Basic counselling skills

Study level: Graduate study programme in psychology
Lecturers: Lidija Arambašić, Ph.D.
ECTS: 5
Language: Croatian
Semester: 1st (winter)
Status: elective
Form of instruction with class hours: 30 hours of lectures, 30 hours of practical classes
Prerequisites: Practicum in communication skills
Student evaluation: Written exam.

Course description

Definition of counselling as psychological process. Differences between counselling and psychotherapy. Goals and effects of counselling. Prerequisites for effective counselling. Problems in rapport and therapeutic relationship. Counselling skills. Clients’ confidence in counsellor. Client’s resistance. Basic communication skills in counselling process. Stages in counselling.

Course objectives

Students will have insight in conditions that help or create barriers to establish rapport and a positive therapeutic relationship. They will recognize their own characteristics which can help them become effective helper. Students will be able to recognize clients and their own resistance. They will practice basic communication skills for effective counselling: showing understanding, noticing nonverbal behaviour, active listening and questioning skills. Students will gain basic information’s of stages in counselling.

Required readings

1. Ajduković, M. i Hudina., B. (1996.). Značaj učinkovite komunikacije u radu pomagača, In: J. Pregrad (ur.) Stres, trauma, oporavak, Društvo za psihološku pomoć, Zagreb, str. 7.- 26.
2. Arambašić, L. (1996.). Savjetovanje, In: J. Pregrad (ur.) Stres, trauma, oporavak, Društvo za psihološku pomoć, Zagreb, str. 63.-86.
3. Dryden, W. (1992.). Key issues for counselling in action, Sage, London.
4. Dryden, W. (1993.). Questions and answers on counselling in action, Sage, London.
5. Dryden, W. (1993.). Hard-earned lessons from counselling in action, Sage, London.
6. Hackney, H.L. i Cormier, L.S. (2001.). The professional counselor, Allyn and Bacon, Boston.
7. Nelson-Jones, R. (2007.). Praktične vještine u psihološkom savjetovanju i pomaganju, Naklada Slap, Jastrebarsko

Recommended readings

1. Juul, J. (1995.). Razgovori s obiteljima: perspektive i procesi, Alinea, Zagreb.
2. Juul, J. (2006.) Vaše kompetentno dijete: prema novim temeljnim vrijednostima obitelji, Naklada Pelago, Zagreb
3. Schulz von Thun, F. (2001.). Kako međusobno razgovaramo 1: Smetnje i razjašnjenja, Erudita, Zagreb
4. Schulz von Thun, F. (2002.). Kako međusobno razgovaramo 2: Stilovi, vrijednosti i razvitak ličnosti, Erudita, Zagreb
5. Schulz von Thun, F. (2005.). Kako međusobno razgovaramo 3: "Unutarnji tim" i komunikacija primjerena situaciji, Erudita, Zagreb