THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2020/2021

Information in the Degree Programme Tables may still be subject to change in response to Covid-19

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Health in Social Science : Counselling Studies

Postgraduate Course: Counselling Children and Young People (CNST11034)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Health in Social Science CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course provides a comprehensive exploration of the practice of counselling children and young people, as conceptualised within the person-centred approach and psychodynamic perspectives.
Course description Grounded in theoretical understandings of child and adolescent emotional and psychological development, the course examines the therapeutic relationship and process, and the adaptation of approach required, when working with young people. Topics include differentiating developmental and therapeutic needs, the impact of childhood abuse and neglect, understanding and working with family systems, the social and political contexts of therapeutic practice with children and young people, and interdisciplinary practice. A distinctive feature of the course is its focus on non-verbal therapeutic approaches, introducing students to methods and techniques from play, art and drama therapy. Students are required to draw on their own therapeutic work within class sessions. The ethical and confidentiality issues raised by this are discussed in the first session.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2020/21, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  30
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 10, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 10, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 166 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Group project and presentation: 20%

Students taking this course will work in small groups of 4 or 5 to develop and present an evaluation form which is suitable for children and young people to complete during therapy to ascertain whether the therapy is helpful to them. Each group can choose an age range the evaluation form is for. Groups will meet at least twice to work on the form, decide who will undertake any tasks required and how they will present to the class during week 8. The presentation will last 10 minutes, with 10 minutes for discussion. Part of the presentation will include the group¿s reflection upon its own process.

Written assignment: 80% (3000 words)

The assignment is to undertake either (a) or (b) below, dependent on whether you have practice experience of counselling children and young people as a qualified counsellor(answer question A) or if you have work experience with children and young people whereby you apply counselling skills (answer question B). If you do not have experience of either then you can draw on your experience and learning on the course through the skills practices (answer question B). Both questions require you to reflect on and demonstrate your learning on the course including theoretical understanding and the listening skills you practice weekly.

Students who are uncertain of whether their practice experience may be defined as ¿counselling children and young people¿ should consider their practice in the light of learning from the course and with reference to relevant statements about counselling, such as BACP¿s Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy and COSCA¿s Statement of Ethics and Code of Practice. You are also welcome to discuss this matter further with the tutors.


Assignment Question A

Part 1
Critically explore and analyse one of the key themes of counselling practice with children and young people applying your analysis to one (or two) case example(s) from your work in this field. Ground your discussion in relevant theoretical concepts of child and adolescent emotional and psychological development. Take account of significant social and political contexts. Make reference to recent and relevant literature and research. (2000 words)

Part 2
Skills Practice- Reflect on your experience of skills development and your own learning, taking account of your various roles in the triads. Include feedback from both peers and tutors and your own response to feedback received. (1000 words)

Assignment Question B
Part 1
Critically explore and analyse one of the key themes of counselling children and young people applying your analysis to your personal and professional experience in this field. Ground your discussion in relevant theoretical concepts of child and adolescent emotional and psychological development. Take account of significant social and political contexts. Make reference to recent and relevant literature and research. (2000 words)
Part 2
Skills Practice- Reflect on your experience of skills development and your own learning, taking account of your various roles in the triads. Include feedback from both peers and tutors and your own response to feedback received. (1000 words)
Feedback Formative feedback will be given throughout the course by tutors observing student's listening practice.

Summative feedback will be given on the course paper via Learn.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Evidence an advanced understanding of theoretical concepts of child and adolescent emotional and psychological development.
  2. Critically appraise how these theoretical ideas inform the practice of counselling in this field
  3. Identify, analyse and evaluate the distinctive features of counselling practice with children and young people, including the contexts in which this practice takes place
  4. Evaluate and implement non-verbal approaches to therapeutic work with children and young people based on an advanced understanding of their theoretical underpinnings
  5. Conceptualise and analyse key themes in the practice of counselling children and young people with reference to the student - own practice.
Reading List
Hopper, L (2007) Counselling and Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents, Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan

Behr, M and Corneluis-White, J (eds) (2008) Facilitating Young People¿s Development: International Perspectives on Person-Centred Theory and Practice, Ross-On-Wye: PCCS Books, Pages 40-51

Briggs, S (2002) Working with Adolescents: A Contemporary Psychodynamic Approach, Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan

Bryant-Jefferies, R (2004) Counselling Young People: Person-Centred Dialogues, Abingdon: Radcliffe Medical Press

Cattanach, A (1994) Play Therapy: Where the Sky Meets the Underworld. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Geldard, K and Geldard, D (2008) Counselling Children: A Practical Introduction, London: Sage

Kegerreis, S (2010) Psychodynamic counselling with children and young people: an introduction. Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan

Keys, S and Walshaw, T (eds) (2008) Person-Centred Work with Young People: UK Practitioner Perspectives. Ross-on-Wye: PCCS Books

McLaughlin, C and Holliday, C (2014) Therapy with Children and Young People: Integrative Counselling in Schools and Other Settings. London: Sage

Oaklander, V (2006) Hidden Treasures: A Map to the Child¿s Inner Self, London: Karnac

Scalzo, C (2010) Therapy with Children: An Existential Perspective, London: Karnac

Varma, V (1997) Troubles of Children and Adolescents, London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Walker, S (2005) Culturally Competent Therapy: Working with Children and Young People, Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan
Additional Information
Course URL http://www.health.ed.ac.uk/counsellingstudies/cpd/translating.htm
Graduate Attributes and Skills Students completing this course will have enhanced their:
- communication skills, especially in relation to non-verbal communication and communicating in relation to emotions.
- capacity to give and receive feedback.
- Self-awareness and capacity to assess their skills and knowledge.
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserMs Mandy Laing
Tel: (0131 6)50 4697
Email: Mandy.Laing@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Cecilia Malmberg
Tel: (0131 6)50 3890
Email: cecilia.malmberg@ed.ac.uk
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