Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description

Individual Counselling

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
VPUPK_295
Branch of Science
Psychology
ECTS
6.00
Target Audience
Psychology
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Structure Unit Manager
Structural Unit
Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy
Contacts

Riga, 5 J. Asara Street, vppk@rsu.lv, +37167061587

About Study Course

Objective

To provide an opportunity to acquire in-depth knowledge of individual counselling approaches its structure and a range of potential problems, and to develop individual counselling skills observing ethical principles (the skill to establish contact with the client, to initiate psychological counselling process; the skill to identify client needs and problems to plan the further professional activity; ability to agree with the client on the goals and conditions of psychological counselling; the ability to establish a psychological counselling strategy in accordance with the intended purpose of counselling; the skills to conduct psychological counselling; the ability to evaluate the result of the psychological counselling; the ability to provide feedback to the client on the psychological counselling).

Preliminary Knowledge

General psychology, developmental psychology, personality psychology, clinical psychology, psychological assessment, psychological counselling.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Students list and describe the techniques of psychological counselling; they have good knowledge of the process, structure, and basic principles of psychological counselling. Students describe the basic principles of how to establish contact with a client, to find out the client's needs and problems in order to plan their future professional activities, and describe how to agree with the client on the goals of counselling. Students describe the basic principles of how to conduct psychological counselling and evaluate the result, as well as how to give the client feedback about the psychological counselling. Students describe the specific nature, functions, and limitations of the work of a counselling psychologist in different professional environments.

Skills

1.Students have good knowledge of techniques of psychological counselling, they are able to use them appropriately. Students establish contact with the client to initiate the psychological counselling process and identify the client's needs and problems to plan their future professional activities, as well as agree with the client on the goals and conditions of counselling and develop a counselling strategy according to the stated goal. Students analyse the situation of the client. They are able to evaluate and define psychological problems, distinguish between the problems of different character, as well as to search the ways for problem solution depending on the particular situation and possibilities of the particular client. Conduct psychological counselling and evaluate the result, as well as provide feedback to the client on the psychological counselling.

Competences

1.Students independently evaluate and formulate the psychological problems; they find the ways to solve the problem depending on the particular situation and possibilities of the client, while observing the code of ethics and develop the strategy and the plan for psychological counselling.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Individual work

-
-
1. Intervision in groups - in the roles of consultant, client and supervisor. 2. Independent literature studies on latest research in the field of counselling. 3. Case analysis – a report and a presentation on the practical work.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Examination

-
-
Intervision case analyses
2.

