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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Elements define the essential outcomes
2. Use a structured approach to counselling
   • Analyse existing client information prior to commencement of counselling session
   • Use initial session to gather additional client information as a foundation for counselling process
   • Select and use communication techniques that support the initial counselling session objectives
   • Follow a structured approach to counselling based on client needs and expectations
3. Establish the nature of the helping relationship
   • Provide information that assists clients to understand the nature of the counselling service on offer
   • Clarify, confirm or modify client expectations of the counselling service
   • Identify client anxieties about the counselling process and explore with clients
   • Acknowledge and show respect for client’s immediate concerns
   • Clarify both expectations and commitment to the counselling relationship and confirm with clients
   • Identify indicators of client issues beyond scope of own role and report or refer according to presenting issue and organisation requirements
4. Confirm the helping relationship
   • Explore options and approaches for the relationship with clients according to individual need
   • Agree priorities and develop a plan for counselling in collaboration with the client
   • Make documented agreement with the client that addresses disclosure and organisation requirements

Performance Evidence

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:

conducted an initial session with at least 3 different clients presenting with different issues, to establish, confirm and document the nature of the helping relationship, including:

followed the structure and process of a counselling interview

developed counselling plans that include required:

safety or reporting issues

recording of clients own identified priorities

observations of client requirements

involvement of other agencies/referral information

special needs information

goals

evaluation strategies

used communication techniques, including:

effective use of body language

paraphrasing

reflecting feelings

open and closed questioning or probing

summarising

reframing.

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

legal and ethical considerations for the initial stages of counselling, and how these are applied in individual practice:

codes of conduct/practice

contract requirements, formats for contracts and key information for inclusion in a counselling contract

discrimination

duty of care

human rights

mandatory reporting

practitioner/client boundaries

privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

records management

rights and responsibilities of workers, employers and clients

work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations of the counsellor role

work health and safety

the counselling process, including:

what clients have a right to expect

principles of person-centred practice

purpose of counselling

how counselling has evolved as a helping relationship

place of counselling within the helping services

scope and nature of the counselling relationship, including professional limitations

impact of own values on the counselling relationship

counselling planning, its scope, and techniques for creating a counselling plan, including requirements for:

safety or reporting issues

recording of clients own identified priorities

observations of client requirements

involvement of other agencies/referral information

special needs information

goals

evaluation strategies

communication techniques, including:

effective use of body language

paraphrasing

reflecting feelings

open and closed questioning or probing

summarising

reframing

types of issues with which clients may present, the extent to which these fall within the counselling scope of practice, and options for referral, including for:

alcohol and other drugs

domestic and family violence

financial difficulty

homelessness

mental illness

problem gambling.

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