Sexualities and Genders in Counselling and Psychotherapy (P03042)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : HEA-P-PSC

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the practice of psychosexual counselling. It offers an introduction to the main theoretical strands that underpin psychosexual counselling, an examination of the processes involved in the practice and delivery of psychosexual counselling and an analysis of the difference that sexuality makes within the counselling context. Topics include: the context of psychosexual ounselling; the language of sexuality; the examination of value systems and notions of a healthy sexuality; cultural and sociological understandings of sexuality, sexual identity and sexual behaviour, including issues of difference, diversity and power; the range of sexual problems; working with sexuality in the couple relationship. Students are required to draw on their own therapeutic work within class sessions. A feature of the course will be a series of practice sessions in which students use role play to develop their therapeutic skills in working with psychosexual themes in counselling. The ethical and confidentiality issues raised by this are discussed in the first session.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : This is an optional course for postgraduate students in Counselling Studies. It may also be taken by students from other subject areas who have a relevant background in relation to the topic. The course may also be taken by visiting Continuing Professional Development students who are qualified or training in counselling or psychotherapy or who are practitioners in other fields with a relevant background in relation to the topic. Prospective applicants are welcome to contact the course organiser to discuss whether they meet these entrance requirements.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Counselling Studies, (School of Health in Social Science, Schedule D)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) 30 minutes per week for 8 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course students should be able to
- analyse key cultural and sociological understandings of sexuality, sexual identity and sexual behaviour, including issues of difference, diversity and power
- critically appraise the place of psychosexual counselling in current therapeutic thinking and practices
- analyse the main theoretical concepts of psychosexual counselling
- critically appraise how these theoretical ideas inform the practice of counselling in this field
- identify, analyse and evaluate the distinctive features of psychosexual counselling, including the contexts in which this practice takes place
- conceptualise and analyse key themes in the practice of psychosexual counselling with reference to the student's own counsellng practice, within their organisational, professional and personal contexts.

Assessment Information

One 4,000 to 5,000 word essay analysing a key theme in the practice of psychosexual counselling. Students will critically reflect on the practice theme, integrating relevant research and literature, and drawing on thier own therapeutic practice, as relevant.