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THL433 Pastoral Counselling: Mental Health and Trauma (8)

Abstract

This subject is an introduction to working with mental health and trauma clients within pastoral settings. Building on the foundations of  THL400 and THL420 it includes an understanding of theory and assessment in mental health work; theological and spiritual perspectives on mental health and trauma; and appropriate skills for counselling in these contexts. Students will develop knowledge and skills in dealing with mental health issues, trauma, stress and anger, domestic violence, addictions, appropriate ethical and self-reflective practice, and referral processes.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Location

Session 1
Online*Canberra Campus
*This subject offering contains a residential school. Please view following information for further details.
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: THL433
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration Grading System School:
One sessionHD/FLSchool of Theology

Enrolment restrictions

Enrolment restricted to students currently enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Pastoral Counselling, Master of Pastoral Counselling, Master of Pastoral Counselling (Clinical) and Master of Ministry
Prerequisite(s)
THL400 and THL420

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to demonstrate an ability to assess people with cognitive, emotional, behavioural and spiritual difficulties who present in pastoral settings
  • be able to articulate assessment processes
  • be able to articulate knowledge of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety
  • be able to demonstrate critical application of appropriate interventions for people with a variety of presentations, including mental health issues, trauma, domestic violence and addictions
  • be able to demonstrate a knowledge of community resources within their own particular geographical settings together with the ability to refer appropriately
  • be able to self-reflect on their own pastoral counselling practice and skills
  • be able to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of and response to professional and ethical issues arising in pastoral counselling settings

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:
  • Assessment processes in pastoral counselling
  • The whole person - cognitive, emotional, behavioural and spiritual - a pastoral counselling response
  • Mental Health and trauma issues
  • Pastoral Counselling beyond crisis intervention
  • Counselling interventions for mental health and trauma issues, and working with childhood trauma
  • Emotional regulation for anger and fear
  • Referral - finding resources within the local community
  • Self-reflective practice
  • Professional and ethical issues

Residential School

This subject contains a compulsory 4 day residential school. The compulsory residential school for this subject enables students to reflect on their pastoral counselling skills and practice and provides a supervision process. It will involve counselling practice, experiential exercises, supervision of students' counselling and discussion of relevant theoretical and theological concepts.

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The information contained in the 2017 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 25 August 2017. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.