assignment due two weeks later.

Textbooks / Resources

There are two texts required for this course:

Hanton, P. (2011). Skills in solution focused brief counselling & psychotherapy.
London: Sage.

Sharry, John (2007) Solution-focused groupwork. (2nd Ed); London: SAGE.

Additional readings will be provided on LEARN and in class.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $2,159.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

Minimum enrolments

This course will not be offered if fewer than 9 people apply to enrol.

For further information see School of Health Sciences .

All COUN681 Occurrences

  • COUN681-23X (C) General non-calendar-based 2023 - Not Offered
  • COUN681-23W (C) Whole Year 2023
  • COUN681-23X1 (O) Special non-calendar-based One 2023 (Off Campus)