Talking Therapies and Brief Interventions

Talking therapies help people understand and work through personal problems, with the aim of making positive changes to their thinking, feelings, behaviour, relationship, physical and emotional well-being. They cover a broad range of interventions including counselling, family therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing and other psychotherapies.

People may seek talking therapy at various stages in their lives. They may be facing new challenges, may have been diagnosed with a mental health issue, or simply need extra support during a difficult time. Talking therapies can help with anxiety, depression, anger, grief, mental health problems, relationship problems, personal development, sexual abuse, family violence, alcohol/drug/smoking/gambling issues, bullying, divorce, obsessive compulsive disorders, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress, self-harming, chronic illness, communication and behavioural issues that affect children, young people and whānau and self-management of health conditions. Talking therapies are based on trust and open communication, working together with clients to empower them to solve problems and adopt new perspectives and practices that will help them make positive changes in their lives.

UC offers a package of postgraduate courses that combine the latest research, practices and techniques applicable to talking therapies. The listed courses can be studied individually as professional development as part of a Certificate of Proficiency or as one of our Postgraduate Qualifications.

They are a mix of block and on-campus courses.

• COUN681 Solution Focused Theory and Skills with Individuals and Groups
• COUN682 Focused Acceptance and Commitment Theory (FACT) 
• HLTH430 Motivating Behaviour Change I
• PSYC442 Clinical Practice Guidelines and Introduction to Cognitive Behaviour Assessment
• PSYC443 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Case Conceptualisation and Intervention
• PSYC447 Frontiers of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy II

To enrol in a talking therapies course or study pathway you must meet the entry requirements for each course and or qualification, including enrolment in postgraduate certificate or diploma where necessary.

Select here to view our courses

The listed courses can be studied individually as professional development as part of a Certificate of Proficiency or are an ideal pathway to postgraduate qualifications.

• Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences
• Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies
• Master of Counselling
• Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences
• Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (Taha Hinengaro Health and Wellbeing Practice) for Health Improvement Practitioners
• Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy