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Please note: in order to gain the full level 6 award, all students are required to
undertake both level 5 modules contained within this specification as a
prerequisite to enrol for the level 6 dissertation.
Contents:
Counselling Supervision, Ethical and Legal Issues………………………………….P.2
- Reading list………………………………………………………………………….P.3
- Learning Outcomes and Assessment criteria…………………………………....P.4
- Assessment requirements………………………………………………………..…P.4
Research in Counselling………………………………………………………………....P.5
- Reading list………………………………………………………………………….P.7
- Learning Outcomes and Assessment criteria……………………………………P.8
- Assessment requirements……………………………………………………….…P.9.
Counselling Research Dissertation……………………………………………...……P.10
- Reading list……………………………………………………………………...…P.10
- Learning Outcomes and Assessment criteria…………………………………..P.12
- Assessment requirements…………………………………………………...…….P.12
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Levels 5 & 6 Specifications and learning outcomes for September 2014
Level Unit 29: L5-U29
Title: Counselling Supervision, Ethical and Legal Issues
This Unit builds on learning acquired at Level 4 when students were embarking on working in a
placement. At level 5, students should be practitioners who have sufficient experience to evaluate
how useful theoretical concepts are proving to be in their own client work. The aim of this unit is
therefore that candidates will be enabled to develop a critical understanding of the purpose and
function of counselling supervision. Candidates will deepen their existing knowledge of essential
aspects of law relevant to counselling and demonstrate the use of an ethical framework or code or
ethics in practice.
Indicative Subject Content
Compare and contrast the relative merits of
Individual supervision
Group supervision
Peer supervision
Different models of supervision:
Hawkins and Shohet : 7-Eyed model
Page and Woskett : Cyclical model
Carroll :Integrative model
How their own experience of supervision has impacted on their self-awareness and on their work
with a specific client.
How they have made use of their theoretical knowledge of ethical and legal issues in their work
with a specific client.
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Reading list
1. Required reading
Bond, T. (2009) Standards and Ethics for Counselling in Action (3rd Ed)London, Sage Pubs, ISBN-
10: 1412902398
Carroll, M. and Tholstrup, M. (eds) (2008) Integrative Approaches to Supervision London Jessica
Kingsley ISBN-10: 1853029661
Jenkins, P. (2002) Legal Issues in Counselling & PsychotherapyLondon, Sage Pubs.ISBN-10:
0761954813
Mitchels, B. and Bond, T. (2010) Essential Law for Counsellors and Psychotherapists, London, Sage
PubsISBN-10: 1848608861
2. Recommended reading
Hawkins, P. and Shohet, R. (2012) Supervision in the Helping Professions Maidenhead Open
University Press ISBN-10: 0335243118
Page, S. and Wosket, V. (2001) Supervising the Counsellor: A Cyclical Model Hove Routledge
ISBN-10: 041520774
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Unit L5-U29: Counselling supervision, ethical and legal issues Level 5
Assessment requirements: Internally-assessed essay
The aim of this unit is that candidates will be enabled to develop a critical understanding of
the purpose and function of counselling supervision. Candidates will learn about essential
aspects of law relevant to counselling and demonstrate the use of an ethical framework or
code of ethics in practice.
Unit Title Counselling supervision, ethical and
legal issues
Level 5
Credit value 9
Learning outcomes
Assessment criteria
The learner will be able to: The learner can:
1. Understand theoretical aspects of
counselling supervision
1.1 Critically evaluate the different forms,
styles and models of counselling
supervision.
2. Understand practical aspects of
counselling supervision
2.1 Demonstrate increasing self-awareness
as a result of the use of counselling
supervision
2.2 Analyse how the process of
supervision can affect the counsellor-client
relationship and clinical outcomes
3. Understand key ethical and legal issues
for counsellors
3.1 Review the impact of key ethical and
legal issues on counselling practice
3.2 Critically evaluate working within an
ethical framework or code of ethics
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Level 5 Unit 30: L5-U30
Title: Research in Counselling
Indicative Subject Content
The development of counselling research
Benefits of, and challenges to, counselling research
Counselling research
Investigating counselling process (e.g. case study)
Evaluating counselling outcomes (e.g. interview, questionnaire, rating scales)
Reflexivity
Comparing two counselling research studies (contrasting approaches)
Evidence Based Practice (EBP); Practice Based Evidence (PBE)
Understanding the Literature Review
Understanding research methodologies – philosophical underpinnings in research (e.g. Case
Study, Action Research, Participatory Research)
Understanding research methods (quantitative and qualitative)
Analysis of data
Fundamental ethical principles
- Nonmaleficence
- Beneficence
- Autonomy
- Justice
- Fidelity
•Ethical guidelines and frameworks (e.g. BACP Ethical framework)
•Ethical issues in research
-Confidentiality (and limits), privacy and anonymity
-Informed consent
-Supervision
-Ethics approval process
-Power and control issues
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-Risks and benefits for participants
-Dual roles
-Transparency and integrity
-Avoiding harm
-Competence
•Identify and discuss a topic of interest for a dissertation
•Identify, discuss and address potential practical issues and ethical dilemmas
•Identify the relevant literature – current and seminal
•Develop a Literature Review
•Develop and submit a research proposal
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Reading list
1. Required reading (3-4 texts only)
Cooper, M. (2008). Essential research findings in counselling and psychotherapy: The facts are
friendly [BACP]. London: SAGE.
Hanley, T., Lennie, C., & West, W. (2013).Introducing counselling & psychotherapy research.
London: SAGE.
McLeod, J. (2013). An introduction to research in counselling and psychotherapy. London: SAGE.
Sanders, P., & Wilkins, P. (2010).First steps in practitioner research: A guide to understanding and
doing research in counselling and health and social care. Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire: PCCS
Books.
2. Recommended reading
Cooper, M., Watson, J. C., &Hölldampf, D. (Eds.) (2010). Person-Centered and experiential
therapies work: A review of the research on counselling, psychotherapy and related practices.
Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire: PCCS Books.
Dallos, R., &Vetere, A. (2005). Researching psychotherapy and counselling. Maidenhead, Berkshire:
Open University Press.
Etherington, K. (2004). Becoming a reflexive researcher: Using our selves in research. London:
Jessica Kingsley.
Loewenthal, D. (2007). Case studies in relational research: Qualitative research methods in
counselling and psychotherapy. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
McLeod, J. (2010). Case study research in counselling and psychotherapy [BACP]. London: SAGE.
McLeod, J. (2011). Qualitative research in counselling and psychotherapy (2nd ed.). London: SAGE.
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Unit L5-U30: Research in counselling Level 5
Unit Title Research in counselling
Level 5
Credit Value 15
Learning Outcomes Assessment Criteria
1. Understand the field of counselling
research
1.1 Review and evaluate key aspects of
counselling research
1.2 Critically compare two research
studies
2. Understand the contribution of the
research literature to an intended research
proposal
2.1 Identify, as an intended research
proposal, a specific topic of interest
2.2 Conduct a literature search on the
specific topic of interest
2.3 Develop a literature review
demonstrating the current body of
knowledge on the specific topic of
interest
3. Understand the contribution of
research methodologies to an intended
research proposal
3.1 Identify research methodologies
relevant to the specific topic of interest
3.2 Develop an awareness of the
importance of data collection in the
production of a research proposal
3.3 Identify the impact of researcher
positioning on the research proposal
4. Understand the ethical implications of
the proposed research
4.1 Identify relevant ethical guidelines
4.2 Clarify the ethical implications of the
intended research proposal
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Externally-assessed research proposal using the proforma provided. 2500-3000 words
This unit will provide candidates with an understanding of the field of counselling research.
