This module provides the foundations for further counselling skill and knowledge development by familiarising students with various theoretical approaches to establishing therapeutic interpersonal relationships in practice settings. Particular emphasis will be focussed on a person-centred approach and Egan's eclectic framework.

1. Evaluate the humanistic, cognitive behavioural and psychodynamic perspectives in counselling and discuss their differences and commonalities.
2. Appraise recent research and developments in theory and application of counselling skills in practice.
3. Reflect on how issues of ethics and how power and diversity impact on the helping process.
4. Apply and integrate a range of skills and techniques from counselling approaches such as person centred, cognitive behavioural; solution focused and mindfulness with individuals.
5. Critically reflect upon their own use of counselling skills in a simulated counselling setting and the relevance of these skills for professional practice.
6. Develop self-awareness through the use of a learning journal.

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the theory, principles and skills of cognitive behavioural therapies. Contemporary developments and research in the cognitive tradition will be studied including third wave therapies such as mindfulness-based approaches. Emphasis will be given to application of skills and techniques of these approaches in healthcare, educational or organisational contexts. Psychosocial and medical models of mental health discourse will be contrasted.

1. Analyse the theoretical foundations of cognitive behavioural approaches;
2. Develop skills in CBT case formulation;
3. Investigate key cognitive and behavioural methods; such as negative automatic thoughts, core beliefs, emotional regulation;
4. Evaluate research evidence relating to cognitive behavioural approaches including mindfulness in applications relating to professional practice;
5. Reflect on their own integration of skills into personal and professional development;
6. Debate professional practice issues relating to the trauma-informed application of cognitive behavioural approaches.

This module aims to develop students under standing of the humanistic existential approaches in counselling. A pproaches from this tradition including G estalt , Transactional Analysis, person centred and existential approaches to counselling will be introduc ed and students will explore the primary skills and principles underpinning them . Key consideration s of a trauma informed approach will be explained as well as existential challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate emergency.

1. Discuss the theoretical foundations and philosophy of humanistic existential counselling approaches;
2. Develop the core concepts and skills associated with these perspectives;
3. Analyse issues in relation to ethics and research in these traditions;
4. Explore issues of power and oppression in the counselling relationship
5. Examine the ways in which these approaches can be used to promote client empowerment and autonomy;
6. Apply core concepts from these approaches to contemporary issues such as climate change and social justice;

This module aims to develop students' understanding of two constructivist approaches commonly used in practice; solution focused and motivational interviewing. Practical skills relating to these approaches and relevant to professional practice will be highlighted and the module will integrate experiential processes to support learning. Utilisation of these approaches in the service of client autonomy and anti-discriminatory practice is a cornerstone of this module. The fundamental issue of behaviour change in the context of pandemic and climate change is also a theme.

1. Assess the theoretical foundations and evidence base of motivational interviewing;
2. Develop essential skills for MI: empathy; evaluating clients’ readiness to change;
3. Discuss the theoretical basis of solution focused counselling and also gain knowledge of the evidence base of this approach;
4. Develop solution focused skills set including a shift from problem finding to solution talk.
5. Facilitate a motivation motivational interviewing and/or solution focused session and reflect on their own skills;
6. Critically analyse issues pertaining to ethics and efficacy in the application of solution focused and MI approaches.

This module aims to introduce students to the use of the body (soma) in counselling. This approach offers insights into the implementation of a trauma informed approach starting from the premise that trauma is held in the nervous system's survival responses . Students will gain an understanding of how to attune to their own and clients ' somatic experience and how this understanding can then be utilised to support a client's process and recovery . This module will include experiential sessions and students ' learning will be achieved through their own engagement in somatic experiencing . Epigenetics and transgenerational trauma will also be explored.

1. Assess the theoretical foundations and evidence base for body centred counselling;
2. Evaluate research on the impact of trauma on health and functioning and transgenerational effects;
3. Attune to self and others somatic experience and identify resources within somatic experience (understanding the language of the body);
4. Develop skills for practice in body centred counselling, including how this can be used in practice as a complete approach in itself or how the skills can add to other counselling approaches;
5. Facilitate a body centred counselling session and reflect on their skills;
6. Critically analyse issues relating to ethics and efficacy in the application of body-oriented approaches.

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of psychodynamic approaches and the centrality of relationships throughout the lifespan. Fundamental concepts and debate within contemporary psychodynamic and attachment theory will also be addressed. This module will give students an opportunity to explore how to promote equality and inclusion in professional practice.

1. Analyse key issues in the study of lifecourse development;
2. Evaluate approaches in psychodynamic theory and their perspectives on psychological distress;
3. Discuss models of grief and loss and their application to practice ;
4. Investigate research evidence relating to psychodynamic approaches;
5. Critique practical applications of attachment and psychodynamic approaches.
6. Explore contemporary issues through the lens of psychodynamic approaches