Family counselling uses psychotherapy principles and techniques to address problems that hamper healthy family functioning by looking at family interactions as a whole. Techniques used by family counsellors include communication therapy, psychotherapy, relationship counselling, reality therapy, attachment-focused family therapy and even media and communications psychology. Now you can see why families in Melbourne would prefer that their counsellors have a variety of counselling courses under their belt.
The important thing to remember about family counselling is that it’s not about apportioning blame, but rather about approaching family interactions and interrelationships from a holistic point of view.
Family counselling can be used to help families through a variety of problems, from delinquency in children to an impending divorce and grief. It can also be used to help families where one or more members suffer from some form of physical or mental illness. The result is that family counsellors need skills related to group counselling, social work, youth counselling and bereavement counselling, most of which can be gained through courses in Melbourne.
Types of counselling courses in Melbourne
The Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors (AIPC) offers some of the best counselling courses in Australia from its locations in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. The counselling courses offered by the AIPC are recognised by the Australian Counselling Association. Counselling courses available in Melbourne include Vocational Graduate Counselling courses in addictions, family therapy, and grief and loss, as well as Diploma of Counselling and Bachelor of Counselling.
The Diploma of Counselling includes courses on the counselling process, personality, learning and development theories, cognitive behavioural therapy and relationship and family therapy. Bachelor of Counselling, which allows you to begin your career as a counsellor in Melbourne, includes courses on developmental psychology, social frameworks, ethics, law and counselling, family therapy, group work, and working with children and adolescents.
The Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP) offers counselling courses in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Adelaide, including Diploma of Counselling, Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Counselling), Graduate Diploma of Counselling and Master of Applied Social Science (Counselling).
The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology offers counselling courses through its short and single course system, such as Case Work, Counselling, and Advocacy (Social Work Theory and Practice II).
You have a lot of choices if you want to study counselling in Melbourne. For example, you could take full-time classroom-based TAFE counselling diplomas or degrees or you could register for part-time online courses. Many TAFE institutes and universities now offer hybrid courses, so you still get personal interaction with lecturers and fellow students but still have the flexibility to download study material and complete assignments online. Whichever option you choose, ensure that your course provider is properly accredited and recognised by national authorities.