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academic merit, referees' reports, proposed course of research, performance in interviews, andrelevant work experience. For students already/previously enrolled in the Master of Psychology(Counselling) course or equivalent, a high standard of performance in Master of Psychology unitswill also be required for entry into the program.Introduction to the Program StructureCounselling psychology is one of a number of endorsed areas of practice in professionalpsychology. Similar to psychologists who practice in other endorsed areas such as organizationalpsychology, clinical psychology and forensic psychology, counselling psychologists hold a Mastersor PhD degree from a specialized program. Graduates are eligible to undertake a registrar programleading to endorsement in counselling psychology.Counselling psychologists provide psychological assessment and diagnosis, counselling andpsychotherapeutic services to individuals, couples, families, children, and groups. Counsellingpsychologists are trained to work with a wide range of psychological difficulties and mental healthdisorders. Counselling psychologists work with complex psychological problems and disorders suchas depression, anxiety, self-esteem, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress and personalitydisorders. Identification and treatment of psychopathology is a significant aspect of the training andthe professional work. Counselling psychologists also assist clients with challenging or prolongeddifficulties, such as bereavement, intimacy issues, relationship breakdown, transition to parenthood,attachment issues, sexual abuse, adjustment to step-parenting, sexual assault, or involuntaryredundancy. The central focus is the specialised applied training in psychotherapy process andinterventions relevant to individuals, couples, families, parent-infant relationships, children, andgroups.Counselling psychologists enjoy a wide range of employment opportunities. Some are to be foundin academic and research settings, although most are employed as practitioners in community andgovernment agencies. A growing number are involved in private practice. Private practitioners whohave met registration requirements as a counselling psychologist may offer rebates from mostleading health insurers and from Medicare.TRAINING PHILOSOPHY AND TEACHING METHODSThe Doctor of Philosophy (Counselling Psychology) aims to develop the capacity to make effectiveinterventions in a wide range of life difficulties and mental health disorders. Students are taught torespond empathically to clients‟ predicaments and to develop intervention plans in collaboration withthem. There is an underlying philosophical basis that emphasises the autonomy of our clients andrespect for clients and the meanings they make out of their life stories. Thus, a significantcomponent of the training is how to establish and maintain a strong therapeutic alliance and how tomanage the ruptures that can occur in that relationship.The capacity to make accurate diagnostic assessments of client functioning and psychopathologyare a substantial part of the course; however the course aims to develop a stance toward clientdifficulties and psychological disorders which also takes into full account the health and resources ofclients. There is also a strong emphasis on understanding the impact of developmental processes,including the impact of early life experience on functioning.There are four essential components to the course, which aims to develop the capacity to:1. critically evaluate and utilize research and theory to inform practice;2. understand, assess, diagnose, and intervene therapeutically with clients;63Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology.CRICOS Provider Code 00301J (WA), 02637B (NSW)