Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Short-Term Counselling
Course Code
VPUPK_180
Branch of Science
General Psychology; Psychology
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Psychology
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Zane Gulbe
Structure Unit Manager
Kristīne Mārtinsone
Structural Unit
Department of Psychology
Contacts
Riga, 5 J. Asara Street, vppk@rsu.lv, +37167061587
About Study Course
Objective
To develop the Master’s student’s knowledge, skills and competence about the short-term counselling process in working with different client groups and patient groups in the healthcare environment, to develop the ability to formulate a short-term counselling plan for different clients and different patients in different clinical settings, to acquire and improve skills in managing the psychological counselling.
Preliminary Knowledge
General Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Biological Foundation of Psyche, Psychophysiology, Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology, Pathopsychology, Psychological Counselling.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.The student theoretically explains the specifics of the process, limitations, peculiarities of the organisation of short-term counselling. Names and describes the methods / techniques used in short-term counselling. Describes the structure of short-term counselling approach oriented on problem-solving and solution. Characterises and describes the advantages of different methods in certain phases of short-term counselling.
Skills
1.Provides short-term counselling of individuals, groups or organisations using scientifically based methods. Establishes a contact with the client / patient for commencing the short-term counselling process. Formulates the goal of short-term counselling and draws up a counselling plan according to the specific situation and client / patient needs. Depending on the counselling goals set for the client / patient, selects and applies the most suitable short-term counselling techniques. Carries out short-term counselling. Provides feedback to the client / patient regarding the short-term counselling carried out. Concludes the short-term counselling process.
Competences
1.Using the knowledge acquired, formulates the goal of short-term counselling according to the specific situation and client / patient needs. Develops a counselling plan and selects suitable methods and techniques for short-term counselling. Organises and manages the short-term psychological counselling process (case studies). Checks the compliance of the selected short-term counselling strategy with the psychological counselling process. Evaluates the short-term counselling process.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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|---|---|---|
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1.
Individual work |
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10 points
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Lecture attendance and active work in classes, learning and applying various short-term counselling techniques in practice (30%) independent work - to analyse in writing one of the cases developed in a small group where the Master has been in the role of consultant and has applied solution-focused and problem-oriented short-term counselling after the given plan (40%) final test on understanding the basic concepts of short-term counselling and principles of application (30%) |
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2.
Important about attending classes |
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In accordance with the rules of Procedure of the study process of Rīga Stradiņš University - attendance of classes is mandatory. If it is not possible to attend the class for justified reasons, the head of the study course, mg. psych. lect, shall be informed thereof. Zane Gulbe and lecturer mg. psych. Marina Brice to negotiate a rerun of the class. If 50% of the class volume is delayed, the completion of the study course shall not be included. |
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Examination
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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|---|---|---|
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1.
Examination |
-
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10 points
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1. Attendance of lectures and active work in classes, learning and applying various short-term counselling techniques in practice (30%). 2. Independent work (to analyse in writing one of the cases, which was developed in a small group, where the master student has been in the role of a consultant and applied solution-focused and problem-solving short-term counselling according to the given plan (40%). Explains in writing the basic principles of short-term psychological counselling, problem-solving and solution-oriented short-term counselling structure, short-term counselling techniques / methods. Requirements: Successfully completes the written test. In a small group, perform a case analysis based on theory, develop a short-term counseling plan, present the results of the group work and demonstrate the use of one technique / method in a role play. Requirements: 1) Orally present the results of the group work: • Client problem. • Purpose of short-term counselling. • Justification of the chosen methods. 2) Role play demonstration. 3) Self-reflection. To analyse in writing one of the cases, which was developed in a small group, where the student has been in the role of a consultant and applied short-term counselling (with prior agreement and consent from the student in the role of the client) according to the given plan: Requirements: 1) Basic information about the customer. 2) Description of the situation. 3) Determining and formulating the client's current problem. 4) Generating solutions, "brainstorming". 5) Decision making and evaluation. 6) Development and implementation of an action plan. 7) Assessment of whether the purpose of the consultation has been achieved. 8) Analyse what has been done and note what could have been improved in this consultation process. To analyse in writing one of the cases, which was developed in a small group, where the student has been in the role of a consultant and applied short-term counselling focused on the solution (with prior agreement and consent from the student in the role of the client) according to the given plan: Requirements: 1) Basic information about the customer. 2) Description of the situation. 3) Identification and formulation of the client`s/patient's current problem. 4) What techniques were used to justify their choice. 5) Evaluation of the solution. 6) Assess whether the goal of counseling has been achieved. 7) Analyse what has been done and note what could have been improved in this consultation process. 3. Test on understanding the basic concepts of short-term counselling (30%). |
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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History and development of short-term psychological counselling. Basic principles of short-term counselling (specifics, limitations, organisational features) and structure (approaches oriented on problem-solving and solution). Application of evidence-based short-term counselling in health care, review of effectiveness.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Establishing contact with the client and the factors influencing it. Client / patient evaluation and hypothesis formulation. Setting goals for short-term psychological counselling and planning the work process for different groups of clients / patients. Integration of short-term counselling goals in the work of a multidisciplinary team, cooperation with other specialists. Ethical issues.
