CHCCSL502A - Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skillsCHCCSL502AApply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills

Descriptor

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use advanced interpersonal communication skills to facilitate the client-counsellor relationship in a counselling practice

Application

These skills are intended for application in a counselling interview to ensure client-counsellor communication is effective and to enhance client development and growth

Employability Skills

This unit contains Employability Skills

Elements define the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

The Performance Criteria specify the level of performance required to demonstrate achievement of the Element. Terms in italics are elaborated in the Range Statement.

EVIDENCE GUIDE

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this unit of competency:

The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills

This unit will be most appropriately assessed in the workplace or in a simulated work context and under the normal range of workplace conditions

It is recommended that assessment or information for assessment will be conducted or gathered over a period of time and cover the normal range of workplace situations and settings

Access and equity considerations:

All workers in community services should be aware of access, equity and human rights issues in relation to their own area of work

All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment

In recognition of particular issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Context of and specific resources for assessment:

This unit can be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice is encouraged with other units of competency relating to counselling practice

Resources required for assessment include access to:

an appropriate workplace and/or simulation of realistic work environment where assessment can take place

Method of assessment:

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, competency should be demonstrated in a range of situations which must include observation of performance in an actual workplace or in a setting that realistically simulates work conditions:

observation should include key aspects described in elements, performance criteria and relevant aspects of the Range Statement of the unit

where face-to-face observation is not possible, video recordings may be provided

In addition assessment methods may include

written questioning

role play

supervised/guided discussion

candidate's critique of their 'performance' to demonstrate cognitive understanding of theory

RANGE STATEMENT

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Work in the industry includes:

General counselling

Specialist counselling

Components of the communication process must include:

Encoder

Decoder

Primary factors must include:

Context

Participants

Rules

Messages

Channels

Noise

Feedback

Communication barriers may include:

Environmental

Physical

Individual perceptions

Cultural issues

Language

Age issues

Micro-skills must include:

Attending behaviours - active listening, reflection of content feeling, summarising

Questioning skills - open, closed, simple and compound questions

Client observation skills

Noting and reflecting skills

Providing client feedback

Communication techniques may include:

The appropriate technique for the stage of interview

The proficiency level of the counsellor as an empathic communicator

The communication strategies (micro-skills) utilised by the counsellor

The use of non-verbal communication

Client development and growth may include:

Change in client behaviour that aids in the achievement of their goals

Change in client thought patterns that facilitates the achievement of their goals

A broadening of self-awareness as reported by the client

A shift occurs in the client's feelings that facilitates change in the direction of their goals