Counselling Skills (Foundational) – July 2023
July 12, 2023 @ 8:30 am - July 13, 2023 @ 4:00 pm
This two-day introductory course is aimed at individuals who are either: 1) currently working in a role assisting growth and development in others and would like to further develop their skills, or, 2) interested in learning more about counselling and potentially looking to take the first step towards a new career.
In this program, participants will learn the core counselling skills required to become effective in assisting clients to build strengths and resilience, and strategies for positive change. Through hands-on exercises and supported role-plays, students will experience and get to apply the knowledge, processes and core skills required to become an effective ethical counsellor.
Participants may wish to build on the foundations developed in this workshop, and enrol in our Counselling Skills (Intermediate) professional development and training opportunity.
Please note, this course does not qualify participants to work in a professional setting as a counsellor.
Learning Objectives
Via a mix of group learning, role-plays, exercises and education sessions, following the completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Recognise the similarities and differences between counselling and coaching
- Understand how to foster psychological safety for clients
- Demonstrate core principles of a person-centred therapeutic alliance
- Demonstrate active listening skills
- Develop awareness of client non-verbal communication
- Apply a range of questions including ‘scale ruler’ questions
- Understand the difference between reflecting content and reflecting emotions
- Demonstrate paraphrasing, summarising and ‘check-ins’
- Understand the principles and process of caringly challenging clients
- Consider self-awareness in the counselling process.
Depending on the needs and counselling experience of the group members, the above learning objectives may be modified accordingly.
Our Trainers
Julie Porter-Stephens, VET and Short Courses Trainer
Julie is a Teacher, Counsellor, and Training Facilitator who has worked with children, adults and families at risk in the community services sector since 1987. She has worked for community, government, and peak organisations.
As an academic and trainer, Julie is interested in facilitating high quality learning experiences via a range of learning and teaching methods – whether it be face to face or online. Julie encourages participants to connect their experiences and knowledge with the training content, and she is passionate about promoting good practice and self-care, particularly in the areas of case management, child protection, communication, counselling, mental health and trauma informed care.
As a counsellor Julie works with individuals and groups on a wide range of issues including addiction, anxiety, depression, grief, inter-personal relationships and parenting. She is a trained Acceptance Commitment Therapy Practitioner (which incorporates aspects of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness), but essentially relies on an eclectic range of therapeutic approaches to encourage client growth and change.
Important Information
Please note, this course is subject to receiving a minimum number of enrolments and conditional to Government restrictions implemented at the time of the course. In the case we are unable to deliver the course face-to-face, the event will be transferred to online delivery instead. Those who do not wish to attend online may otherwise choose to reschedule to an alternative course date, or receive a full refund of the course minus any platform ticketing fees.
Ticket Options
To request an invoice to be sent to you, please type “invoice” into the promotional code section on page two of the event enrolment form.
Our programs attract a 10% concession for health care card holders, pensioners, people receiving benefits. Those applying for concessions must provide a copy (photo evidence is accepted) of their social security card or health care card together with their application, via email to [email protected].
By purchasing a ticket, you are confirming to have read and agreed to the Enrolment Terms and Conditions set by The Cairnmillar Institute.