Module 1. The Counselling Session
Topic 1: Prepare for a counselling session
Topic 2: Identify the various stages of a counselling session
Topic 3: Commence a counselling session
Topic 4: Close a counselling session
Topic 5: Understand the benefits of focussing on the present
Topic 6: Encourage the client to express their feelings
Topic 7: Identify the skills of a good communicator
Topic 8: Recognise common problems in counselling and how to avoid them

Module 2. Telephone Counselling
Topic 1: Understand the advantages and disadvantages of telephone counselling
Topic 2: Identify the various stages of telephone counselling
Topic 3: Understand required skills for telephone counselling
Topic 4: Identify ways of dealing with problem callers

Module 3. Conflict Management
Topic 1: Identify key conflict management techniques
Topic 2: Understand the various stages of listening
Topic 3: Negotiate in an effective manner
Topic 4: Understand the mediation process
Topic 5: Address power imbalances
Topic 6: Understand the role of workshops and group work in developing conflict management skills

Module 4. Crises Counselling
Topic 1: Assess the best way to respond to a crisis
Topic 2: Identify the principles of crisis intervention
Topic 3: Identify key ethical standards for counsellors
Topic 4: Recognise crisis relating to developmental stages of life
Topic 5: Refine post traumatic stress disorder and its symptoms
Topic 6: Identify the effects of violence and sexual assault
Topic 7: Identify the effects of crisis and drug addiction
Topic 8: Identify the effects of family crisis
Topic 9: Provide some examples of the effect of cultural differences on crisis response

Module 5. Managing Aggression
Topic 1: Identify the effects of anger
Topic 2: Recognise chronic and acute stress
Topic 3: Explain various ways to deal with client anger
Topic 4: Demonstrate required skills for telephone counselling

Module 6. Handling Depression
Topic 1: Define depression
Topic 2: Understand various types of depression
Topic 3: Identify symptoms of depression
Topic 4: Understand some key treatments for depression

Module 7. Grief and Loss Counselling
Topic 1: Evaluate and discuss client’s choices
Topic 2: Understand and discuss client ability to overcome psychological blocks
Topic 3: Understand the process of facilitation to find solutions

Module 8. Relationship Counselling
Topic 1: Review effective ways to close a counselling session
Topic 2: Review the need for further meetings
Topic 3: Identify and understand dependency
Topic 4: Review how to deal with chronic callers
Topic 5: Review a case study