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Developing client contact, patient evaluation and goal setting skills through case studies and role plays. Solution-focused listening. Promotion of motivation.
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Developing client contact, patient evaluation and goal setting skills through case studies and role plays. Solution-focused listening. Promotion of motivation.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Short-term counselling techniques / methods. Solution-focused approach: miracle questions, evaluation questions, questions about exceptions, questions about overcoming and a conversation without problems. Approach oriented on problem-solving: brainstorming, evaluation of the solution, development of an action plan.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Short-term counselling techniques / methods. Solution-focused approach: miracle questions, evaluation questions, questions about exceptions, questions about overcoming and a conversation without problems. Approach oriented on problem-solving: brainstorming, evaluation of the solution, development of an action plan.
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Acquisition of practical skills of short-term counselling techniques and methods through case analysis and role plays. Role play demonstration, difficulty analysis, discussion.
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
|
Auditorium
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2
|
Topics
|
Acquisition of practical skills of short-term counselling techniques and methods through case analysis and role plays. Role play demonstration, difficulty analysis, discussion.
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-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
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2
|
Topics
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Acquisition of practical skills of short-term counselling techniques and methods through case analysis and role plays. Role play demonstration, difficulty analysis, discussion.
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Conclusion of short-term counselling. Promoting change between and after sessions.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Evaluation of the results of short-term psychological counselling and development of recommendations, their recording in medical documents.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Evaluation of the results of short-term psychological counselling and development of recommendations, their recording in medical documents.
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Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
24 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Rippe, J. M. (Ed.). (2024). Lifestyle Medicine and Health Behavior Change (2nd ed.). CRC Press.
2.
Ogden, J. (2024). Health Psychology: A Textbook (8th ed.). Open University Press / McGraw-Hill Education.
3.
French, D. P., Vedhara, K., Kaptein, A. A., & Weinman, J. (Eds.). (2024). Health Psychology (3rd ed.). BPS Blackwell / Wiley.
4.
World Health Organization. (2024). Global Framework for Digital Health Interventions and Behavioral Science. World Health Organization.
5.
Hagger, M. S., & Hamilton, K. (2025). Health Behavior Change: Integrating Theory, Evidence, and Practice (2nd ed.). Routledge.
6.
European Federation of Psychologists' Associations (EFPA). (2024). EuroPsy Professional and Ethical Standards for Digital Psychological Services. EFPA.
Additional Reading
1.
Aleksandrowicz, D. R., & Aleksandrowicz, A. O. (Eds.). (2022). Countertransference in perspective: The double-edged sword of the patient-therapist emotional relationship. Liverpool University Press.
2.
Michie, S., West, R., & Thomas, J. (2024). Digital behaviour change interventions in health psychology: Theoretical frameworks and implementation standard updates. Health Psychology Review, 18(1), 45–62.
3.
Taylor, S. E., & Stanton, A. L. (2024). Health Psychology (12th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
4.
Hamilton, K., & Hagger, M. S. (2025). Advances in health psychology: Integrating multi-level theories to promote sustainable health behavior change. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 59(2), 112–128.
5.
American Psychological Association. (2024). APA Clinical Practice Guideline for Digital Therapeutics and Telepsychology in Health Care. APA.
6.
Sniehotta, F. F., & Presseau, J. (2024). Translating health psychology interventions into primary care settings: Challenges and solutions. British Journal of Health Psychology, 29(3), 512–530.
Other Information Sources
1.
International Journal of Solution-Focused Practices
2.
Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings
3.
Brief. The Centre for Solution Focused Practice
5.
European Health Psychology Society (EHPS). (2025). EHPS Resource Hub: Digital health tools, behavior change taxonomies, and evidence-based practice guidelines. EHPS.
6.
National Institutes of Health (NIH). (2024). Behavioral and Social Sciences Research in Digital Health: Policy and Best Practices. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
7.
World Health Organization. (2025). Digital Mental Health Interventions: Implementation Guidance for Health Systems. World Health Organization.
8.
Cochrane Public Health. (2024). Systematic Reviews on Digital and Telehealth Interventions for Health Behavior Change. Cochrane Collaboration.