Advanced Certificate in Counselling and Communication Skills

Purpose

The Advanced Certificate: Counselling and Communication Skills has been designed to provide learners with in-depth knowledge in a range of specialisations in the field of counselling, of which Trauma Counselling, HIV/AIDS Counselling, Community Mental Health, Family Counselling and School Counselling are approved practice areas for any registered counsellors who may enrol in the qualification. All these specialisations are included as Elective options for specialisation in the qualification.

The qualification provides opportunity for mental health practitioners to update, enrich, supplement and deepen their existing skills in the area of specialisation. It also serves to upgrade the practitioners' existing qualification by allowing the learners to develop more specialised knowledge.

Rationale

The long term demand for lay counsellors will increasingly become greater as communities across South Africa face a growing challenge of transition within the developing South Africa. Poverty, HIV and other Health Care needs all present a long term challenge for better and more sustained community mental health care training. The qualification addresses the current growing and acknowledged need for training and equipping a wide range of community based organisations and agencies in counselling skills. Increased enquiries from those interested in training at the South African College for Applied Psychology have indicated the need for this qualification. Currently, figures seem to indicate that many lay counsellors in the various communities have a wide range of skills/experience but no qualifications.

It is assumed that the learner has the following competencies

• Communication at NQF Level 4.
• Ability to read, write and communicate in English and in one of the other official languages.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning acknowledges the individuals' past formal, non formal and informal learning and ensures that due recognition is given in accordance with University guidelines. The learning outcomes of each module provide the Recognition of Prior Learning and Recognition of Current Competencies.

The learner is required to write an assessment that evaluates the existing competencies that are relevant to the qualification's assessment criteria. The assessment may be negotiated with the learner and consist of an interview, a written assignment, a workplace assessment, or a video or audio demonstration of competency. Module exemptions are limited to four in number. Successful learners are notified promptly of the application outcome.

Access to the Qualification

A National Senior Higher Certificate in the field of Human and Social Studies

Learners who are already in the field and who do not meet the entry requirements for higher level of studies are required to provide a curriculum vitae and motivational letter that presents the evidence of experience.

The qualification is made up of one compulsory module at NQF Level 5, three compulsory modules at NQF Level 6 and three optional or elective modules at NQF Level 6, totalling 132 Credits. All seven modules must be completed in order to be awarded the qualification.

Compulsory module at NQF Level 5

• Practical Counselling Skills, 12 Credits.

Total Credits at NQF Level 5: 12.

Compulsory modules at NQF Level 6

• Self Esteem and Motivation, 20 Credits.
• Supervision and Professional Ethics, 20 Credits.
• Fieldwork, 20 Credits.

Total compulsory Credits at NQF Level 6: 60.

Elective modules at NQF Level 6: Complete three of the following ten modules

• Addiction, 20 Credits.
• Children and Youth, 20 Credits.
• Coaching, 20 Credits.
• Community Mental Health, 20 Credits.
• Conflict Management, 20 Credits.
• Facilitation, 20 Credits.
• Family Counselling, 20 Credits.
• HIV Counselling, 20 Credits.
• School Counselling, 20 Credits.
• Trauma Counselling, 20 Credits.

Total Elective Credits at NQF Level 6: 60.

Total Credits for the qualification: 132.

1. Select and evaluate effective methods in counselling.
2. Apply interpersonal skills to counsel a client within own scope of practice.
3. Display adaptable professional ethics, skills and judgments in a contextual and multi-cultural South Africa.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in this qualification.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of key terms, concepts and practices in the field of applied psychology and counselling.
• Screen a client and critically evaluate the information to determine needs and make recommendations for appropriate interventions.
• Identify common issues/difficulties in the therapeutic process of counselling whilst recognising the role of the social context in the counselling relationship.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Apply understanding of self is when establishing appropriate relationships with clients.
• Explain the nature and significance of the therapeutic relationship.
• Analyse the concepts of self confidence and assertiveness in relation to the leadership role.
• Build and develop the therapeutic relationship and use it to inform and enhance the therapeutic process.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to issues of culture and diversity throughout the relationship.
• Offer counselling that is appropriate to the given needs of the client and facilitates a process towards the client finding a solution.
• Refer the client/s appropriately where necessary.
• Report on the outcome of the interventions and analyse own actions and reactions in terms of the resultant therapeutic process.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Identify ethical and legal issues pertinent to working with clients as a counsellor.
• Demonstrate professional standards and confidentiality throughout counselling relationships.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of own scope of practice within the counselling context when dealing with clients.
• Use critical and creative thinking within limitations of own scope of practice and take responsibility for own decisions and actions.
• Keep required records of counselling interventions according to the established principles, ethics and protocols for counselling.

Integrated Assessment

The student's ability to achieve the Exit Level Outcomes will be assessed according to an integrated assessment strategy that includes both formative and summative assessment where competencies are assessed through case studies, research assignments, reports, presentations, role-plays and critical reflection.

Assessments are designed to facilitate learners` learning, participation and achievement and also include the provision of constructive and timely feedback to learners to assist them to learn and prepare for future assessment tasks.

The formative assessment encourages an in-depth approach to learning through learners' own activity and engagement with the subject.

The summative assessment leads to the certification of achievement. An important aspect of assessment is that it should develop in the learner the ability to independently evaluate the quality of their work.