Examination

-
-
In order to receive an assessment, students must send feedback on the progress of the course. 1. Intervision counseling phase and counseling skills assessment protocols (40%): 1.1. Establishing relationships and defining consulting goals; 1.2. Customer research - determination of personality, cognitive characteristics and lifestyle; 1.3. Interpretation, confrontation and encouragement phase; 1.4. Reorientation and closure phase and identification of client resources. 2. Case analysis – evaluation and description of the client's psychological problem, individual psychological counseling strategies, plan analysis (30%): 2. 1. The student describes one case, analyzes the course of counseling in four phases and the results; 2.2. The student prepares a presentation (Power Point) about the counseling case; 2.3. The student presents the case and answers clarifying questions about the course of the consultation. 3. Theoretical analysis of the case (30%). 3.1 The student performs a theoretical analysis of the case and formulates the client's psychological problem, justifies the counseling strategy and plan by referring to literature sources; 3. 2. The student prepares the work in writing (Word or PDF) and submits it in the form of a case description.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Goals and tasks of individual counseling. Counseling process. Phases of individual counseling. Counseling skills.
Description
Annotation: Goals and tasks of individual counseling. Counseling process. Phases of individual counseling. Counseling skills. Topics covered during the class: How is counseling different from psychotherapy? How do we define a psychological problem? What is the role of psychological counseling in the context of human psychological problems? Literature: Conference: 47th Annual Rudolf Dreikurs Summer InstituteAt: University of Kent, Canterbury, England. Richard E. WattsRichard E. Watts. Effective Interventions for Helping Clients in Brief Adlerian Therapy.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Goals and tasks of individual counseling. Counseling process. Phases of individual counseling. Counseling skills.
Description
Annotation: Goals and tasks of individual counseling. Counseling process. Phases of individual counseling. Counseling skills. Topics covered during the class: How is counseling different from psychotherapy? How do we define a psychological problem? What is the role of psychological counseling in the context of human psychological problems? Literature: Conference: 47th Annual Rudolf Dreikurs Summer InstituteAt: University of Kent, Canterbury, England. Richard E. WattsRichard E. Watts. Effective Interventions for Helping Clients in Brief Adlerian Therapy.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Goals and tasks of individual counseling. Counseling process. Phases of individual counseling. Counseling skills.
Description
Annotation: Goals and tasks of individual counseling. Counseling process. Phases of individual counseling. Counseling skills. Topics covered during the class: How is counseling different from psychotherapy? How do we define a psychological problem? What is the role of psychological counseling in the context of human psychological problems? Literature: Conference: 47th Annual Rudolf Dreikurs Summer InstituteAt: University of Kent, Canterbury, England. Richard E. WattsRichard E. Watts. Effective Interventions for Helping Clients in Brief Adlerian Therapy.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Goals and tasks of individual counseling. Counseling process. Phases of individual counseling. Counseling skills.
Description
Annotation: Goals and tasks of individual counseling. Counseling process. Phases of individual counseling. Counseling skills. Topics covered during the class: How is counseling different from psychotherapy? How do we define a psychological problem? What is the role of psychological counseling in the context of human psychological problems? Literature: Conference: 47th Annual Rudolf Dreikurs Summer InstituteAt: University of Kent, Canterbury, England. Richard E. WattsRichard E. Watts. Effective Interventions for Helping Clients in Brief Adlerian Therapy.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Relationship building phase. Defining the problem and setting counselling goals. Starting the counselling process. Creation of agreement and cooperation plan.
Description
Annotation: This lesson will examine issues related to the relationship building phase of counseling. Defining the problem and setting counselling goals. Starting the counselling process. Creation of agreement and cooperation plan. Topics covered during the class: How do we initiate contact with the client? What should be said at the first meeting with the client? What questions help clarify the purpose of counseling? How do we conclude a contract with a client? Literature: The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center 301 Engaging Clients from a Strength-Based, SolutionFocused Perspective
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Relationship building phase. Defining the problem and setting counselling goals. Starting the counselling process. Creation of agreement and cooperation plan.
Description
Annotation: This lesson will examine issues related to the relationship building phase of counseling. Defining the problem and setting counselling goals. Starting the counselling process. Creation of agreement and cooperation plan. Topics covered during the class: How do we initiate contact with the client? What should be said at the first meeting with the client? What questions help clarify the purpose of counseling? How do we conclude a contract with a client? Literature: The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center 301 Engaging Clients from a Strength-Based, SolutionFocused Perspective
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Relationship building phase. Defining the problem and setting counselling goals. Starting the counselling process. Creation of agreement and cooperation plan.
Description
Annotation: This lesson will examine issues related to the relationship building phase of counseling. Defining the problem and setting counselling goals. Starting the counselling process. Creation of agreement and cooperation plan. Topics covered during the class: How do we initiate contact with the client? What should be said at the first meeting with the client? What questions help clarify the purpose of counseling? How do we conclude a contract with a client? Literature: The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center 301 Engaging Clients from a Strength-Based, SolutionFocused Perspective
