Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Psychological Counselling Approaches and Methods
Course Code
VPUPK_445
Branch of Science
Psychology
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Psychology
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Ilona Krone
Structure Unit Manager
Kristīne Mārtinsone
Structural Unit
Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy
Contacts
Riga, 16 Dzirciema street, vppk@rsu.lv, +37167061587
About Study Course
Objective
Develop students’ understanding of evidence-based psychological counselling approaches and theoretical basics thereof, as well as develop the ability to analyse and evaluate the use of these approaches in problem conceptualization.
Preliminary Knowledge
Clinical and health psychology.
Biopsychosocial approach to health and health psychology.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.1. Defines the basic concepts, objectives and principles of consultation approaches 2. Explains the hexaflex model and the concept of psychological flexibility. 3. Defines the DBT biopsychosocial model 4. Explains DBT skills modules 5. Defines basic components of compassion approach 6. Describes the use of mindfulness approaches in psychological counselling
Skills
1.Developing case conceptualization Analyses the use of consulting techniques in the conceptualization of a client case. evaluates the effectiveness of consulting approaches for specific target groups
Competences
1.1. Selects and justifies the most appropriate advisory approaches for a particular client, taking into account cultural sensitivity, ethical principles. 2. Integrates consultation approaches into the conceptualisation of the biopsychosocial case.
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Independently created collection of 4 approaches methods |
20.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
2.
Reflection on 1 method application |
30.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Final test - test |
50.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Historical overview of consultation approaches
Description
Overview of context of compassion-based, dialectical behaviours, acceptance and commitment approaches, mindfulness practices |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
2. Theory and basic concepts of the compassion-based approach
Description
A theory of compassion for oneself. Concepts of compassion, self-esteem and pity. Review of efficacy studies. Methods of the compassion-based approach |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
3. Dialectical behavioural approach
Description
Dialectical biosocial theory. A collection of four skills modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal efficiency. Review of efficacy studies. Approach methods |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
4. Acceptance and commitment approach
Description
Theoretical basis of the approach to acceptance and commitment. Hexaflex model and concept of psychological flexibility. Metaphor analysis. Determination of cognitive techniques, values. Overview of efficacy studies |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
5. Basic concepts of mindfulness
Description
Basic elements of mindfulness. An overview of the applicability of mindfulness-based approaches to consultation practices. Review of efficacy studies. Basic techniques |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
.6. Creative counselling methods
Description
on the use of imagination and Creative techniques in psychological counselling |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Historical overview of consultation approaches
Description
Overview of context of compassion-based, dialectical behaviours, acceptance and commitment approaches, mindfulness practices |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
2. Theory and basic concepts of the compassion-based approach
Description
A theory of compassion for oneself. Concepts of compassion, self-esteem and pity. Review of efficacy studies. Methods of the compassion-based approach |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
3. Dialectical behavioural approach
Description
Dialectical biosocial theory. A collection of four skills modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal efficiency. Review of efficacy studies. Approach methods |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
4. Acceptance and commitment approach
Description
Theoretical basis of the approach to acceptance and commitment. Hexaflex model and concept of psychological flexibility. Metaphor analysis. Determination of cognitive techniques, values. Overview of efficacy studies |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
5. Basic concepts of mindfulness
Description
Basic elements of mindfulness. An overview of the applicability of mindfulness-based approaches to consultation practices. Review of efficacy studies. Basic techniques |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
.6. Creative counselling methods
Description
on the use of imagination and Creative techniques in psychological counselling |
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
24 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Stauffer, M. D., & Capuzzi, D. (2022). Counseling and Psychotherapy: Theories and Interventions.Willey
2.
Li, W. W., Griffith, G. M., Shapiro, S., & Zhu, Z. (Eds.). (2025). The Palgrave Handbook of Third-Wave Psychotherapies. Palgrave Macmillan.
3.
Bite, I., Mārtinsone, K., & Sudraba, V. (Sast.). (2016). Konsultēšanas un psihoterapijas teorija un prakse. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC.
Additional Reading
1.
Finlay-Jones, A., Bluth, K., & Neff, K. (Eds.). (2023). Handbook of self-compassion. Springer Nature.
2.
Linehan, M. M. (2015). DBT Skills Training Manual (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.
3.
Tirch, D., Schoendorff, B., & Silberstein, L. R. (2014). The ACT practitioner's guide to the science of compassion: Tools for fostering psychological flexibility. New Harbinger Publications
Other Information Sources
1.
British Journal of Guidance & Counselling. Research on counseling practice, psychological support, and guidance interventions,Taylor & Francis