Community-Based Counselling Course I & II ELECTIVE

CBC-400 Community-Based Counselling

This two-part course in a nutshell:

Part I Discussion Topics: This two part course covers the role of the community counsellor in various types of community settings, outreach programs, cultural diversity, special-needs populations, funding, and networking.

Skills: You will learn to identify your managerial strengths which are part of the skill set that will benefit you in finding employment with a mental health agency. Additional job related skills learned in this course include: developing community outreach programs, becoming a “change agent” to influence public policy, advocating for clients, and the application of the community-based counselling theory in an actual agency setting.

Part II Discussion Topics: This two part course covers the role of the community counsellor in various types of community settings, outreach programs, cultural diversity, special-needs populations, funding, and networking.

Course Objective: APPLIED SKILL DEVELOPMENT

The two Community Based Counselling courses have been specifically designed to familiarize you with basic concepts and professional counseling skills with a focus on community and agency needs. Entry-level counsellors often find employment in community-based agencies. This course provides students with an introduction to the role of counsellor as a change agent and advocate in various community settings.

The objective of the Diploma in Applied Psychology program is to prepare entry-level counselors for employment in the dynamic and wide- ranging fields of mental health.

Entry-level counsellors often find employment in community-based agencies. This course provides students with an introduction to the role of counsellor as a change agent and advocate in various community settings. Basic understanding of the role of the community counsellor will include: types of services offered by community agencies; description of the settings in which they are offered, and guidelines for planning and implementing community counselling programs. The Community Counselling Model (known as the RESPECTFUL model) is applied to actual mental health programs in communities of varying population size.

The course will cover four aspects of promoting change and growth within a community:

direct community counselling,
direct client services (outreach),
indirect community services (influencing public policy),
indirect client services (client advocacy).

Multidimensional diversity, cultural and ethical issues will be emphasized.

The course focuses on helping students develop competency through activities that are designed to move from theory to practice.

In order to maximize the scope of services available to clients, students become familiar with, and incorporate relevant services provided through community mental health agencies into their treatment planning.

Competency Standards and Ethical Practice

Students who elect to complete the Diploma of Applied Psychology through distance education will participate in the interactive exercises specified for each course topic. Students will gain additional experience in the context of the student’s supervised, volunteer placement setting, which is a required component of the distance education program.

In order to practice within the usual and accepted standards of care, Professional Counsellors follow a set of ethical guidelines defined by Professional Counselling Associations such as the Canadian Professional Counselling Association. Adherence to a defined set of professional competencies is required in all counselling situations. The following will be considered in counselling, emergency or crisis intervention with all types of clients:

The ethical guidelines pertaining to scope of practice; the necessity and/or appropriate timing of referrals
Counter transference and possible disruption of the client’s therapeutic process; developing peer support and accountability for an ethical and professional practice
Appropriate use of a suicide or no- harm contract.
Knowledge of community resources and ability to assist clients in developing support networks.
The ability to set realistic goals and evaluate the efficacy of treatment.
The ethics and limitations of confidentiality within the therapeutic relationship
Need for the counsellor to safeguard against client causing harm to him/herself, and/or harm to others.
While respecting the ethical requirement for confidentiality within the counselling relationship, counsellors must also be vigilant in recognizing their reporting responsibilities in cases of reported or suspected abuse to children, or elderly persons.
Counsellors maintain professional boundaries through a clearly defined professional relationship when dealing with clients and family members, and others in the community.

PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO OF JOB SKILLS

What you will learn:

The general aim of this course is to provide students with knowledge related to the role of the counsellor as a change agent within community based settings. Students will learn to apply concepts from the Community Counselling Model to techniques used to promote growth, develop outreach programs, for educate the public, influence public policy and advocate for clients. Opportunities will be provided for students to develop intervention plans, which can be applied to a variety of community needs.

Students will gain understanding and skills in the following areas:

Knowledge and understanding of the Community Counselling Model, and the RESPECTFUL model of community intervention.
Knowledge of the impact of multidimensional diversity and cultural issues when working with individual clients and in designing community programs.
Ability to apply the concepts, theories and techniques to actual community based situations.
Ability to assess and document a program’s effectiveness in delivering the types of services needed.
Ability to operate from a strength-based perspective when working with individual clients, in the role of client advocate, and when developing outreach programs.
The importance of adhering to professional ethics and practicing ethical decision-making.
Awareness, knowledge and skills necessary for working in a variety of community-based counselling settings, and when dealing with special populations.
Strategies to foster individual and community empowerment.
Recognition of the need for outreach and prevention programs for vulnerable populations.
Recognition of clinical limitations and the need for supervision, and/or professional consultation, and to implement a self-care plan.