University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

(Revised November 2002)

Code: USPJK4-15-M Title: Professional and Ethical Issues in Counselling Psychology Version: 3

Level: UWE credit rating: 15 ECTS credit rating: 7.5

Module type: Standard

Owning Faculty: Applied Sciences Field:

Valid from: September 2006 Discontinued from:

Pre-requisites: None

Co-requisites: None

Excluded combinations: None

Learning outcomes:

    When they have successfully completed this module, students should be able to demonstrate:

    1. a critical appreciation of the philosophical bases of ethical and professional practice;

    2. an ability to critically evaluate, compare and apply current professional body codes of ethics;

    3. a critical understanding of the legal context of counselling psychology practice;

    4. a critical appreciation of the ethical considerations involved in specific clinical issues and dilemmas;

    5. a critical understanding of the issues involved in ethical and professional practice in the context of social difference and inequality;

    6. an ability to critically reflect on the stages and difficulties in ethical decision making and action;

    7. a critical appreciation of the specific issues and dilemmas of ethical practice in different work contexts;

    8. an ability to reflect critically on specific ethical dilemmas in counselling psychology practice, supervision, training and research.

Syllabus outline:

    Contexts for ethical and professional practice: philosophical and ethical traditions; professional body codes and guidelines (BPS, BACP, UKCP, EFPA, EAP, EAC): legal considerations.

    Clinical issues and ethical dilemmas. Issues of diversity and ethical practice. Processes of ethical decision making.

    Professional and Ethical issues in different work contexts.

    Ethical and Professional issues in supervision, training and research.

Teaching and learning methods:

    Short inputs via lecture, video and guided reading; discussion groups; small group work using specific ethical dilemmas and scenarios.

Reading Strategy

All students will be encouraged to make full use of the print and electronic resources available to them through membership of the University. These include a range of electronic journals and a wide variety of resources available through web sites and information gateways. The University Library’s web pages provide access to subject relevant resources and services, and to the library catalogue. Many resources can be accessed remotely. Students will be presented with opportunities within the curriculum to develop their information retrieval and evaluation skills in order to identify such resources effectively.

This guidance will be available either in the module handbook, via the module information on UWEonline or through any other vehicle deemed appropriate by the module/programme leaders.

    Y. Bates & R. House (eds.) [2003] Ethically Challenged Professions: Enabling Innovation and Diversity in Psychotherapy and Counselling, Ross on Wye; PCCS Books

    T. Bond [2000] Standards and Ethics for Counselling in Action, London; Sage, 2nd. ed.

    C. Feltham & I. Horton (eds.) [2000] Handbook of Counselling and Psychotherapy, London; Sage, part 4 on professional issues, pp. 190 - 272.

    L. Gabriel [2005] Speaking the Unspeakable, Hove; Routledge

    C. Shillito-Clarke [1996] "Ethical Issues in Counselling Psychology", in R. Woolfe & W. Dryden (eds.) Handbook of Counselling Psychology, London; Sage, pp. 555-580

    P. Jenkins [2005] "Client Confidentiality and Data Protection" in R. Tribe & J. Morrissey (eds.) Handbook of Professional and Ethical Practice, Hove; Brunner - Routledge, pp. 63 - 76

    P. Jenkins [2005] "The Legal Context of Therapy" In R. Tribe & J. Morrissey (eds.) Handbook of Professional and Ethical Practice, Hove; Brunner-Routledge, pp. 77-90.

    R. Tribe & J. Morrissey (eds.) [2005] Handbook of Professional and Ethical Practice for Psychologists, Counsellors and Psychotherapists Hove; Brunner-Routledge

Assessment

Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 100% B:

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A (controlled) Element weighting

EX

Examination requiring reflective responses to professional scenarios and ethical dilemmas (2 Hours)

1

 

  

  

 

  

  

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

   

 

  

  

 

  

  

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes )

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

EX

Examination requiring reflective responses to professional scenarios and ethical dilemmas (2 Hours)

1

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

     
 

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes .

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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