This subject requires on campus attendance. Refer to Additional Requirements for more information.
Theoretical Approaches to Counselling
PostgraduateTUA-TAC4022026
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 6 Sept 2026
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Start dates
- 14 Sept 2026
- Price from
- $2,488
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Theoretical Approaches to Counselling
About this subject
By the end of this 12-week subject, you'll be able to:
- Identify and outline the major counselling models and the underpinning theory of each.
- Explain and demonstrate therapeutic change processes and interventions of appropriate counselling models.
- Identify and explain the ethical issues involved in selecting interventions and facilitating change in counselling.
- Analyse and discuss anti- oppressive counselling practices that address diversity and difference. e) Reflect on and consider lived experience and its relation to counselling theory and practice.
- A guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials.
This subject introduces a variety of counselling approaches. Students are required to explore approaches to theories, modalities and practice skills.
Students are introduced to a selection of counselling theories, including:
- Person-centred Therapy, Existential Therapy and Gestalt.
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy and Solution-focused techniques.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Mindfulness based practice.
Students will participate in different experiential learning scenarios to develop their understanding of various counselling interventions. This subject also establishes a firm foundation for the concepts and techniques developed in later subjects.
- Visual Poster: Counselling Models (20%)
- Case Study: Client Interventions (45%)
- Digital Recording: Clinical demonstration and reflection (35%)
- Online students must attend a two day (15 hour) on-campus intensive workshop as part of this subject. Attendance is compulsory. Online students who do not attend will not pass the subject. 15 hours (over 2 days)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
At Torrens University Australia you can tailor your study to suit your lifestyle.
Thanks to their innovative digital learning system you’ll gain the ultimate in flexibility, and still receive personalised guidance from academics and access to work placement, mentorship and internship opportunities. Online you can attend live classes or view recorded sessions, connect with lecturers and fellow students, and access content on-demand 24/7.
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Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Elective
- TUA-COU-GCE-2026 - Graduate Certificate of Counselling
Additional requirements
- Attendance requirements - Online students must attend a two day (15 hour) on-campus intensive workshop as part of this subject. Attendance is compulsory. Online students who do not attend will not pass the subject. 15 hours (over 2 days).
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Graduate Certificate of Counselling
PostgraduateTUA-COU-GCE