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Relationship building phase. Defining the problem and setting counselling goals. Starting the counselling process. Creation of agreement and cooperation plan.
Description
Annotation: This lesson will examine issues related to the relationship building phase of counseling. Defining the problem and setting counselling goals. Starting the counselling process. Creation of agreement and cooperation plan. Topics covered during the class: How do we initiate contact with the client? What should be said at the first meeting with the client? What questions help clarify the purpose of counseling? How do we conclude a contract with a client? Literature: The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center 301 Engaging Clients from a Strength-Based, SolutionFocused Perspective
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Exploratory phase. Customer research and understanding techniques. Defining the psychological problem in the context of the client's personality, cognitive characteristics and lifestyle.
Description
Annotation: This topic will cover all the tasks to be performed by the consultant during the research phase of consulting. Customer research and understanding techniques. Defining the psychological problem in the context of the client's personality, cognitive characteristics and lifestyle. Topics covered during the class: What are customer research techniques? What is the consultant interested in finding out about the client? How and why is the research information needed to solve the problem? Literature: Kevin B. Stoltz and Marty Apodaca. Early Recollections and Career Counseling: Identity, Adaptability, and Meaningful Work. Paper based on a program to be presented at the 2017 American Counseling Association Annual. Conference and Expo, March 16–19, 2017, San Francisco, CA.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Exploratory phase. Customer research and understanding techniques. Defining the psychological problem in the context of the client's personality, cognitive characteristics and lifestyle.
Description
Annotation: This topic will cover all the tasks to be performed by the consultant during the research phase of consulting. Customer research and understanding techniques. Defining the psychological problem in the context of the client's personality, cognitive characteristics and lifestyle. Topics covered during the class: What are customer research techniques? What is the consultant interested in finding out about the client? How and why is the research information needed to solve the problem? Literature: Kevin B. Stoltz and Marty Apodaca. Early Recollections and Career Counseling: Identity, Adaptability, and Meaningful Work. Paper based on a program to be presented at the 2017 American Counseling Association Annual. Conference and Expo, March 16–19, 2017, San Francisco, CA.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Exploratory phase. Customer research and understanding techniques. Defining the psychological problem in the context of the client's personality, cognitive characteristics and lifestyle.
Description
Annotation: This topic will cover all the tasks to be performed by the consultant during the research phase of consulting. Customer research and understanding techniques. Defining the psychological problem in the context of the client's personality, cognitive characteristics and lifestyle. Topics covered during the class: What are customer research techniques? What is the consultant interested in finding out about the client? How and why is the research information needed to solve the problem? Literature: Kevin B. Stoltz and Marty Apodaca. Early Recollections and Career Counseling: Identity, Adaptability, and Meaningful Work. Paper based on a program to be presented at the 2017 American Counseling Association Annual. Conference and Expo, March 16–19, 2017, San Francisco, CA.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Exploratory phase. Customer research and understanding techniques. Defining the psychological problem in the context of the client's personality, cognitive characteristics and lifestyle.
Description
Annotation: This topic will cover all the tasks to be performed by the consultant during the research phase of consulting. Customer research and understanding techniques. Defining the psychological problem in the context of the client's personality, cognitive characteristics and lifestyle. Topics covered during the class: What are customer research techniques? What is the consultant interested in finding out about the client? How and why is the research information needed to solve the problem? Literature: Kevin B. Stoltz and Marty Apodaca. Early Recollections and Career Counseling: Identity, Adaptability, and Meaningful Work. Paper based on a program to be presented at the 2017 American Counseling Association Annual. Conference and Expo, March 16–19, 2017, San Francisco, CA.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Interpretation phase. Objectives, application and techniques of confrontation. Purposes, application and techniques of encouragement.
Description
Annotation: This topic will discuss counseling techniques that help in the interpretation phase to interpret the psychological problem in the context of the client's life. Objectives, application and techniques of confrontation. Purposes, application and techniques of encouragement. Topics covered during the class: What are the goals and objectives of the interpretation phase? What are the interpretation techniques? What is confrontation and when to use it? What is an incentive and when to use it? Literature: Iris Lavon and Rachel Shifron. The Use of Early Recollections in Adlerian Psychotherapy: Evidence in Neuroscience Research. Gaffin center for Neurooncology, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Israel
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Interpretation phase. Objectives, application and techniques of confrontation. Purposes, application and techniques of encouragement.
Description
Annotation: This topic will discuss counseling techniques that help in the interpretation phase to interpret the psychological problem in the context of the client's life. Objectives, application and techniques of confrontation. Purposes, application and techniques of encouragement. Topics covered during the class: What are the goals and objectives of the interpretation phase? What are the interpretation techniques? What is confrontation and when to use it? What is an incentive and when to use it? Literature: Iris Lavon and Rachel Shifron. The Use of Early Recollections in Adlerian Psychotherapy: Evidence in Neuroscience Research. Gaffin center for Neurooncology, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Israel
