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 Psychology
Contacts
Riga, 16 Dzirciema street, vppk@rsu.lv, +37167061587
About Study Course
Objective
At the end of the course, the student is able to analyse and reasonably choose evidence-based psychological counselling approaches and methods for the conceptualisation of the client's biopsychosocial case, taking into account the principles of professional ethics and cultural sensitivity.
Preliminary Knowledge
Clinical and Health Psychology.
Biopsychosocial approach to health and health psychology.
Upon starting the course, the student is able to:
- analyse a psychological case, structuring the information according to the biopsychosocial model;
- interpret data from psychological research and assess the quality of evidence;
- is familiar with the basic principles of professional ethics and is able to apply them to the counselling situation.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Define the basic concepts, goals and principles of the counselling approach
2.Explain the hexaflex model and the concept of psychological flexibility.
3.Define the DBT biopsychosocial model
4.Define the core components of a compassionate approach
5.Describe the use of mindfulness approaches in psychological counseling
Skills
1.Develop a case conceptualization
2.Analyze the use of counseling techniques in the conceptualization of a client's case
3.Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling approaches for specific target groups
Competences
1.Select and justify the most appropriate counselling approaches for a specific client, taking into account cultural sensitivity and ethical principles.
2.Integrate counseling approaches into biopsychosocial case conceptualization.
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Independently created collection of 4 approaches methods |
20.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Summarize and describe counseling methods from the approach learned in the course (compassion-based, dialectical behavior, acceptance and commitment, mindfulness-based). |
||
|
2.
Reflection on 1 method application |
30.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Prepare a written reflection on the application of one technique. |
||
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Final test - test |
50.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
2.
Attendance |
-
|
-
|
|
According to the RSU Academic Regulations ( 2.15., 2.16) attendance of study course classes is mandatory. Justified absences are only those that are registered and agreed with Student Services. Please, familiarize yourself with the procedure, deadlines and more detailed information in the Academic Regulations ( 2,17., 2.20). The student must attend at least 85% of the study course classes. J |
||
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.
Levin, M. E., Twohig, M. P., & Smith, B. M. (2024). An overview of research on acceptance and commitment therapy. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 47(2), 419–431.
Other Information Sources
1.
British Journal of Guidance & Counselling. Research on counseling practice, psychological support, and guidance interventions,Taylor & Francis