Certificate IV in Christian Counselling and Communication Skills

The St Mark’s Certificate IV in Christian Counselling and Communication Skills is delivered via weekly face-to-face 3 hour training sessions for 38 weeks, plus a 3 day intensive mid year.

The course is divided into 2 Units.

• In Unit 1, 6 months are spent learning and practising basic micro skills and a foundational understanding of the Egan model of counselling. Students are encouraged to develop a good self awareness and the ability to work respectfully with fellow students in role play/practise counselling and listening situations. Theological understanding of the role of the people helper is examined, along with the integration of the rational, emotional and spiritual aspects of persons.
• Unit 2 begins with the weekend intensive which requires students to work personally at an increased depth and hence be able to work more thoroughly with their ‘clients’ in practice counselling/helping sessions in Unit 2. The main work of Unit 2 is for students to become familiar with the St Mark’s Integrative Model of Christian Counselling, both from a theoretical point of view and practically. Other counselling tools and concepts are introduced to support the development of the use of the counselling model. There is a continuing emphasis on integrating students’ learning with Christian understanding. Unit 2 aims to build students’ counselling skills to the point that they are able to conduct counselling/helping sessions with each other in the final weeks of Unit 2. Continuing attention is paid to the application of the skills taught within a variety of settings, such as pastoral care versus counselling settings, with due regard to which skills are applicable in the different settings. This emphasis is supported in Unit 2, as in Unit 1, by the interchangeable use of client/person, and counsellor/helper.

Home study and written assignments seek to develop and demonstrate students’ ability to conceptualise the work they are studying and to understand different settings for use of counselling skills. Students need to set aside an equivalent amount of home study time as is completed in the face-to-face training setting.

Advanced Diploma of Christian Counselling

The St Mark’s Advanced Diploma of Christian Counselling is delivered via weekly face-to-face 3 hour training sessions for 38 weeks. There is an external practicum required. The course is divided into 2 Units.

Pre-requisite for entry into this course are the Certificate IV in Christian Counselling and Communication Skills, or equivalent qualifications. Applicants seeking entry on the basis of previous study (Recognition of Prior Learning) need to apply to the RTO Manager.

The purpose of this St Mark’s Advanced Diploma of Christian Counselling is to prepare graduates for working in real counselling situations.

Courses held Friday Mornings at Yarra Plenty Church 360 Main Rd Lower Plenty (commencing 5 February).

Cost $1350 per semester.

More information and enrolment forms at www.stmarksrto.org.au

Contact person Russell Warnken 0262726265.