Introduction to Applied Psychology and Ethics Course

IAP-400 Introduction to Applied Psychology and Ethics

This course in a nutshell:
Discussion Topics: Foundation theories and skills used in the counselling process, formulating a therapeutic alliance, ethical considerations, and characteristics of effective counsellors.
Skills: In this course you learn basic interview and assessment procedures, listening skills, ways to build trust and safety, overcoming client’s resistance, and ethical decision making.

Course Objective : Applied Skill Development

On-line delivery of the Introduction to Applied Psychology and Ethics (IAP-400) course introduces basic concepts and professional skills relating to the practice of counselling. The information presented in this introductory course will form a foundation for subsequent courses that you’ll complete as you proceed through the Diploma program.

In addition to discussion of core concepts and skill development, topics covered in this course will include: the range of mental health professions; levels of education required; and employment opportunities for entry-level counsellors. Students will learn the characteristics that make for an effective counselor; what differentiates a counselling session from general conversation and how to establish a therapeutic relationship.

COURSE CONTENT

Topics covered will include:

1. Characteristics of an effective counsellor.

2. Ethical guidelines.

3. Membership in a professional association.

4. Limits of scope of practice.

5. Counter-transference, self care and need for supervision.

6. Usual and customary standards of counselling practice.

7. Assessment procedures.

8. Stages of the counselling process.

9. Building a therapeutic relationship.

10. Identifying defense mechanisms.

11. Overview of major theoretical models.

12. Introductory skills for crisis intervention, grief counselling, communication and couples counselling.

PORTFOLIO OF JOB SKILLS

What you will learn:

Introduction to Applied Psychology and Ethics course will teach you basic counseling skills used by entry level counsellors. Your level of proficiency and competence with the skills introduced in this course will deepen as you proceed through the program. Upon graduation from the Diploma or Certificate program, you may include the following list of skills in your Profession Portfolio:

– understand the ethical and clinical importance of conducting a clinical assessment

– understand the clinical purpose for each category and question on the assessment

– the ability to use reflective listening and empathy to build trust

– the ability to deepen the therapeutic relationship

– the ability to use interview skills to conduct the assessment

– the ability to implement ethical decision making

– the ability to establish and maintain therapeutic boundaries

– the ability to facilitate communication skills for individuals and couples

– the ability to facilitate problem solving to facilitate conflict resolution

– the ability to build therapeutic alliance, establish trust, deal with resistance

– the ability to use counseling techniques to facilitate uncomplicated grief

-the ability to maintain confidentiality within ethical limits, and follow ethical guidelines.

(NOTE: The skill set you will learn in this course comprises areas of core competence required for the practice of professional counselling.)