Diploma of Counselling CHC51015

If you have a passion for helping people, and enjoy the challenge of changing lives, then the CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling is the perfect course for you.

The theory and practice of core counselling methods including:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Person Centred Therapy
• Solution Focused Therapy
• Narrative Therapy
• Gestalt Therapy
• Acceptance Commitment Therapy
• How to work within a case management system
• The skills to assess clients and select the ideal counselling methods to meet their needs
• How to navigate legal and ethical frameworks
• Communication and how to work as part of a healthcare team

• Case studies
• Demonstrations
• Knowledge tests
• Portfolio of evidence
• Presentations
• Video
• Workplace assessments
• Written reports

The duration for the course is maximum 24 months. As a self-paced online course, the time it will take you to complete is flexible and dependent on ability and time available.

Recommended Local Entry Requirements

Students will need to be at least 18 years old. Students under 18 will need a parent or guardian to complete the parent or guardian declaration on the Enrolment Form.

Students residing in WA/NT under the age of 18, who are not currently studying for their year 12 certificate cannot be enrolled.

Students are recommended to have the language, literacy, and numeracy skills that ensure the ability to read and comprehend technical terms and communicate effectively through email.

These skills are equivalent to:

• Successfully completed Year 12 OR
• Successful completion of a nationally recognised Certificate III qualification or higher OR
• 3 years of work experience in a role that requires the use of written documentation and communication

Tools, equipment, and skills required:

• Access to up to 3 people to participate in role plays and assessments
• Access to a device with audio & video capabilities to record simulated role-play tasks for submission
• Tripod to provide a stable and secure platform to mount the digital recording device
• Basic computing skills
• Access to a modern computer with high-speed internet
• Access to Microsoft Office

Access to others

Assessments include role plays that simulate counselling sessions, which must be recorded and uploaded as part of the coursework to demonstrate practical application of counselling techniques in a structured environment. While case studies are provided, students are responsible for sourcing their own volunteer to play the client. This volunteer needs to be able to be in the same room as the student to simulate a counselling session. Additionally, students must allocate time to attend three live online role play assessments, where they will take turns to act as both the counsellor and client alongside fellow enrolled students. There is a total of 17 recorded role plays and 3 live online role plays within the course.

Additional Requirements:

• Students need to have a reasonable level of fitness, as the role involves physical tasks.
• Additionally, where first aid is a requirement of the host organisation, students must have the requisite fitness level that enables them to complete 2 minutes of uninterrupted CPR on an adult manikin placed on the floor.
  
  

• By undertaking a work placement you’ll get a chance to put the knowledge you’ve learned on your course into practice.
• You’ll also develop practical, on-the-job skills and could make contacts that could help you find a job once you graduate.
• Work placement is often the most rewarding part of a student’s course. Working face-to-face with clients and colleagues in your chosen field makes a huge difference to your career confidence.

Focus on your studies while we handle your work placement. Through our partnership with SkilTrak, our Guaranteed Work Placement ensures you gain hands-on experience in your dream career—right in your local area. Learn more

• Meet with SkilTrak – Their team will discuss your skills, goals, location, and travel preferences to arrange the best placement for you.
• We’ll do the work – While you continue your coursework, we’ll be behind the scenes securing the perfect placement match.
• Get the details – Have a quick chat with us to go over what to expect from your work placement experience.
• Start your placement – Gain real-world experience while we check in along the way to ensure everything is running smoothly.
• Complete your course – Once your placement is done, upload your workbooks, finish your final assessment, and receive your certificate.

The Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) will require a minimum of 160 hours. Students can commence Work placement after successful completion of modules 1 - 6.

There will also be specific assessment tasks including a logbook and portfolios to be completed at the workplace.

Workplaces suitable to undertake SWL include:

• Non-profit organisations
• Community services organisations
• Disability services organisation
• Women’s Services (refuges & domestic violence services)
• Community mental health care services
• Residential mental health facilities
• Family support services
• Youth Services
• Networking and Advocacy Services
• Multicultural services

For students to be able to undertake the practical component of the course, approved workplaces must be able to provide students with the required equipment, environments, policies & procedures, documentation, appropriate supervisor, and clients. If host organisations are unable to provide the necessary equipment, resources, and access to clients the student may be required to undertake SWL within 2 (or more) organisations.

The workplace may require the student to meet workplace-specific requirements. These will vary by state and by organisation. Some of the statutory checks and requirements the student may need to provide to commence work placement are:

• Police Check
• Working with Children Check
• Occupational Assessment
• Screening and vaccination against infectious diseases, including COVID-19
• Signing of Codes of Conduct and Confidentiality Agreements
• First Aid Certificate
  
  

Please note that your host organisation may require you to provide an up to date immunisation history prior to the commencement of your work placement. Open Colleges has no control over this requirement so if you are unable to provide this, you will need to discuss it with your intended Host Organisation.

It should also be noted that some immunisations, such as Hepatitis B and COVID-19, need multiple injections to be administered over a specific time period before you are deemed immune. It is important that you consult with your GP as soon as possible to avoid delays in starting your work placement.

Your workplace supervisor is required to have:

• At least 3 years’ experience within industry, and/or
• Hold a minimum qualification of the Diploma of Counselling or equivalent.