Graduate Diploma in Counselling

Please note: this subject is delivered wholly online and only open to students enrolled in the mixed mode courses Master of Counselling, Graduate Diploma in Counselling and the wholly online Graduate Certificate in Counselling. Subjects in this course are delivered in an online accelerated learning model and therefore, students typically enrol in one 12.5 credit point subject per online teaching term.

This subject introduces foundational and contemporary counselling theories that underpin ethical and effective practice. It explores a range of contemporary frameworks, including psychodynamic, person-centred, cognitive behavioural, and narrative approaches. Students will examine the philosophical assumptions, core concepts, and techniques associated with each model, developing the capacity to critically compare and apply them to diverse counselling contexts. These frameworks provide a strong theoretical foundation for those pursuing future professional counselling practice, supervision, or research, and serve as a basis for integrating culturally responsive and evidence-informed approaches.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Please note: this subject is delivered wholly online and only open to students enrolled in the mixed-mode courses Master of Counselling, Graduate Diploma in Counselling and the wholly online Graduate Certificate in Counselling. Subjects in this course are delivered in an online accelerated learning model and therefore, students typically enrol in one 12.5 credit point subject per online teaching term.

In this practice-based subject, students focus on developing interpersonal, reflective, and communication skills required for counselling. Through experiential learning, including role-plays, peer feedback, and structured simulations, students will build confidence in applying foundational micro-skills such as active listening, empathy, summarising, and questioning. Students will also begin to explore their own values, responses, and presence in the counselling process. Guided by feedback from peers and facilitators, students will have opportunities to reflect on their communication style and areas for growth. This subject prepares students for future residential and placement by building their capacity to form safe, ethical, and collaborative therapeutic relationships.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Please note: this subject is delivered wholly online and only open to students enrolled in the mixed mode courses Master of Counselling, Graduate Diploma in Counselling and the wholly online Graduate Certificate in Counselling. Subjects in this course are delivered in an online accelerated learning model and therefore, students typically enrol in one 12.5 credit point subject per online teaching term.

This subject introduces students to the ethical, legal, and professional foundations of contemporary counselling practice. Students examine national and international codes of ethics, statutory obligations, and regulatory frameworks that guide decision-making and protect client wellbeing. Through case studies and discussion, students consider confidentiality, record-keeping, informed consent, and boundary management, and evaluate how culture, power, and intersectionality shape ethical responses. Practical activities encourage students to apply ethical-reasoning models to complex scenarios and to reflect on their emerging professional identity and responsibility for self-care and supervision. The unit equips students to uphold culturally competent, accountable practice in placement and beyond.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Please note: this subject is delivered wholly online and only open to students enrolled in the mixed-mode courses Master of Counselling, Graduate Diploma in Counselling and the wholly online Graduate Certificate in Counselling. Subjects in this course are delivered in an online accelerated learning model and therefore, students typically enrol in one 12.5 credit point subject per online teaching term.

In this subject, students develop skills in comprehensive client assessment and psychosocial formulation. Students will have opportunities to practice identifying presenting concerns, evaluate risk and protective factors, and attend to cultural, developmental, and systemic contexts. Evidence-based frameworks guide students in transforming assessment data into coherent case conceptualisations that inform collaborative goal setting and intervention planning. Emphasis is placed on ethical decision-making, trauma-informed and culturally responsive practice, and clear professional documentation. By the end of the subject, students possess a structured approach to understanding complex client experiences and articulating rationales for evidence-based counselling strategies.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Please note: this subject is delivered wholly online and only open to students enrolled in the mixed-mode courses Master of Counselling and Graduate Diploma in Counselling. Subjects in this course are delivered in an online accelerated learning model and therefore, students typically enrol in one 12.5 credit point subject per online teaching term.

In this subject, students will develop the knowledge and skills required to respond safely, ethically, and effectively to trauma across life stages and settings. Students will explore how trauma—including complex trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—impacts the brain, body, and behaviour, and examine its implications for therapeutic work. The subject critically examines contemporary trauma theories, including psychodynamic, narrative, and anti-oppressive approaches and explores their application to working with individuals, families and communities in counselling practice settings. Through case studies, contemporary research, and applied learning, students will learn to integrate trauma-informed principles into assessment and planning. The subject also focuses on the risks of vicarious trauma and burnout, equipping students to build sustainable self-care strategies. This subject prepares students to work with individuals and communities affected by trauma in diverse counselling contexts.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Please note: this subject is delivered wholly online and only open to students enrolled in the mixed mode courses Master of Counselling and Graduate Diploma in Counselling. Subjects in this course are delivered in an online accelerated learning model and therefore, students typically enrol in one 12.5 credit point subject per online teaching term.

Understanding mental illness is essential to ethical, person-centred counselling practice. In this subject, students will examine contemporary approaches to mental health and wellbeing through different lenses including lived experience, recovery-oriented practice, and trauma-informed care. Students will explore key diagnostic categories and the impact of stigma, social determinants, and systemic barriers on help-seeking. How mental health system services are organised and the contributions of different mental health professionals and the lived and living experienced workforce is provided. A strong emphasis is placed on communication strategies that enable ethical engagement, mental health literacy, and safe, appropriate referral. Using case-based and experiential learning, students will develop the skills to recognise distress, respond with empathy, and support pathways to culturally safe and inclusive care across diverse populations.​

View detailed information in the Handbook

Please note: this subject is delivered in mixed-mode and only open to students enrolled in the Master of Counselling and Graduate Diploma in Counselling. Subjects in this course are delivered in an accelerated learning model and therefore, students typically enrol in one 12.5 credit point subject per online teaching term.

In this hybrid subject, students will blend flexible online study with a five-day residential intensive in Parkville. Building on the first six subjects, students will consolidate their counselling knowledge and micro-skills through supervised practice sessions, immersive virtual simulations, and structured peer feedback. Both online and face-to-face activities emphasise theory–practice integration, ethical decision making, and culturally responsive engagement. After the residential, students will create an evidence-based professional development plan that maps directly to their upcoming placement and final-year capstone. By the end of the subject, students will demonstrate a clearer professional identity, clinical judgement, and a targeted roadmap for growth—ensuring they are fully prepared for counselling placements.

View detailed information in the Handbook

Please note: this subject is only open to students enrolled in the mixed mode courses Master of Counselling and Graduate Diploma in Counselling. Subjects in this course are delivered in an accelerated learning model and therefore, students typically enrol in one 12.5 credit point subject per online teaching term.

Practical experience is important for a student's counselling education, extending their development of counselling skills with real-world experience and the varied clients they will work within professional practice. Students will undertake Counselling Placement A in a professional counselling context, guided by an approved counselling supervisor. Placements will usually be structured as a 2 days per week for 7 weeks of placement. The placement aims to give students introductory experience of professional counselling practice including direct counselling delivery, case presentation, record keeping, managing a caseload, and liaising with other professional practitioners. Students will also engage in structured supervision, feedback, and critical self-reflection to further develop their counselling skills. To supplement the placement hours, students will also have weekly online integrative sessions with University online educators and access to self-paced online learning activities to integrate theory with practice. Counselling Placement A provides the initial 105 hours of professional practice required in the Master of Counselling, or is the final subject for students completing a Graduate Diploma of Counselling. The Residential Industry Experience subject provides preparation for placements and needs to be completed before Placement A.

View detailed information in the Handbook