EDF4605 Introduction to counselling psychology
Faculty of Education
EDF4605 Introduction to counselling psychology is a level 4, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Education, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 2 tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before EDF4605
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After EDF4605
No unit lists EDF4605 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
Prerequisite: Successful completion of an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited major sequence in psychology
Corequisite: Enrolment in D0013, D0014, D5002
Overview
This unit introduces you to a range of intervention models and theories used in counselling psychology and the assumptions on which they are based. It examines the foundational principles, key concepts and practical applications of various therapeutic approaches, including psychodynamic therapy, behaviour therapy, person centred therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and family or systems therapy. You will critically analyse how these models inform clinical practice and their effectiveness in different contexts. Through interactive discussions and practice exercises, you will be encouraged to reflect on your own theories of change in relation to the various models. Personal reflection will play a key role in helping you evaluate the strengths and limitations of the different therapies, assess their alignment with your values and beliefs, and refine your emerging counselling style.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Theoretical essay (2000 words or equivalent)Written50%
- Demonstration of counselling micro-skills (2000 words or equivalent)Demonstration50%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
describe the origins of, and relevant current developments in, counselling psychology
- 2
develop the effective use of basic counselling skills
- 3
describe relevant major psychotherapies
- 4
understand the issues concerning efficacy and effectiveness of psychotherapies with diverse client groups.
Workload and teaching
- Tutorials24 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per teaching period comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study.
Usually, you can expect to engage with:
• 24 hours of scheduled learning delivered on campus via weekly/regular directed learning activities; and
• the remaining hours to be allocated towards self-directed/independent study
Scheduled learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.
You will be provided with the opportunity to engage with relevant literature and resources. Further, you will be encouraged to deepen your understanding of topic areas through collegial discussion and debate, and by participating in activities designed to extend your understanding.
Learning resources
Recommended resources
Please visit the unit Moodle site for further information.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Professor Andrea Reupert
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Andrea Reupert
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for EDF4605?
EDF4605 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is EDF4605 offered?
In 2026, EDF4605 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
How much work is EDF4605?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does EDF4605 have an exam?
No. EDF4605 has 2 assessment tasks and no exam.