ACOM / Study / Units / C7204C Counselling Theory and Practice III

C7204C Counselling Theory and Practice III

This unit expands the student’s developing understanding of counselling theories and psychotherapy. Students will reflect on underlying assumptions of different counselling modalities and provide reasoned explanations for how to apply different methods to support clients.
Unit Overview

Qualification

Bachelor

Unit Availability

Year Long 2026, Trimester 2 2027

Study Mode

Online Facilitation

Placement

N/A

Notes

Attendance at facilitation sessions is compulsory for this unit.

Schedule
Academic Period Facilitation Type Time Dates
Trimester 2 2027 Online Facilitation
Attendance at facilitation sessions is compulsory for this unit
6pm – 8pm (AEST) Tuesday 25 May
Tuesday 1 June
Tuesday 8 June
Tuesday 15 June
Tuesday 22 June
Tuesday 29 June
Tuesday 13 July
Tuesday 27 July
Tuesday 3 August
Tuesday 10 August

Unit Details

This unit expands the student’s developing understanding of counselling theories and psychotherapy. Students will reflect on underlying assumptions of different counselling modalities and provide reasoned explanations for how to apply different methods to support clients.

At the end of this unit students will be able to:

  1. Explain and compare key concepts associated with different theories of counselling and psychotherapy.
  2. Critically reflect on the theoretical assumptions of different counselling modalities.
  3. Provide a reasoned explanation for applying different theories, processes and strategies to their practice in a client directed manner.
  4. Examine the theory and practice of counselling integration, including Christian integration.
  5. Apply a particular counselling theory to a counselling context.
  1. Introduction to counselling theory; value of theory; introduction to integration
  2. Existential humanist school of counselling A
  3. Existential humanist school of counselling B
  4. Person centred therapy: theoretical underpinnings
  5. Gestalt therapy: theoretical underpinnings
  6. Adlerian psychotherapy (foundations of behaviour and cognitive therapies)
  7. Reality therapy and choice theory
  8. Introduction to transactional analysis: a comprehensive theoretical system
  9. Postmodern therapies A
  10. Postmodern therapies B

 

Student Stories

I’ve loved my ACOM journey! Every unit has brought practical skills and theoretical knowledge I use every day with my counselling clients and beyond. I’ve grown as a person, and my confidence in academic learning has been supported by highly skilled lecturers in their field. The online learning platform has enabled me to work and balance family life and other commitments. Integrating spirituality and faith throughout every unit has been so refreshing and lovely!
Alison Bury – Bachelor of Counselling

Student Stories

As a person who is holding down a job, and volunteering at my local church leading in our youth ministry, my studies would not be possible without the flexibility that studying with ACOM provides. Their understanding of my ‘all of life’ and working with me to participate in study in a meaningful way that flexes to my life circumstances has been amazing. I am not sure I could have pursued my studies without it.
Tessa Sedawie – Bachelor of Ministry

Student Stories

ACOM's flexible delivery has been instrumental in my studies. I have benefited greatly from the ability to read through the coursework in my own time, around my busy schedule. The supportive staff and excellent online resources have also been invaluable.
Natalie Crawford – Master of Theology

Student Stories

A lot of theology training focuses on helping you know what to do, formation helped me go deeper and learn about who I wanted to become. As someone who learns a lot by doing, the highly practical nature of the ACOM model helped me put theory into practice immediately. The online learning helped me do that in the context I’d grown up in.
Ben Dainton – Graduate Diploma of Arts

Student Stories

My studies at ACOM equipped me to be job-ready by providing the ability to complete my student ministry placement in local churches, allowing me to apply what I was learning directly to real-world situations. The practical elements of the coursework gave me the hands-on experience and confidence needed to step into ministry roles, fully prepared to make a meaningful impact.
Lachie Ashworth – Bachelor of Ministry

Student Stories

Admittedly, at first I was nervous about the prospect of Spiritual Formation and what might be involved. But after my first Spiritual Formation retreat, Spiritual Formation very quickly became one of my favourite subjects, and created some of my fondest memories throughout my years studying with ACOM. The relationships I built and the journey I went on with my formation companions, has left a profound impact on my faith, the shaping of who I am, how I lead and my continued involvement in ministry today. I couldn’t recommend Spiritual Formation highly enough as a valuable part of your studies.
Lachie Ashworth – Bachelor of Ministry