Team

Kathryn Broome – Lecturer / Module lead (Introductory Certificate in Counselling)

Dr Bill Naylor – Senior Lecturer/ Programme lead (Single Honours)

Brief Summary

In Semester 1, you will attend campus one day per week (Thursday). Teaching starts at 10am and finishes at 5pm. You will take three classes across the day covering two modules.

The classes are:

Personal and Professional Development -1 hour (Module – Professional Counselling Skills)

Counselling Skills – 2 hours (Module – Professional Counselling Skills)

Counselling Theory – 2 hours (Module – Counselling Theory)

You will find that all teaching is a mixture of formal lecture, group discussion and classroom based activities. There is a strong focus on experiential learning (learning by doing and reflecting).

You will work with three lecturers and a further two Skills Support Tutors. All of the team look forward to meeting you and working with over the first semester.

As well the formal academic and practical learning, you will have the opportunity to discover the range of resources and support that Newman offers (including library, IT and Student Support).

In semester 1, you will also meet with your personal tutor. Their role is to ensure that you are supported in dealing with any obstacles or issues that might be preventing you from succeeding fully on this programme.

Pre-Course Reading/Activities

Pre-course reading

Please do continue your process of wider reading around this subject using the reading list provided. You are encouraged to follow your interests in terms of reading (as there will be plenty of specific directed reading in semester 1).

We will be exploring the Person-Centred Approach (PCA) to counselling in semester 1 and we will be using the following text (amongst others) by Janet Tolan.

Tolan, J. (2012) Skills in person-centred counselling & psychotherapy. 2nd edn. London: SAGE Publications (Skills in counselling & psychotherapy).

Library link to ebook:
https://newman.on.worldcat.org/search/detail/918558771?queryString=ti%3APerson-Centred%20Counselling&stickyFacetsChecked=false&clusterResults=true&groupVariantRecords=false&subformat=Book%3A%3Abook_digital&changedFacet=format

In consideration of what your training journey will entail, the following book by Cathy McQuaid is recommended.

McQuaid, C. (2014) What you really need to know about counselling and psychotherapy training : an essential guide. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis.

Library link to ebook:
https://newman.on.worldcat.org/search/detail/871781961?queryString=What%20is%20counselling%20and%20psychotherapy&stickyFacetsChecked=false&clusterResults=true&groupVariantRecords=false&subformat=Book%3A%3Abook_digital&changedFacet=format&page=2

Pre-course activity

You will be aware that all counselling training places strong emphasis on personal development, reflection on experience and self-awareness. It is likely that you have already done some work on these lines.

Before you join the course, you are invited to write 2000 words (maximum) outlining your life story. It will be called ‘This is who I am today.’

It is likely to include some basic details (where and when you were born etc) but what is more important is formative experiences and key relationships that have contributed to who you are today.

Do be open and include all important influences that have shaped the person you are today. One important theme to consider is how your life experience has led you to choose to become a counsellor.

There is no right or wrong way of doing this. Please be aware that it is NOT assessed and you will not be required to share ANYTHING with other people that you do not feel comfortable about.

However, there will be opportunities to refer to and draw on this document throughout semester 1 and beyond.

Planned Online Meetings

Students are recommended to contact Steve Roberts (s.roberts@newman.ac.uk) with any queries.

Timetable information

Semester 1

Thursdays 10.00 – 13.00 and 14.00 – 17.00

Full details of your individual academic timetable will be available via your university email calendar after you have completed online enrolment and set up your student login.