LEARNING OUTCOME: 1. Work safely, legally and ethically as an independent counsellor Assessment criteria Candidate guidance to criteria Portfolio references Reflect on issues relating to establishing and managing an independent practice Explore issues relating to setting up an independent practice. Consider practical aspects including premises, advertising/marketing, insurance, costs/fees, processes for client contact / appointments, record keeping and related systems. Show that you understand how independent practice differs from agency practice. Reflect on these issues in learning review. Prepare counselling information leaflet and action plan for establishing own independent practice. Work within an ethical, legal and professional framework for independent counselling work Explore ethical/legal/professional issues relating to independent practice. Recognise responsibilities to clients, employers, the counselling profession and wider society. Show that you understand how to protect clients physically and clinically and manage risk in a private practice context. Show awareness of relevant legislation in all aspects of client work including respect for human rights. Demonstrate ability to develop and make use of referral routes/other sources of help and/or work collaboratively with other professionals for clients as appropriate. Communicate the personal and professional limitations of your practice. Respond to and manage ethical dilemmas Reflect on the use of an ethical framework to resolve ethical dilemmas relevant to independent practice. Demonstrate ability to an ethical framework to managing ethical dilemmas in client work. Evidence understanding in learning review, case discussion and assignments. Research and access appropriate sources of support Explore what resources you need in to support work as independent counsellor. Show how you connect the need to provide a ‘holding’ environment for your client with your own need for ‘being held’. Demonstrate ability to draw on appropriate support in independent counselling work. LEARNING OUTCOME: 2. Work with complex aspects of the counselling relationship Assessment criteria Candidate guidance to criteria Portfolio references 2.1 Manage the conflicts and demands of working within relational boundaries in independent practice Reflect on the difficulties in managing the boundaries of the counselling relationship in independent practice. Demonstrate your ability to respond appropriately to challenges and conflicts relating to relational boundaries in independent counselling work. Evidence in learning review, case presentations / discussions.
2.2 Use theory and research to work with implicit aspects of the therapeutic relationship Document your recognition of implicit aspects of the process of relating – and relate these to theory and research on relationship factors. Show how you applied your understanding (of implicit aspects of the relationship) to enrich and inform work with clients. 2.3 Work with challenges and difficulties that arise in the therapeutic relationship Give examples to show that you understand the difference between implicit and explicit influences on the boundaries of the relationship. Give examples from case work to illustrate how you managed both implicit and explicit influences on the therapeutic process. Recognise the limits of the counselling relationship and give examples of when referral may be necessary. Give examples of (and reflect on) difficulties encountered in maintaining and working within the therapeutic relationship – e.g. resistance, collusion, recurring behavioural patterns, readiness etc. Manage ruptures and unpredictable problems in the therapeutic relationship. Evidence in case presentations/case reviews. LEARNING OUTCOME: 3. Use theory and research to work with client diversity in independent practice Assessment criteria Candidate guidance to criteria Portfolio references 3.1 Reflect on theory and research on diversity issues and apply insights to counselling work Investigate research on the impact of client diversity on the therapeutic process. Apply theory to understand issues of client diversity. Apply insights (from understanding of client diversity) to enhance work with individual clients. 3.2 Reflect on diverse cultural perceptions of mental health and Compare different cultural attitudes to defining mental health/well Reflect on the impact of such perceptions on individual clients – both from the therapist’s and the client’s perspective. Be of psychopharmacological interventions and possible impact on therapeutic process. 3.3 Work with the social, cultural and biological factors that impact on individual clients Explore own resistance/reluctance to engage with client diversity. Critically reflect how similarity and difference can both help and hinder the of the therapeutic work. Evidence how challenging yourself and working with your own conflicts has increased your ability to work with individual clients. 3.4 Reflect on diversity issues which impact on clients accessing counselling in independent practice Review own independent practice provision in relation to individual client needs. Include issues both at explicit and implicit level. LEARNING OUTCOME: 4. Use a coherent approach to respond to the of individual clients Assessment criteria Candidate guidance to Criteria Portfolio references