The methodological approaches and methods of inquiry used in counselling research will be
studied for the purposes of developing and submitting a research proposal. The research
proposal may involve one or more of the following: exploring, assessing or evaluating
counselling practice and/or a topic relevant to the field.
The overarching aim of the unit is the development and submission of a research proposal
with a view to progressing to the Level 6 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
(Informed by Research)
Unit L5-U31: Synoptic assessment in the practice of counselling Level 5
This assessment unit tests candidates on essential aspects of their knowledge and understanding
from the three other units which comprise this qualification. It is only available to those candidates
who have successfully completed units L4-U10, L5-U29 and L4-U30
Assessment: A 3-hour exam set and marked by AIM. This is a closed-book exam comprising 2
essay questions.
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Unit L6-U32: Counselling research dissertation: Level 6
Title: Counselling Research Dissertation
Indicative Subject Content
Identify and contract with academic supervisor/s
The role of reflexivity in research
Final research proposal preparation and submission to external assessor
Ethics application process
Research Workshops e.g. Referencing, Writing a Literature Review, Ethics, Developing
Participant Information Sheets (PIS) and Consent Forms, Writing workshop, Presentation to
Peers of some aspect of the research process;
Research journal
Log of both academic and clinical supervision processes, including benefits and challenges
and the application of learning
Reading list
1. Required reading
Hanley, T., Lennie, C., & West, W. (2013).Introducing counselling & psychotherapy research.
London: SAGE.
McLeod, J. (2013). An introduction to research in counselling and psychotherapy. London: SAGE.
Rudestam, K. E., & Newton, R. R. (2007). Surviving your dissertation: A comprehensive guide to
content and process (3rd ed.). London: SAGE.
Sanders, P., & Wilkins, P. (2010).First steps in practitioner research: A guide to understanding and
doing research in counselling and health and social care. Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire: PCCS
Books.
2. Recommended reading
Bager-Charleson, S. (2010).Reflective practice in counselling and psychotherapy.Exeter, UK:
Learning Matters.
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Cooper, M. (2008). Essential research findings in counseling and psychotherapy [BACP]. London:
SAGE.
Danchev, D., & Ross, A. (2013). Research ethics for counsellors, nurses and social workers.London:
SAGE.
Etherington, K. (2004). Becoming a reflexive researcher: Using our selves in research. London:
Jessica Kingsley.
Hanley, T., Lennie, C., & West, W. (2013).Introducing counselling & psychotherapy research.
London: SAGE.
Loewenthal, D. (2007). Case studies in relational research: Qualitative research methods in
counselling and psychotherapy. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
McLeod, J. (2010). Case study research in counselling and psychotherapy [BACP]. London: SAGE.
McLeod, J. (2011). Qualitative research in counselling and psychotherapy (2nd ed.). London: SAGE’
Walliman, N. (2004). Your undergraduate dissertation: The essential guide to success. London:
SAGE.
Wright, J., & Bolton, G. (2012). Reflective writing in counselling and psychotherapy.London: SAGE.
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Unit Title Counselling research dissertation
Level 6
Credit value 39
Learning outcomes Assessment criteria
1. Understand the field of counselling
research
1.1 Review and evaluate key aspects of
counselling research
1.2 Critically compare two research
studies
2. Understand the contribution of the
research literature to an intended research
proposal
2.1 Identify, as an intended research
proposal, a specific topic of interest
2.2 Conduct a literature search on the
specific topic of interest
2.3 Develop a literature review
demonstrating the current body of
knowledge on the specific topic of
interest
3. Understand the contribution of
research methodologies to an intended
research proposal
3.1 Identify research methodologies
relevant to the specific topic of interest
3.2 Conduct data collection and analysis
relevant to the specific topic of interest
3.3 Review and discuss the outcomes of
the data collection.
4. Understand the ethical implications of
the proposed research
4.1 Identify relevant ethical guidelines
4.2 Clarify the ethical implications of the
intended research proposal
Assessment requirements: Externally-assessed dissertation based on an approved
research proposal 10,000-12,000 words