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Study online with University of Tasmania through Open Universities Australia. Explore all degrees, subjects and short courses now.

By successfully completing this Mental Health Open Degree Pathway, you can gain entry into the following courses:•     Diploma of Counselling with the University of Tasmania•     Bachelor of Psychological Science with the University of Tasmania•     Bachelor of Dementia Care with the University of Tasmania

Are you ever-curious and compassionate? A future in mental health is yours for the taking. This set of subjects are available without entry requirements. If completed successfully, it can set you on the path for a variety of qualifications in mental health.

Mental Health Open Degree Pathway

In this program you will develop knowledge and skills in counselling, together with an understanding of the ethical, legal and professional issues in relation to the practice of counselling required for employment in a range of counselling roles.You will also develop an understanding of the social, cultural and developmental context in which counselling occurs and of a range of therapeutic approaches and appropriate to a range of client ages, needs and circumstances. This program also aims to provide professional development opportunities for people working in counselling roles, including addiction services, family and relationships and trauma.

Study the fundamentals of counselling before diving into specialty topics such as relationship, substance use and rehabilitation therapies. Hone your practical skills so that you can work in a variety of social work and community care professions.

Graduate Diploma in Counselling

In this program you will develop foundational knowledge and skills in counselling, together with an understanding of the ethical, legal and professional issues in relation to the practice of counselling required for employment in a range of counselling roles.You will also develop an understanding of the social, cultural and developmental context in which counselling occurs and a range of therapeutic approaches appropriate to a range of client ages, needs and circumstances. The program also aims to provide professional development opportunities for people working in counselling roles.

Pursue a rewarding career as a counsellor using a range of therapeutic approaches. Understand the ethics of your profession and how to address trauma with clients. Then put your skills to the test during role-play scenarios.

Graduate Certificate of Counselling

The Diploma of Counselling is an introductory program that provides graduates with the skillset to understand human behaviour.Students explore a range of topics including mental health, the impact of chronic health conditions on quality of life, foundational mental health intervention skills, and applied counselling skills. Studies will focus on adopting healthy thoughts and behaviours as part of a self-care approach, introducing you to a range of skills to manage stress and enhance well-being of yourself and others through lifestyle, mindfulness, and positive psychology.Students undertake the Diploma of Counselling for a variety of reasons, as a complimentary skillset to support their existing career, people managers looking to support their staff, and to build understanding in mental health to support self and others.If you are interested in further study, you can progress with credit into the Bachelor of Psychological Science to continue your journey in the study of psychology and counselling.Alternatively, if you are interested in becoming a qualified counsellor you will need to complete the Graduate Diploma of Counselling where you’ll be eligible to register with the Australian Counselling Association.

Gain an introduction to a range of topics including mental health, the impact of chronic health conditions on quality of life, mental health first aid, and applied counselling skills.

Diploma of Counselling

Counselling Concepts

Counselling Fundamentals

Stress, Self-Care and Mindfulness

Contemporary Approaches in Counselling

In this online subject, you will learn about a range of approaches to managing stress and enhancing well-being which can be applied by individuals in a self-care context. As a foundation, you will learn about stress and coping, well-being and happiness. This content includes different theories and models used in psychology to explain these concepts.Then you will explore the theory, scholarly evidence base, and practice of a range of self-care approaches, grouped into three themes:<ol><li>Lifestyle (healthy eating, physical activity, sleep, relaxation, social connections, and nature engagement)</li><li>Mindfulness (everyday/informal mindfulness, formal mindfulness and meditation, compassion and self-compassion) and</li><li>Positive Psychology (gratitude, acts of kindness, character strengths, meaning in life, flow and creativity).</li></ol>You will learn how to think critically regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the self-care approaches covered.Throughout the subject, there is a focus on understanding the mechanisms of action of these approaches (how they “work”). These mechanisms could be psychological (e.g., relating to mental activities like attention and emotion regulation) and/or biological (e.g., relating to physiological activity in the nervous system and/or endocrine system). In each weekly online module, content is presented in text and video formats, along with interactive online learning activities and additional scholarly readings. In practical activities and assessments, you will discuss, apply, and reflect on the techniques discussed in the subject content.

