5.1 Use counselling theory to understand own personality Reflect on ways in which theories introduced on the course have extended your understanding of yourself. Reflect on one or more theories/ideas which help you to understand your personality more fully. 5.2 Use counselling theory to understand own personal history Reflect on theoretical ideas and concepts which help you to understand your life events and your responses to those events. Apply theory to challenging issues in your formative years and gain awareness of how the past might impact on the present. 5.3 Use counselling theory to understand own relationships Reflect on theories which help you to understand your relationships, both past and present, and the way in which you form, develop, maintain and end those relationships. 5.4 Evidence how self awareness contributes to the ability to empathise with others Reflect on own difficult personal issues in to raise your awareness of the importance of being understood empathically. empathic understanding gained from exploring your self (own internal conflicts and/or difficult life events and/or relationships with others). Show understanding of the relationship between ‘exploring your own difficult issues’ and increasing your ‘ability to empathise with others’. LEARNING OUTCOME: 6. Understand theories of counselling and mental health Assessment criteria Candidate guidance to criteria Portfolio reference Explain why theory is important in counselling work Reflect what is meant by theory. Reflect on the role of theory in counselling work. Explain why counsellors need to take into account theory in counselling work. 6.2 Describe the main theoretical approaches to counselling Develop understanding of the fundamental ideas behind the major theoretical approaches – e.g. psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive, transpersonal etc. Develop your understanding in relation to one or more counselling theories. 6.3 Use counselling theory to understand the client Show how different theories offer a different language and different way of understanding the client’s a) personality/self; b) personal history; c) patterns of relating (see the ). Apply knowledge of theory to a range of presenting problems and client issues. 6.4 Explain the nature of common mental health problems Identify and describe problems which are categorised as Common Mental Health Problems (CMHPs). Offer explanations for the incidence of these problems in society. 6.5 Describe how counselling can promote positive mental health Explore the features of positive mental health. Suggest ways in which counselling might have a positive impact on mental health.
6.6 Explain why research findings are important in counselling work Reflect on what is meant by research findings. Explain why counsellors need to take account of research findings in counselling work. LEARNING OUTCOME: 7. Use feedback, reflection and supervision to support counselling studies Assessment criteria Candidate guidance to criteria Portfolio reference 7.1 Use feedback from others to develop understanding of counselling Identify constructive guidance provided by peers and tutors which has informed your learning. Write about personal and course goals and your thoughts about achieving those goals. Show your ability to plan and reflect. 7.2 Give constructive feedback to other counselling trainees Show your ability to critically evaluate counselling practice sessions. Use feedback sheets to show your ability to give constructive feedback. Show your ability to give verbal feedback to peers at the end of counselling practice sessions. 7.3 Describe the nature and use of clinical supervision Reflect on the insights and understanding gained from case discussion. Identify situations in your limited knowledge and skills were helped and supported by close discussion with your tutor and/or a more experienced counsellor. Show your understanding of the role and importance of supervision. 7.4 Use supervisee skills to contribute to, and learn from, case discussion Record your input into case discussions. Identify questions which help to provide support for a peer during case discussion. Clarify the needs of the client by linking case information to counselling theory. Record your use of insights gained from case discussion. Appendix 2: Completion Statement for CST-L3 Completion statement for Candidate Learning Record Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies (CST-L3) Learning outcome present Y/N Tutor signature if learning outcome has been achieved 1 Prepare to work within an ethical framework for counselling 2 Understand the counselling relationship 3 Understand difference and diversity issues to develop empathic understanding 4 Work within a user-centred approach to counselling