Details for Engaging Families

This subject will introduce a comprehensive, inclusive understanding of the concept of family. It will present a variety of perspectives and theories for understanding families, their dynamics, and the impact on the individual. Counselling individuals, couples and families from a systemic versus individualistic perspective will be explored, with reference to modern and post-modern theoretical approaches to counselling. Role plays will form a significant learning tool to enable students to develop awareness of the challenges and effective interventions that can be utilised when working with individuals, couples and families in a systemic counselling model. This subject also provides a framework for students to explore their own family experiences and to assess how those experiences have impacted their development and may influence or impact their counselling practice.

Awards offering Engaging Families

This unit is offered as a part of the following awards:

• Graduate Certificate in Arts
• Graduate Certificate in Wellbeing Studies
• Graduate Diploma in Arts
• Graduate Diploma of Applied Social Science
• Graduate Diploma of Leadership
• Master of Arts
• Master of Leadership

Unit Content

Outcomes

1. Develop an understanding of families and a range of family and system principles and theories, with consideration given to family dynamics, social and cultural factors;
2. Examine and reflect on professional and therapeutic interventions and support for working with families in a variety of settings for both individuals and families;
3. Engage with family intervention principles for personal and professional development, with consideration given to a reflection on one’s own family of origin;
4. Develop knowledge and skills in family counselling and support based on a range of modalities, including assessment, treatment planning and intervention.

Subject Content

• Understanding families
• Family and system principles, theories and therapies
• Family dynamics, social and cultural factors
• Families in transition
• Specific presentations (e.g. trauma, divorce and custody, domestic violence)
• Professional and therapeutic interventions and support for working with families in a variety of contexts
• Professional and therapeutic interventions and support for working with individuals and families
• Family intervention principles for personal and professional development
• Psychoeducation
• Assessment and treatment planning

This course may be offered in the following formats

• Onsite (face-to-face)
• Online (e-Learning)
• Intensives

Please consult your course prospectus or enquire about how and when this course will be offered next at Alphacrucis University College.

Assessment Methods

• Research Paper (40%)
• Critical Reflective Journal (25%)
• Case Study Analysis (35%)

Prescribed Text

• Carr, A. (2012). Family therapy: Concepts, process and practice (3rd ed.). Wiley and Sons., US.

Please consult your instructor prior to purchasing any texts