Foundation Degree (FdSc) Counselling Theory

This course is delivered at our University Centre (UCCL) at the Rhos-on-Sea campus, which provides degree-level students with bespoke teaching and learning facilities. The Centre is equipped with state-of-the-art lecture theatres, seminar rooms, specialist library resources, IT facilities and study areas.

Year 1 Level 4 Modules*

Professional Development
This module will enable you to extend your knowledge and skills relating to practice, developing reflexivity, enhanced confidence and decision-making skills. You will be encouraged to develop autonomy and personal responsibility within your professional role and for your personal development to enable you to make a positive contribution to the lives of individuals, their learning, development and wellbeing.

Fundamental Counselling Skills
This module aims to develop your communication and interpersonal skills. You will be given opportunities to develop a range of counselling skills as well as skills in self-awareness and self-assessment. You will be introduced to a structured approach to learning,to develop helping skills.

Humanistic Counselling
This module will enable you to understand the key aspects of Humanistic theory and its approach to counselling. The module will provide a sound theoretical understanding of the person-centred approach in terms of developmental theory and therapeutic process and skills. In addition, there will be guided discussions that seek to explore the theories’ main assumptions. It will form the basis of exploration of clients’ and own experiences.

Inclusive Counselling
The aim of this module is to increase your understanding of inclusion within the Counselling profession. This module aims to create a learning environment that embraces inclusivity and promotes equal access to support individuals from various backgrounds. The purpose of the module is to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to effectively engage with clients from diverse populations through understanding legislations and policies, and applying these to practise.

Introduction to Counselling
This module will enable you to understand what counselling is and what the role of the therapist is whilst exploring the experience of the client. You will gain an understanding of what the therapeutic process looks like from both the perspective of a client and a counsellor. Essential psychological principles that underpin key counselling theories will be explored.

Introduction to Research and Study Skills
This module aims to develop your study skills, enabling the production of sound academic writing, the introduction of critical thought and basic research skills. The module enables you to develop skills in academic writing, using academic conventions, information research, reflection and the management and organisation of academic work.

Professional Practice and Ethics
This module will allow you to work through the BACP Ethical Framework to gain the knowledge and understanding of the main principles within the counselling profession. As well as conceptually understanding the ethical framework, you will also use this knowledge as part of your practical-based module when practising counselling skills with other students prior to seeing clients.

*For those who have studied and been awarded a Level 4 in Counselling we can RPL all of Level 4 so that you enter the programme directly at Level 5.

Year 2 Level 5 Modules

Advancing Counselling Skills
The module is designed to provide you with advanced counselling skills and to elevate your practice to a level of enhanced therapeutic proficiency. Through advanced training, you will develop a deeper understanding of diverse therapeutic modalities, allowing you to tailor interventions to the unique needs of each client.

Advanced Research and Learning
The module will enable you to apply a range of research skills appropriate to the appropriate subject discipline of study. It will require you to demonstrate enhanced skills in academic writing and information research and to apply a range of valid research methodologies and instruments. You will also develop an understanding of ethics and learn how to give consideration to the importance of ethics in research. In addition, the module will focus on the construction of convincing arguments through the application of valid research, analysis and evaluation.

Attachment and Adversity
The aim of the module is to provide an awareness of attachment and adversity which are significant concepts in the field of counselling, particularly in the context of understanding an individual's emotional and psychological well-being. You will address adversity which involves helping clients explore the impact of past or current challenges on their well-being, identifying coping strategies, and fostering resilience.

Mental Health and Wellbeing
This module will raise your awareness of common life events and obstacles to well-being and enhance your knowledge of some of the most common mental health disorders. You will be able to recognise important characteristics of mental health concerns as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, Fifth Edition (DSM-5; 2013) (reference will also be made to the ICD-10) and respond appropriately, safely and ethically. You will be introduced to mental health assessments that may be carried out by counsellors, and enhance therapeutic interventions and skills to support clients experiencing specific psychological distress during counselling sessions.

Personal Development Group
This module will encourage you to reflect internally to develop personal awareness, facilitate personal growth and self acceptance through engaging and interacting in process group sessions. You will relate theoretical ideas and concepts to their own personal development; addressing personal development issues which may inhibit the ability to work effectively with clients and developing and enhancing their self-reflective capacity.

Psychodynamic Counselling
The module will introduce you to psychodynamic theories and practices of counselling and consider possible ways of safely and ethically integrating skills and techniques into your current work with clients. The module will facilitate the understanding and resolution of underlying conflicts, motivations, and emotions that influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Offer interpretations and insights into clients' thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, helping them gain deeper understanding and awareness.

Working Across the Lifespan
The aim of this module is to provide you with foundational knowledge of various theories of developmental psychology relating to human development across the lifespan ranging from childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Consideration will also be given to contemporary issues relating to human development. You will develop an understanding of your own development across the lifespan as well as being able to recognise that of clients accessing counselling.