Section 3: Apply and Extend Your Knowledge

As repeatedly mentioned in this and the previous modules, counsellors must carefully assess the client’s needs, circumstances, developmental status, and response to change to determine the suitability of the counselling approach(es) used. For one, the approach used may affect the counsellor’s view on human nature and motivation, how they approach the client-counsellor relationship (e.g., the role of counsellor and client), conceptualisation of clients’ issues, techniques they implement and how counselling sessions are structured.

Secondly, some counselling approaches may not be suitable for, or less likely to benefit, clients of certain characteristics. For instance, ACT therapy may not be suitable for clients with deficits in language abilities and cognitive functioning, such as people with severe autism, acquired brain injuries, or other disabilities (Harris, 2019). Conversely, CBT's effectiveness is partly dependent upon the client’s engagement and willingness to complete homework and other activities that promote awareness and behavioural change.

In addition, current research suggests that some therapies may be more effective than others for working with clients experiencing particular issues. As counsellors, you are expected to stay updated with emerging evidence of the approach(es) you practice from and to provide evidence-based practice. Where applicable, you should consider whether and which counselling approach or technique will likely be useful and appropriate for the individual clients’ presenting needs and circumstances.

Remember that the counsellor’s preferred or trained approach may not match the client’s preferences and expectations. Hence, counsellors will need to consider the client’s preferences, such as the outcomes they would like to achieve (e.g., immediate relief or finding out the underlying problem), counselling timeframe they are willing to commit to (e.g., short-term brief therapy), and their ability to engage in counselling. This is why explaining the approach to clients to help them provide informed consent is important regardless of your approach. For example, these four approaches are not likely to meet the expectations of those who want to deeply explore their past/childhood experiences or unconscious thought processes.

The following table briefly summarises key features and applications of the four approaches from the content in previous modules (Note that it may not reflect newly emerged evidence or practice changes in the field since the time of writing).

Typically, the organisation you work in will provide guidelines on the approach you will use with clients. Additionally, many counsellors would practice eclectically as they grow and become more experienced. As such, they must have a clear rationale of why and how they use or combine particular techniques from different approaches.

The evidence base for counselling therapies is ever-changing and continually updated – it is important that you acquire skills and knowledge essential for maintaining and enhancing your knowledge of therapies, which is what we turn to in the remainder of this module.

Check your understanding of the content so far!

You have learned about the importance of researching and critically evaluating information about theories throughout your diploma. Similarly, for counsellors to effectively apply counselling therapies and provide evidence-based counselling, they must put in the effort to keep up-to-date with developments in counselling therapies and their implications for practice. This is also an important ethical obligation as a counsellor to ensure you are competent and complying with best practices, as shown in the ACA Code of Ethics and Practice:

Sourcing Credible Information

A vital step for developing your understanding and skills in counselling therapies is to access credible sources of information. There are plenty of sources available about therapies and techniques. However, not all are considered reliable or credible sources – the critical evaluation skills that you have learned in CHCCSL005 Apply Learning Theories in Counselling will come in handy to help you determine how much you can rely on each source.

Information about counselling therapies can be found in many publications:

• Textbooks. Many general counselling and psychology textbooks include topics of specific traditional and newly emerged therapies and integrated approaches. You may also find books or textbooks, some even from those credited with developing that approach, that specifically discuss the concepts and application of a particular therapeutic approach. A few examples of textbooks that have been referred to in the development of this and previous modules include:
  • Corey, G. (2017). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
  • McLeod, J. (2019). An introduction to counselling and psychotherapy: Theory, research and practice (6th ed.). McGraw Hill.
  • Kennerley, H., Kirk, J., & Westbrook, D. (2017). An introduction to cognitive behaviour therapy skills and applications (3rd ed.). SAGE.
  • Reeves, A. (2018). An introduction to counselling and psychotherapy: From theory to practice (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.
  • Wedding, D. & Corsini, R. J. (2018). Current psychotherapies (11th ed.). Brooks/Cole.
  • Harris, R. (2019). ACT made simple: A quick start guide to ACT basics and beyond (2nd ed.). New Harbinger Publications.
  • Luoma, J. B., Hayes, S. C., & Walser, R. D. (2017). Learning ACT: An acceptance and commitment therapy skills-training manual for therapists (3rd ed.) (pp. 317-319). Context Press.
• Research articles. More specific information and emerging research can be sourced through articles generally published in academic journals dedicated to specific fields of study. Journals that publish articles related to the four therapies discussed include, but are not limited to:
  • Counselling and Psychotherapy Research.
  • Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy.
  • Behavior Therapy and Behaviour Research and Therapy.
  • Journal of Martial and Family Therapy.
• Professional bodies and websites. The websites and magazines of, and training provided by, professional bodies can be valuable sources of information. Professional bodies such as the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) also offer a range of professional development opportunities for counsellors to update and expand their knowledge of counselling therapies and new development in the field. Other approach-specific websites may include:
  • CBT: The Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy (AACBT) is a professional body engaged in research and training in cognitive, cognitive behavioural, and behavioural therapies.
  • ACT: The ACT Mindfully website from Russ Harris provides a range of ACT tools and worksheets and information regarding ACT workshops and PD opportunities within Australia.

Once again, you need to critically consider the quality of the information before engaging with it and while you do so. Let’s revisit a few important questions to ask when reading about counselling therapies (for a thorough review, refer to the relevant module):

• Who are the authors?
• What was the writing and publishing process?
• When was it written?
• Is there a comprehensive reference list of authoritative sources?
• Is it a primary or secondary source?
• What is the author trying to achieve?
• Are the claims supported or contradicted by other authoritative sources?
• Is it appropriately referenced?
• Are there signs of bias in the work?
• Is there enough evidence?

Alternatively, you could always use the acronym “CRAAP” (Blakeslee, 2004) as a quick reminder:

In previous modules, you have learned about four commonly applied counselling approaches - person-centred, CBT, solution-focused, and ACT. The final section of this module brought together the four approaches, focusing on key considerations for counsellors when determining which approach(es) is most suitable for individual clients. It also highlights the importance of maintaining and updating your knowledge of the approach(es) you use with clients. Counsellors must be equipped with considerable research knowledge and skills to access credible sources to help them maintain and enhance counselling practice.

1. Australian Counselling Association. (2019). Code of Ethics and Practice of the Australian Counselling Association.
2. Blakeslee, S. (2004). The CRAAP test. LOEX Quarterly, 31(3)
3. Harris, R. (2019). ACT made simple: A quick start guide to ACT basics and beyond (2nd ed.). New Harbinger Publications.