Learn how lifestyle, mindfulness, and positive psychology can enhance wellbeing. You’ll explore psychological theories behind stress and happiness. Help people to cope with life’s challenges. Promote and practice self-care.

This subject provides an overview of foundational counselling concepts, theories, and skills. In this subject you will be introduced to the main theoretical perspectives and values that underlie counselling practices. You will learn to apply counselling microskills that underpin effective communication in counselling practice. The importance of ethics, critical thinking, and evaluating evidence in counselling are also a key focus in this subject. Completion of this subject does not qualify you to practice counselling, however, it will provide you with a foundation for further study in this area.

An online counselling course that offers an overview. You’ll explore counselling skills and theories that form the foundation of professional practice. Lock in the counselling basics and get ready for advanced counselling courses.

This subject provides you with an introduction to studies in addictive behaviours in preparation for employment in the areas of alcohol and other substance counselling, treatment and prevention. It provides an overview of models of treatment and prevention of addictive behaviours with an emphasis on substance use disorders and behavioural addictions, such as gambling. Policy options and approaches to drug education and harm reduction are also introduced.

Addictive Behaviours

This subject focuses on the application of contemporary counselling theories and interventions that both enhance wellbeing through proactive prevention approaches, as well as remediate distress. The process and role of self-reflection in counselling practice is also a key focus in this subject. Students will learn about a range of counselling practices that can be implemented to support the health and wellbeing of others and themselves, and how self-reflection skills can support evidence-based, lifelong learning approaches to human health and wellbeing.

This subject focuses on the issues and challenges, both in theory and practice, of working with clients in the context of their intimate personal relationships. Students will have the opportunity to develop their thinking and skills in working systemically with more than one person. Introductory material will provide a framework for thinking about relationships and family of origin and will introduce students to various theoretical approaches to working with families and couples. This subject will emphasise the development of skills associated with working with families and couples facing particular challenges and problems through exploring practical counselling interventions.

Relationship Counselling

In this subject students will explore issues related to counselling with children and adolescents. Consideration is given to developmental issues, attachment, disorders of childhood and adolescence, chronic illness and disability. Strategies for intervention will also be addressed including engaging children in therapy and the therapeutic needs of children and adolescents facing specific problems. Child protection issues will also be explored. This subject is designed to equip students with basic knowledge with regard to child and adolescent functioning and practical skills for the delivery of child and adolescent counselling models.

Working with Children and Young People

This subject provides an introduction to the theory and practice as a consultant working in rehabilitation counselling. Topics covered include case management, as well as vocational, medical and forensic rehabilitation. Organisational structures and the individual experience are examined. The acquisition of information and practical skills is emphasised, providing competencies for students to enhance their overall learning, with a view to securing appropriate and relevant employment.

Rehabilitation Counselling

This subject explores current thinking and strategies around dealing with issues of adjustment to change. That change includes changes involving loss, grief and trauma. Death and bereavement will be addressed including dealing with grief as a natural process and with more complicated grief. Non-death losses are also addressed such as divorce, unemployment, disability, chronic illness, infertility, and aging. The second half of the subject will also look at the serious change that trauma can bring - common trauma responses, post-traumatic stress, large scale trauma such as natural disasters, and some models for effective treatment of trauma.

Adjustment To Change

In this subject participants develop and clarify their awareness and thinking around ethical and practice dilemmas within professional counselling practice. Emphasis will be placed on the development of personal standards of practice and on the acquisition and application of decision-making processes. Contemporary counselling practice obligations and issues such as the demands of maintaining competence and quality assurance; working as a counsellor within diverse settings and with diverse populations and the provision of consultancy will be addressed. Ethical thinking, codes of practice for counsellors and rehabilitation counsellors and approaches to applying these codes to actual practice dilemmas will be explored, with particular attention paid to current and developing areas of ethical challenge.

Professional Ethics and Practice

In this subject you will learn to apply advanced counselling skills, including working with a range of client presentations and intervention strategies. You will gain skills and knowledge to help you navigate the stages of therapy, beginning with the intake interview. This subject will challenge you to extend your foundational knowledge and skills to more specific and advanced approaches to counselling, including how to tailor your approach to the specific needs of different client presentations. You will also work to deepen your reflective practice as you engage in more complex counselling interactions.

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