Module: Foundational Skills in Guidance Counselling

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Foundational Skills in Guidance Counselling
Module Code	EDU1134 (ITS: HD520)
Faculty	Human Development	School	DCU Institute of Education
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

To critically analyse and evaluate the nature, aims and effectiveness of counselling in a guidance context. To explore a range of counselling practices and their contribution to guidance counselling. To explore the significance of boundaries and boundary setting in the context of the guidance counselling relationship. To address professional, organisational and legal issues in the area of guidance counselling – boundaries, supervision, data storage. The issue of how and when to make appropriate referral to specialised agencies and the capacity to network with same will also be addressed. To critically analyse the social, cultural, political and philosophical context of guidance counselling.

Learning Outcomes

1. Analyse various theoretical perspectives on the nature, objectives and effectiveness of counselling
2. Practise an eclectic range of counselling skills under supervision.
3. Critically examine the common factors that have been associated with positive outcomes in counselling practice
4. Critically review the professional, organisational and legal obligations of counsellors/therapists
5. Reflect on the importance of professional and personal boundaries in the context of a guidance counselling relationship and critically analyse the contribution of ethical guidelines to guidance counselling practice

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	36	No Description
Group work	18	No Description
Professional Practice	100	No Description
Independent Study	80	No Description
Total Workload: 234

Section Breakdown
CRN	10576	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Aisling Murray Fleming	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	n/a	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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
- Defining counselling

- Identifying central factors of positive outcomes in counselling and psychotherapy and related skills.

- Introduction to the core principles and skills of counselling

- Exploring philosophical, cultural, and social perspectives as they practically relate to counselling

- Identifying the ethics of counselling practice

- Exploration of the impact of delivering of counselling in educational, training and the labour market contexts.

- Ethical & professional issues and boundaries in counselling: assessment for counselling and of progress during counselling; scanning; beginning; referral and co-working; ending counselling; and the use of time, boundaries and contracts.

- The use and role of professional supervision.

- Explore the legal frameworks surrounding counselling practice, including the child protection requirements and other important frameworks.

- Discuss ethical aspects including codes of ethics, confidentiality, information exchange and the law.

- Examine the processes and issues related to working with systems e.g. schools, social services, welfare agencies, private sector, and health services.

- Include a focus on personal records and data, management and evaluation of counselling practice need for personal supervision

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Aldridge, S: 2014, A short introduction to counselling, SAGE, Los Angeles, USA,
Egan, G.;: 2014, The Skilled Helper – A Client Centred Approach, 8th, Brooks Cole Publishing Company, California, USA,
Culley, S.; Bond, T.:: 2011, Integrative Counselling Skills in Action,, 3rd,
Aldridge, Sally & Rigby, Sally (editors): 2001, Counselling Skills in Context,
O Farrell, U.;: 2004, Considering Counselling: The Person-Centred approach, Veritas,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None