Graduate Certificate of Counselling (Mental Health Counselling)

UniSQ’s Graduate Certificate of Counselling (Mental Health Counselling) will include topics on mental health in Australia, therapeutic interventions, assessment models and psychopharmacology. Gain skills in treatment planning, and a range of approaches to case management and assessment tools.

1. Demonstrate understanding of theories and models fundamental to fields associated with counselling
2. Demonstrate advanced interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
3. Demonstrate ability to apply critical reasoning, judgement and problem solving to a range of professional, legal, and ethical practice issues
4. Consolidate theory and practice within an integrate framework to effectively provide counselling to individuals with mental health difficulties.

Do you aspire to support those suffering with mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression in a counselling setting? UniSQ’s Graduate Certificate of Counselling (Mental Health Counselling) will include topics on mental health in Australia, therapeutic interventions, assessment models and psychopharmacology. Gain skills in treatment planning, and a range of approaches to case management and assessment tools. Our online counselling degree is designed to develop your career within the health, psychology or human services profession. Offered part-time, this degree can alternatively be a professional development opportunity for psychologists and social workers. For those seeking registration as a counsellor, please refer to the Graduate Diploma of Counselling and Master of Counselling degrees.

Recommended study pattern

Year 1 - Semester 1

COU8031 Contexts of Mental Health Counselling

COU8032 Mental Health Practice 1

COU8033 Mental Health Practice 2

Approved Course

Award requirements

Completion of four (4) units as outlined in the Recommended Study Pattern section.

Choose your subjects

Majors

• Alcohol and Drug Studies
• Child, Youth and Family Therapy
• Foundations of Practice
• Mental Health Counselling

Electives

Approved Course List

COU8022 Child and Youth Counselling

COU8006 Group Counselling Process and Practice

COU8014 Relapse Prevention

COU8012 Motivational Interviewing

COU8013 Introduction to Psychoactive Drugs

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $12,280

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

As Australia’s #1 university for graduate starting salary (Good Universities Guide, 2022), University of Southern Queensland is the right place to make real progress. Regardless of your education history, your age or your aspirations, at UniSQ you’ll be inspired by quality learning experiences matched with top resources and research. Having delivered distance and online learning for over 40+ years, UniSQ supports you to learn at your own pace—exactly how it suits you.

Learn more about USQ.

Explore USQ courses.

QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

24

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

25

Completion of an Australian university three-year bachelor degree, or equivalent, in any area.

All students are required to satisfy the applicable English language requirements. For entry to the Graduate Certificate of Counselling (Mental Health Counselling) program, applicants are required to meet the Category 3 English Language Proficiency requirements.

Exemptions/credit will be assessed based on the USQ Credit and Exemption Procedure.

There are mandatory residential schools held at Ipswich, Springfield or Toowoomba campus, and synchronous mandatory online tutorials for:

• COU8006 Group Counselling Process and Practice