CHCCSL006 – Select and Use Counselling Therapies (Part D - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
Overview
This module is designed to extend your knowledge of counselling approaches by outlining the key concepts, techniques, and applications of a widely used approach to counselling – acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
Trigger Warning
This Module may include content that deals with sensitive and emotionally challenging topics. Some of the topics covered in this course may include trauma, abuse, addiction, mental health issues, and relationship difficulties. These topics may evoke strong emotions, memories, or reactions in some learners. It is important to prioritise your own self-care and seek support as needed.
If you feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed, please do not hesitate to reach out to your trainer, student services or a mental health professional for support. The following services may be helpful:
Introduction
Unit overview and outcomes - CHCCSL006 Select and Use Counselling Therapies
SECTION 1: The Key Concepts and Techniques of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
In this topic you will learn about the underpinning principles, core theoretical concepts, and key techniques of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). An understanding of this information is required to enable you to be able to effectively implement ACT techniques and approaches in your own counselling work.
SECTION 2: Applying Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
In this topic you will learn more about the key considerations and practices of applying ACT to counselling. By the end of this section, you will have learned how to apply an ACT approach to address client issues and facilitate change.
SECTION 3: Apply and Extend Your Knowledge
This topic brings together the four counselling approaches – person-centred, CBT, solution-focused, and ACT – discussed in this and the previous Study Guides. You will also learn about accessing credible sources to maintain and enhance knowledge of these therapies.
Unit Title
CHCCSL006 – Select and Use Counselling Therapies
Unit Purpose
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to select and use different counselling therapies to meet client needs.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this unit; however, this unit is split over four Modules: Introduction to Counselling Theories, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
You must complete all four modules and their associated assessment tasks to complete this unit.
Content
Section 1: The key concepts and techniques of acceptance and commitment therapy
Section 2: Applying acceptance and commitment therapy
Section 3: Apply and extend your knowledge
Resources/Readings
Readings A – G are located at the end of this module.
Suggested Hours
Although everyone will work at their own pace, we suggest you allow approximately 70 hours to complete this unit competently, including seminars, tutorials, assignments and any practical activities.
Time Frame
The recommended time frame for this unit is 4 weeks.
Assessment
This unit will be assessed by completing the CHCCSL006 Assessments.
Upon completion of this unit, you should be able to:
| Element | Performance Criteria |
|---|---|
| 1. Select counselling therapies |
1.1. Analyse client needs, issues and desired changes to be addressed 1.2. Incorporate analysis of client’s developmental status and response to change 1.3. Identify and consider co-existing issues in selecting courses of action 1.4. Interpret information about counselling therapies and determine their application, benefits and limitations in addressing client’s needs, issues and goals 1.5. Identify and response to own level of comfort and issues in relation to using identified counselling techniques 1.6. Select most appropriate counselling therapies in identified situations 1.7. Communicate details of therapies to be used with client using language the client understands and document in client records |
| 2. Use counselling therapies |
2.1 Use techniques according to the principles and application of selected therapies to assist clients 2.2 Combine techniques and processes from different therapies in an effective way 2.3 Use counselling skills appropriately in the context of each counselling modality and technique 2.4 Identify indicators of client issues requiring referral and report or refer according to organisational requirements |
| 3. Evaluate use of counselling therapies |
3.1 Evaluate use of techniques and therapies in the context of individual clients 3.2 Reflect on and review own role as counsellor and identify areas for future improvement 3.3 maintain and enhance knowledge of emerging trends in use of counselling therapies |
Knowledge Evidence
The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:
- Legal and ethical considerations for counselling therapies, and how these are applied in organisations and individual practice:
- codes of conduct/practice
- discrimination
- duty of care
- human rights
- mandatory reporting
- practitioner/client boundaries
- privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
- records management
- rights and responsibilities of workers, employers and clients
- work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations
- work health and safety
- issues and concerns with which clients may present, their characteristics and the types of counselling therapies that may be used in response, including:
- anxiety
- family issues
- grief and loss
- parenting
- pregnancy
- relationship
- self-esteem
- social isolation
- stress management
- features of at least five (5) counselling therapies (including CBT) including their:
- historical development
- terminology
- underpinning concepts and principles
- processes used in applications
- benefits and limitations for different clients
- roles of counsellor and client
- how different therapies may be combined to address particular needs
- indicators of client’s issues requiring referral
- credible sources of information on counselling therapies and trends
Performance Evidence
The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:
- provided counselling to at least three (3) different clients, cumulatively using at least three (3) different counselling therapies, one of which must be cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- provided counselling services, within scope of own role, addressing at least four (4) of the following issues:
- anxiety
- family issues
- grief and loss
- parenting
- pregnancy
- relationship
- self-esteem
- social isolation
- stress management
