COUN6103: Person and Practice of the Therapist
COUN6103: PERSON AND PRACTICE OF THE THERAPIST
1. UNIT DESCRIPTION
This unit advances students’ understanding of self and their development, and the impact
of these on their professional development as counsellors and psychotherapists. Students
are provided with the opportunity to develop and apply foundational counselling skills
and processes. Significant emphasis is placed on building students’ self-awareness and
critical reflexivity, as they begin developing an evolving professional identity as
counsellors and psychotherapists.
ACAP classes are an open space for the critical and civil exchange of ideas, and this Unit
will include topics that may be difficult for you to confront or discuss. If you feel
uncomfortable discussing certain content during class, please seek the support of your
educator or fellow students in the first instance. Additional free and confidential
counselling support is available on all ACAP campuses. Please visit
https://www.acap.edu.au/student-resources/support-services/counselling-support/ for
further information on the ACAP Counselling Support Service and external supports
including Lifeline, Beyond Blue, MensLine, and others.
Introduction
COUN6103: Person and Practice of the Therapist is a foundational unit that focuses on understanding the self as a central instrument in the therapeutic process. The course invites students to explore how their personal history, values, emotions, and worldview influence their developing identity as counsellors and psychotherapists. By emphasizing self-awareness, personal growth, and critical reflexivity, this unit helps students recognize that who they are profoundly affects how they engage, listen, and respond to clients in practice.
Through experiential learning, reflective exercises, and skills-based training, students develop and apply core counselling competencies, such as active listening, empathy, and presence. These foundational abilities are not only technical but deeply relational, encouraging students to cultivate authenticity, compassion, and ethical awareness in every therapeutic encounter.
Additionally, the unit provides a safe and open environment for discussing sensitive and sometimes challenging topics related to human behavior and emotion. This approach strengthens emotional resilience, encourages openness, and supports professional maturity. Students are also guided to seek support when needed, reinforcing the value of self-care and emotional well-being as essential components of sustainable practice.
Ultimately, Person and Practice of the Therapist equip students with the insight and practical grounding to begin forming a professional identity rooted in self-knowledge, ethical integrity, and reflective practice, the hallmarks of an effective and empathetic therapist.
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