Counselling Psychology Student Handbook.pdf - Health Sciences ...

Course Entry Requirements/PrerequisitesThe minimum requirement for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy (Counselling Psychology)programme is an Honours degree (IIA or higher) or equivalent. Applicants will be evaluated onacademic 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 programme.Introduction to the Programme 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 programme. Graduates are eligible to undertake a registrarprogramme leading 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 found inacademic 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.Page 76 of 88Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology.CRICOS Provider Code 00301J (WA), 02637B (NSW)