Introduction to Counselling Practices

This course helps students develop the foundational skills necessary for providing therapeutic counselling in an addictions or mental health treatment setting. Students will learn about the theory and practice of rapport and relationship building as well as the ethical framework within which addictions and mental health counselling is practiced. In particular, opportunities will be provided to develop skills and techniques in Person-Centred counselling and Brief, Solution-focused counselling. Throughout the course, students will be asked to reflect on the safe and effective use of self (SEUS) in the therapeutic relationship. Emphasis in the course will be place on experiential learning in order to provide students with opportunities to develop their emerging counselling skills.