Program Objectives
This program provides a comprehensive range of training in core and functional areas of counselling, with emphasis on both knowledge acquisition and practice, and its applicability in the Singapore context. At the postgraduate diploma level, individuals further extends their counselling training in the field of school counselling. On completion, individuals will have the knowledge and skills to provide counselling for a broad area of social services and in schools.

Education pathways
Individuals progress from diploma to postgraduate diploma upon completion of each level. Individuals who complete the advanced diploma can proceed to the Postgraduate Diploma in School Counselling or apply for our other programs-BSc Counselling Psychology or BA Social Sciences (Counselling) or BA Counselling & Management.

Assessments
By assignments, individual and group projects, and fieldwork.

Diploma in Practical Counselling Skills
Month 1 & 2 Counselling Practice
Month 3 & 4 Counselling Tools and Techniques
Month 5 Alcohol and Other Drugs Counselling
Month 6 Grief and Trauma Counselling
Month 7 Family Relationship Counselling
Month 8 Ethical Issues for Counsellors
Fieldwork 1 (80 hours)

Counselling Practice
In part 1, individuals learn and practice the appropriate skills to establish their own counselling role and identity; to develop a professional counselling relationship; to structure and manage the counselling process; to apply key counselling skills; to assist clients in setting goals and facilitate change; and to become self-reflective within the counselling role. Individuals engage in a process of reflection and self-examination to develop their skills and monitor their counselling behaviour. This module provides the foundation for further specialised counselling skill development.
In part 2, individuals develop further understanding of the theory and practice of counselling and counselling terminology; learn how to establish a counselling contract; to conduct the initial counselling session; to manage and maintain a client case load and the importance and necessity of supervision. Counselling Skills is linked with Methods of Counselling and together, the modules provide a solid theoretical and practical foundation for counselling

Counselling Tools and Techniques
In part 1, the individuals learn to develop a critical understanding and appreciation of the main approaches used in counselling and the why and how of their use. The development of a solid ethical framework based on a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of counselling theory and practice is central to this module. This module and Counselling Methods 2 provide an intensive and thorough foundation in counselling theory and practice.
In part 2, individuals will have opportunities to integrate their preferred method of counselling and to deepen their understanding of the theory and practice of major counselling approaches. Individuals study the phenomenological orientation and how its philosophy underlies several counselling approaches, Person-Centred Therapy, Gestalt therapy, Systemic Therapy, Group Therapy, Structural, Strategic and Feminist Approaches, Milan and Experiential Approaches, Narrative Therapy, Brief Therapy and many others approaches are explored, studied and experienced.

Alcohol and Other Drugs Counselling
This program addresses the fundamental concepts and issues necessary to gain a basic understanding of drug/alcohol counselling. Individuals will be able to define chemical dependency and describe the various models of addiction. Criteria for Substance Abuse Disorders will be examined and applied to illustrative case studies. Individuals will also be able to identify and discuss the unique clinical issues involved in treating the rising population. These include: denial and defenses, stages of recovery, relapse and relapse prevention counselling, shame and guilt, co-occurring disorders, effects on the family, intervention, and 12-Step groups. Modalities of treatment and treatment practices will also be discussed. The participants will gain an understanding of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to be an effective counsellor.

Grief and Trauma Counselling
This module introduces individuals to the trauma cycle and an understanding of the associated behaviours that victims of trauma experience. The module covers the physiological and psychological reactions to trauma; critical incident stress debriefing; post-traumatic stress disorder; the effects of trauma caused by disaster; trauma resulting from child abuse and the impact of trauma on children and adolescents.

Family Relationship Counselling
This module provides a conceptual framework together with the application of specific Counselling skills and competencies for working with couples and families in a counselling role. The module builds upon the knowledge and skills acquired in Counselling Practice 1 and 2, and isolate the knowledge, skills and competencies for counselling couples and families. Individuals are expected to integrate skills already acquired with the particular demands of working with couples and families within the counselling role.

Ethical Issues for Counsellors
This module provides an important overview of the counselling profession with an emphasis on the application of ethical and legal processes to current issues. The program will delve into the basics of ethics, values, and morals. In addition, important ethical and legal issues will be analyzed such as: informed consent, confidentiality and privileged communications, records, technology and subpoenas, professionalism and malpractice, resolving legal and ethical issues, codes of ethics and standards of practice. The American Counsellor Code of Ethics will be used as the guide.

All enquiries to:

 

Allianz Associates (S)  Pte Ltd
Local e-mail: training@allianzassoc.com

 

Allianz website: www.allianzassoc.com