Counselling Concepts and Theories

BHW501

This online course introduces the concept of counselling and the different disciplines in which counselling operates including addiction. It provides a foundation for understanding counselling skills, theory and practice. This includes knowledge of key counselling theoretical perspectives, counselling process and micro-skills, whaiora-counsellor relationship, codes of ethics, addiction referral processes, supervision, and self-reflection.

  •  
    Level
    5
  •  
    Credits
    15
  •  
    Cost
    $722 NZ Domestic
  •  
    EFTS
    0.125
  • Delivery type
    Online only
  • Teaching weeks 16 weeks
  • Workload Approximately 10 hours per week
  •  
    Prerequisites Check entry and other requirements under the qualification you are studying

Students are introduced to ethically sound practice that is culturally responsive and based on collaborative ways of working that address power and influence issues. Students will focus specifically on two or three modalities relevant to their professional practice.

It examines the relevance of the Treaty of Waitangi when working with Māori clients in Aotearoa New Zealand. The course also considers counselling in relation to a wider context of a culturally diverse environment. This course will benefit those seeking knowledge of counselling skills and/or knowledge of effective and ethical relational processes to use when working with people or clients in problem-solving

For more information watch the course introduction video below.

Learners who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  • Differentiate between the diverse fields of practice involving counselling.
  • Explain a range of theories in relation to counselling, especially in terms of goals, concepts, and techniques including therapeutic group facilitation and process skills.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of counselling practice including engagement, counsellor-client relationship, code of ethics, counselling process and skills, referral, supervision and self-reflection.
  • Analyse issues related to counselling in the wider context of a culturally diverse environment including Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Assessment

This course is 100% internally assessed 

Computer and internet requirements

To complete this course you will need access to a laptop or desktop computer, reliable broadband internet connection and a data plan able to support online learning such as streaming of videos (including YouTube), downloading content, and writing and submitting online assessments. If you are unsure if your current computer or internet access allows you to complete your online learning with us, please contact us before applying to enrol.

Work towards

You can do this course as part of these qualifications:

Graduate Certificate

Course availability over the next 12 months

Nov
Dec
2025
Jan
Feb

February enrolment dates

Enrol by -
Course starts -
Course ends -
11 Feb 2025
24 Feb 2025
15 Jun 2025
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct

October enrolment dates

Enrol by -
Course starts -
Course ends -
7 Oct 2025
20 Oct 2025
8 Feb 2026
  •  
    Level
    5
  •  
    Credits
    15
  •  
    Cost
    $722 NZ Domestic
  •  
    EFTS
    0.125
  • Delivery type
    Online only
  • Teaching weeks 16 weeks
  • Workload Approximately 10 hours per week
  •  
    Prerequisites Check entry and other requirements under the qualification you are studying