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Interpretation phase. Objectives, application and techniques of confrontation. Purposes, application and techniques of encouragement.
Description
Annotation: This topic will discuss counseling techniques that help in the interpretation phase to interpret the psychological problem in the context of the client's life. Objectives, application and techniques of confrontation. Purposes, application and techniques of encouragement. Topics covered during the class: What are the goals and objectives of the interpretation phase? What are the interpretation techniques? What is confrontation and when to use it? What is an incentive and when to use it? Literature: Iris Lavon and Rachel Shifron. The Use of Early Recollections in Adlerian Psychotherapy: Evidence in Neuroscience Research. Gaffin center for Neurooncology, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Israel
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Interpretation phase. Objectives, application and techniques of confrontation. Purposes, application and techniques of encouragement.
Description
Annotation: This topic will discuss counseling techniques that help in the interpretation phase to interpret the psychological problem in the context of the client's life. Objectives, application and techniques of confrontation. Purposes, application and techniques of encouragement. Topics covered during the class: What are the goals and objectives of the interpretation phase? What are the interpretation techniques? What is confrontation and when to use it? What is an incentive and when to use it? Literature: Iris Lavon and Rachel Shifron. The Use of Early Recollections in Adlerian Psychotherapy: Evidence in Neuroscience Research. Gaffin center for Neurooncology, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Israel
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Reorientation and closing phase. Reorientation components and techniques. Implementation and implementation of changes in the client's life. Defining and using client resources.
Description
Annotation: This topic will cover the reorientation and closing phase tasks. Reorientation components and techniques. Implementation and implementation of changes in the client's life. Defining and using client resources. Topics covered during the class: What does reorientation mean? What are the tasks of the reorientation phase? What are the final phase tasks? How to identify the client's resources, so that he/she can realize the changes in life obtained in the consultation? Literature: Michael J. Scheel, Chelsi Klentz Davis, and Justin D. Henderson. Therapist Use of Client Strengths: A Qualitative Study of Positive Processes. The Counseling Psychologist XX(X) 1-36, 2012
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Reorientation and closing phase. Reorientation components and techniques. Implementation and implementation of changes in the client's life. Defining and using client resources.
Description
Annotation: This topic will cover the reorientation and closing phase tasks. Reorientation components and techniques. Implementation and implementation of changes in the client's life. Defining and using client resources. Topics covered during the class: What does reorientation mean? What are the tasks of the reorientation phase? What are the final phase tasks? How to identify the client's resources, so that he/she can realize the changes in life obtained in the consultation? Literature: Michael J. Scheel, Chelsi Klentz Davis, and Justin D. Henderson. Therapist Use of Client Strengths: A Qualitative Study of Positive Processes. The Counseling Psychologist XX(X) 1-36, 2012
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Reorientation and closing phase. Reorientation components and techniques. Implementation and implementation of changes in the client's life. Defining and using client resources.
Description
Annotation: This topic will cover the reorientation and closing phase tasks. Reorientation components and techniques. Implementation and implementation of changes in the client's life. Defining and using client resources. Topics covered during the class: What does reorientation mean? What are the tasks of the reorientation phase? What are the final phase tasks? How to identify the client's resources, so that he/she can realize the changes in life obtained in the consultation? Literature: Michael J. Scheel, Chelsi Klentz Davis, and Justin D. Henderson. Therapist Use of Client Strengths: A Qualitative Study of Positive Processes. The Counseling Psychologist XX(X) 1-36, 2012
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Reorientation and closing phase. Reorientation components and techniques. Implementation and implementation of changes in the client's life. Defining and using client resources.
Description
Annotation: This topic will cover the reorientation and closing phase tasks. Reorientation components and techniques. Implementation and implementation of changes in the client's life. Defining and using client resources. Topics covered during the class: What does reorientation mean? What are the tasks of the reorientation phase? What are the final phase tasks? How to identify the client's resources, so that he/she can realize the changes in life obtained in the consultation? Literature: Michael J. Scheel, Chelsi Klentz Davis, and Justin D. Henderson. Therapist Use of Client Strengths: A Qualitative Study of Positive Processes. The Counseling Psychologist XX(X) 1-36, 2012
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Case analysis. Analysis of goals, strategies and outcomes of a counselling case. The theoretical background of the counselling case.
Description
Annotation: This topic will discuss the criteria and tasks for performing a customer case analysis.. Analysis of goals, strategies and outcomes of a counselling case. The theoretical background of the counselling case. Topics covered during the class: How to do a customer case analysis? What should be described in a customer case analysis? How to theoretically justify the progress of the client counseling process? Literature: Jacqueline A. Sparks1 and Barry L. Duncan. Client Strengths and Resources: Helping Clients Draw on What They Already Do Best. Correspondence should be directed to Jacqueline A. Sparks, Ph.D., 2 Lower College Road, Kingston, RI 02881, jsparks@uri.edu.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
2

