Comparative Perspective on Counselling and Mental Health

This module consolidates students' understanding of the person-centred counselling approach while introducing additional key counselling and psychotherapy modalities for critical consideration and comparison, including psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioural approaches. 

The module provides students with a comprehensive introduction of mental health models, examining causes, diagnostic frameworks, treatment options, and therapeutic outcomes. Students will critically engage with evidence-based practices, exploring strengths and limitations of various approaches when applied to client experiences.

Learning outcomes:

LO1: Appraise person-centred concepts in relation to counselling and psychotherapy.

LO2: Compare and contrast a range of the developmental theories underpinning counselling approaches and how these inform therapeutic work with clients.

LO3: Evaluate the implications for practice of competing mental health perspectives relating to client experiences.

LO4: Reflect on how counselling modalities and mental health models address anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practices, including social, cultural, and systemic factors.