Title: Theories of counselling
Course: EPS 201: PSYCHOLOGY OF LEARNING (B) > Section: Lesson Thirteen: Theories of counselling

Theories of counselling

Topic-level overview | Topic/week/section | 13.
Topic name: | Theories of counselling
Aim of the topic: | The aim of the topic is to introduce  you to the theories of counselling , stages of individual counselling and finally to summarize the characteristics of a good counsellor.
This topic covers:
1. Theories of counseling.
2. Stages of individual counseling
3. Characteristics of a good counsellor
Intended learning outcomes:
At the end of this topic, you will be able to:

1. Analyse the importance of theories of counseling in the counseling process.
2. Describe the stages of individual counseling
3. Summarize the characteristics of a good counselor

Overview of student activity

Overview of student activity: | Your engagement with the e-tivities 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 will help you achieve topic 13 intended learning outcomes. Therefore, you will be provided with various online links to enable you accomplish the given tasks.

Constructive alignment of topic level outcomes with module level outcomes, learning activities and assessment

Constructive alignment of topic level outcomes with module level outcomes, learning activities and assessment
Intended topic learning outcomes: | No of module-level outcome | Activity where students engage with this outcome | Where and how is this outcome assessed?
At the end of this topic, you will be able to:
1. Analyse the importance of theories of counseling in the counseling process. | 3 & 4 | E-tivity 13.1 | Essay question in the LMS
1. Describe the stages of individual counseling | 3 & 4 | E-tivity 13.2 | Short answer question in the LMS
1. Summarize the characteristics of a good counsellor | 3 & 4 | E-tivity 13.3 | Short answer question in the LMS

Module-level outcomes addressed:

Module-level outcomes addressed:
Topic 13 addresses module-level learning outcomes 3 and 4
Purpose of the topic/week/section:
The purpose of this topic is to equip you with the knowledge of various theories of counselling.This is hoped to help you identify the appropriate method to use in counselling.
Over to you:
In this topic we are going to learn about theories of counselling.  Counseling theories are important in trying to enhance our understanding of human behaviour and parameters of the helping relationship. These parameters may include models for viewing personality development, explaining behaviour feelings and thoughts, providing guidelines for predicting and evaluating results as well as identifying strategies and interventions for use during the counseling process. Theories help counselors understand the uniqueness of clients and for developing the most effective treatment plan. There are many theories of counseling but in this topic, we will discuss psychoanalytic theory, Humanistic theory, Rational Emotive, and Behavioural theory.
Pre-topic activity: | Number of hours | 30 minutes
Refer to the list of common problems generated and posted in discussion forum 12.0. Visit any older member of your family and find out how they were guided to cope with each problem.

1. Generate a table showing the problem and the coping mechanisms as responded to by the family member
2. Post your finding to discussion forum 13.0
Face to face time: | Number of hours | 2
Before enganging students online, the moderator is expected to explain in details the following theories of counselling;

1. Affective theories (Psycho-analytic and humanistic theories)
2. Cognitive theory (Rational-emotive theory)
3. Behavioural theories (Classical and operant conditioning theories)

E-tivity 13.1

Online activity: | Number of hours | 1 hour
What should students do?
E-tivity 13.1

Use the slides share by Dawn-Elise (2009) on counseling theories to help you  answer the following questions:

1. Explain the key ideas in each theory
2. Assuming your classmate is struggling with drug abuse, explain how you would apply the counselling techniques  based on one counselling theory to help your classmate control the behaviour problem then post your answers in the discussion forum 13.1
3. Read the posts from your colleagues and ask for clarifications where the techniques used deviated from yours
Where do they do it? | Discussion forum 13.1.
By when should they do it? | By the end of the end of the 2^nd day of the week.
E-moderator/tutor role
1. Summarize the threads
2. Give feedback
3. Close the discussion forum
How are the learning outcomes in this topic assessed? | Number of hours | 30 minutes
The assessment will be done through essay test
How does this section link to other sections of the module?
This section sets the foundation upon which counselling steps  are built on.

E-tivity 13.2

Online activity: | Number of hours | 1 hour
What should students do?
E-tivity 13.2

Read the slides by Shivraj Dandgi (2014) on the counselling process and;

1. Together with a colleague use the knowledge gained from your reading to describe the three stages of individual counselling and evaluate the effectiveness of this process.
2. Share your answers with your colleagues on the discussion forum 13.2.
3. Read what your colleagues have posted and pick new ideas that may help you improve on your work. Incorporate these ideas in your work and rewrite the effectiveness of the counselling process.
4. Repost your work in discussion forum 13.2.
Where do they do it? | Discussion forum  13.2.
By when should they do it? | By the end of the end of the 4^th day of the week.
E-moderator/tutor role
1. Stimulate further learning
2. Encourage the lurkers to participate
3. Summarize the points
4. Round up the discussion
How are the learning outcomes in this topic assessed? | Number of hours | 30 minutes
The assessment will be done through short answer  question
How does this section link to other sections of the module?
This section  deals with the application of the principles gained from the theories of counselling

E-tivity 13.3

Online activity: | Number of hours | 1 hour
What should students do?
E-tivity 13.3

Read pages 98-100 of this module as well as these slides. Using the information from the two resources;

1. Summarize  five qualities of an effective counsellor and post your  answer to discussion forum 13.3
2. Read through what your colleagues have posted and provide positive criticism about their work.
Where do they do it? | Discussion forum  13.3.
By when should they do it? | By the end of the end of the 6^th day of the week.
E-moderator/tutor role
1)           Give feedback

2)           Provide teaching points

3)           Close the forum.
How are the learning outcomes in this topic assessed? | Number of hours | 30 minutes
The assessment will be done through short answer questions
How does this section link to other sections of the module?
This section links to behaviour modification and the theories of counselling by providing the qualities of a good counsellor

= Total number of hours | 7 hours

Some important questions

Some important questions
Which learning resources/ references will scaffold the students’ learning? | The module, the e-books provided on the link, and slide share.
How are students enabled to access the resources? | Through the institutional LMS and OER Africa website
Where in this topic are students expected to work collaboratively? | In the discussion board 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3
How has an inclusive approach been incorporated in this topic? | Varied activities for the learners
How will feedback on topic be obtained from students? | Online posts in discussion board.
How will student feedback be used to improve topic? | The e-moderator will consider the feedback from students to ascertain whether they have mastered the content for appropriate interventions where necessary.
At which point(s) will students receive formative feedback on the work they have done in the topic? | By the end of the 13^th week

Question 1

Analyze the importance of theories of counseling in the counseling process

Guidance to Question 1

In this question the learners should start by identifying the theories such as:

- Psychoanalytic theory
- Humanistic theory
- Rational Emotive
- Theory Behavioural theories

 The learner should analyze the importance of each theory in relation to their goals, methods of counseling when using each theory and the counseling needs to be addressed through each theory

Question 2

Describe the stages of individual counseling

Guidance to Question 2

In responding to this question, the learner should clearly give a description of what takes place in each and every stage of the counseling process. The stages are:

- Initiation stage
- Goal setting
- Action and closing (termination)
- Termination

Question 3

Summarize the characteristics of a good counsellor

Guidance to Question 3

The following are a sample of points which students are expected to give in this question

- Maturity of character, warm, understanding, dependable and cheerful
- Hardworking and has a genuine interest in his clients
- Good tempered
- Aware of his strengths and limitations
- Relates well with others
- Well informed and updated on developments in educational, psychological and social aspects of his work
- Good administrator , proper record keeping, capable of confidentiality and good analytical skill