DCU Home | Our Courses | Loop | Registry | Library | Search DCU
<< Back to Module List

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

All Module information is indicative, and this portal is an interim interface pending the full upgrade of Coursebuilder and subsequent integration to the new DCU Student Information System (DCU Key).

As such, this is a point in time view of data which will be refreshed periodically. Some fields/data may not yet be available pending the completion of the full Coursebuilder upgrade and integration project. We will post status updates as they become available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Integrative Frameworks For Guidance Practice I
Module Code HD523 (ITS) / EDU1135 (Banner)
Faculty DCU Institute of Education School Human Development
Module Co-ordinatorPaul King
Module Teachers-
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
Coursework Only
Description

The purpose of this module is to provide students with a theoretical framework for the practical application of guidance counselling skills. The module encourages students to reflect on personal development as a medium for understanding the counselling dimension of working as a guidance counsellor. It addresses a number of counselling styles inclusive of psychodynamic, humanistic-existential, cognitive-behavioural and integrative approaches. Students are encouraged to begin the process of establishing their own counselling theoretical framework to inform their practice as a guidance counsellor. Students are expected to attend and engage in active participation in all lectures and to integrate learning from this module with their development through participation in the foundational counselling skills in guidance module.

Learning Outcomes

1. Develop the ability and confidence to establish and maintain a collaborative, congruent and effective relationship with clients informed by a theoretical framework;
2. Identify and critically assess a range of diverse counselling models and their possible application to guidance settings.
3. Reflect on their own life narrative and its impact on the guidance counselling relationship
4. Recognise their personal and professional limitations and act appropriately to seek supervision or professional support;
5. Critically analyse the importance of ethical guidelines in underpinning good practice in guidance counselling
6. Analyse the impact of culture, diversity and inclusivity in the delivery of guidance counselling.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24No Description
Online activity20No Description
Independent Study80No Description
Total Workload: 124

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative Syllabus
Historical Overview of Counselling Theory and impact on Guidance; Psychodynamic Frameworks in Counselling; Behavioural and Cognitive Behavioural Approaches; Humanistic/Existential Approaches to Counselling; Contemporary Theories of Counselling; Identifying central factors of integrative approaches in counselling and related skills as applied to guidance; Exploring philosophical, multi-cultural, and social perspectives as they relate specifically to counselling adolescents and adults; Exploration of the impact of delivering of counselling in systemic contexts; Working within the boundaries of one’s own professional competence and role.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Research PaperStudents will devise and critique their own counselling model applicable to their current or intended practice as a guidance counsellor which is inclusive of an appreciation for issues of diversity present in guidance counselling settings.80%Week 12
Completion of online activityStudents will contribute to a weekly online Forum reflecting on their development in beginning to articulate a framework for counselling practice in guidance.20%Week 12
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Aldridge, Sally: 2014, A short introduction to counselling, SAGE., Los Angeles:,
  • Corey, Gerald: 2017, Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy, 10th Ed., Cengage, UK,
  • Capuzzi, David & Gross, R. Douglas.: 2017, Counselling and psychotherapy: theories and interventions, 4th ed, Pearson Merrill/Prentice Hall., Upper Saddle River, N.J.,
  • Culley, S. and Bond, T.: 0, Integrative counselling skills in action., 3rd ed., SAGE, Los Angeles, [Calif.]; London:,
  • Hackney, Harold & Cormier, Sherry: 0, The professional counsellor: a process guide to helping, 5th ed., Pearson/Allyn and Bacon,, Boston:,
  • Hanley, Terry, editor; Winter, Laura Anne, editor; Feltham, Colin. eds.: 2017, The SAGE handbook of counselling and psychotherapy., 4th ed, SAGE E-Book, Los Angeles:,
  • Jones-Smith, Elsie,: 2016, Theories of Counselling and Psychotherapy: An Integrative Approach, 2nd ed, SAGE, Thousand Oaks, California :,
  • Lines, Dennis: 2016, Brief counselling in schools: working with young people from 11 to 18, 2nd ed., Sage Publications., Thousand Oaks, CA:,
  • McLeod, J.: 0, Counselling skills: a practical guide for counsellors and helping professionals, 2nd. ed., McGraw-Hill Open University Press, Maidenhead,
  • Prout, Thompson H., Fedewa, Alicia L.: 2015, Counseling and psychotherapy with children and adolescents: theory and practice for school and clinical settings, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, New Jersey,
  • Reid, Hazel: 2016, Introduction to Career Counselling & Coaching, SAGE, Los Angeles,
Other Resources

None

<< Back to Module List