Topics

Case analysis. Analysis of goals, strategies and outcomes of a counselling case. The theoretical background of the counselling case.
Description
Annotation: This topic will discuss the criteria and tasks for performing a customer case analysis.. Analysis of goals, strategies and outcomes of a counselling case. The theoretical background of the counselling case. Topics covered during the class: How to do a customer case analysis? What should be described in a customer case analysis? How to theoretically justify the progress of the client counseling process? Literature: Jacqueline A. Sparks1 and Barry L. Duncan. Client Strengths and Resources: Helping Clients Draw on What They Already Do Best. Correspondence should be directed to Jacqueline A. Sparks, Ph.D., 2 Lower College Road, Kingston, RI 02881, jsparks@uri.edu.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Case analysis. Analysis of goals, strategies and outcomes of a counselling case. The theoretical background of the counselling case.
Description
Annotation: This topic will discuss the criteria and tasks for performing a customer case analysis.. Analysis of goals, strategies and outcomes of a counselling case. The theoretical background of the counselling case. Topics covered during the class: How to do a customer case analysis? What should be described in a customer case analysis? How to theoretically justify the progress of the client counseling process? Literature: Jacqueline A. Sparks1 and Barry L. Duncan. Client Strengths and Resources: Helping Clients Draw on What They Already Do Best. Correspondence should be directed to Jacqueline A. Sparks, Ph.D., 2 Lower College Road, Kingston, RI 02881, jsparks@uri.edu.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Case analysis. Analysis of goals, strategies and outcomes of a counselling case. The theoretical background of the counselling case.
Description
Annotation: This topic will discuss the criteria and tasks for performing a customer case analysis.. Analysis of goals, strategies and outcomes of a counselling case. The theoretical background of the counselling case. Topics covered during the class: How to do a customer case analysis? What should be described in a customer case analysis? How to theoretically justify the progress of the client counseling process? Literature: Jacqueline A. Sparks1 and Barry L. Duncan. Client Strengths and Resources: Helping Clients Draw on What They Already Do Best. Correspondence should be directed to Jacqueline A. Sparks, Ph.D., 2 Lower College Road, Kingston, RI 02881, jsparks@uri.edu.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
6.00
Contact hours:
48 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Bite, I, Mārtinsone, A. Sudraba, V. (2016). Konsultēšanas un psihoterapijas teorija un prakse. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC

2.

Ļevina J., Mārtinsone K. (2016). Konsultēšana un konsultatīvā psiholoģija. Rīga: RSU.

3.

Jairo N. Fuertes, Arnold Spokane, & Elizabeth Holloway. (2013). Specialty Competencies in Counseling Psychology. Oxford University Press.

4.

McLeod, J., & McLeod, Julia. (2011). Counselling skills : A practical guide for counsellors and the helping professions / John McLeod, Julia McLeod. (2nd ed.). Maidenhead: Open University Press.

5.

Sharf, R.S. (2012). Theories of psychotherapy and counseling: Concepts and cases (5th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Additional Reading

1.

Beck, J. S. (2011). Cognitive behavior therapy: Basics and beyond. 2nd ed. New York: Guilford.

2.

Brown, S. D., & Lent, R. W. (Eds.) (2000). Handbook of counselling psychology (3rd edition). New York: Wiley.

3.

Corey, G. (2009). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. Cengage Lerning.

4.

Kottler, J. A. & Brown, R. W. (2000). Introduction to therapeutic counselling. Wardsworth.

5.

McLeod, J., & British Association for Counselling Psychotherapy. (2010). Case study research in counselling and psychotherapy / John McLeod. Los Angeles ; London: SAGE.

6.

Remley, T., & Herlihy, B. (2010). Ethical, legal, and professional issues in counseling / Theodore P. Remley, Jr., B

Other Information Sources

1.

Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research

2.

European Journal of Psychotherapy & Counseling

3.

Journal of Counseling Psychology