Pastoral Counselling Skills

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Abstract

This subject develops professional counselling skills that are relevant to pastoral counselling situations. It includes the establishment of a therapeutic pastoral counselling relationship and environment, the use of counselling microskills within pastoral counselling situations, and professional, ethical and theological issues for pastoral counsellors. Students will be encouraged to develop self-reflective … For more content click the Read More button below.

Syllabus

Introduction to Pastoral Counselling in the Australian contextEstablishing a pastoral counselling relationshipSelf awareness, utilisation of self and self-reflective process within pastoral counsellingCounselling microskills including joining and listening, reflection of content and emotion, use of questions, summarising, reframing, reflection, challenge, and normalising.A basic model of pastoral counselling interventionFirst contact and creating … For more content click the Read More button below.

Introduction to Pastoral Counselling in the Australian context
Establishing a pastoral counselling relationship
Self awareness, utilisation of self and self-reflective process within pastoral counselling
Counselling microskills including joining and listening, reflection of content and emotion, use of questions, summarising, reframing, reflection, challenge, and normalising.
A basic model of pastoral counselling intervention
First contact and creating closure in a variety of pastoral counselling settings
Application of pastoral counselling skills
Practical, ethical, professional and theological issues in pastoral counselling

Assessment items

1. Tape and Analysis

2. Participation in Residential School and Forum

3. Journal essay

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

be able to demonstrate use of appropriate communication skills within a pastoral setting;

be able to articulate knowledge of professional, ethical and theological issues relevant to pastoral counselling;

be able to demonstrate the use of counselling microskills in pastoral counselling interventions;

be able to establish a safe pastoral counselling environment and relationship;

be able to set realistic goals for pastoral counselling interventions;

be able to articulate their individual strengths and growth areas as a potential pastoral counsellor; and

be able to reflect on their pastoral counselling work with increasing self awareness.

Learning activities

Mandatory Intensive