Topics:

• Understanding Counselling Methods and Modalities
  • Overview of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Family-Based Interventions, Person-Centred Interventions, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy interventions.
  • Applications of counselling methods across diverse client contexts (individuals, groups, communities).
• Assessing Risk Factors
  • Identifying potential risks and requirements for different counselling methods.
  • Adapting counselling modalities to cultural, psychological, and social diversity.
  • Using clinical judgment to select and adapt techniques based on client diversity.

Topics:

• Exploring Counselling Interventions
  • Step-by-step process for planning and executing effective counselling interventions.
  • Use of intervention techniques in various counselling scenarios.
    • Client-Centered Interventions
    • Dialogical Interventions in CBT
• Facilitating Insightful Client Conversations to uncover underlying client issues
  • Open-ended questioning techniques for encouraging clients to open up and share deeper insights during sessions.
  • Guiding conversations to uncover underlying client issues

Topics:

• Building Rapport:
  • Techniques to establish trust and foster engagement.
  • The role of empathy, cultural sensitivity, and non-verbal communication.
  • Strategies for maintaining rapport throughout counselling sessions.
• Effective Communication Skills:
  • Active Listening
  • Overcoming Communication Barriers
    • Identify and address potential challenges, such as resistance, misunderstandings, or emotional defenses.
    • Maintain clarity and adaptability in communication strategies.
• Motivational Interviewing (OARS)
• Reflective Listening

Topics:

• Understanding Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication:
  • Key principles of active listening, paraphrasing, and summarizing.
  • Recognizing non-verbal cues such as body language, tone, and facial expressions.
• Applying Socioemotional Objectives in Counselling:
  • Understanding common socioemotional goals such as improving emotional regulation, fostering self-awareness, and enhancing interpersonal relationships.
  • Integrating these objectives into goal-setting discussions.
• Goal Setting and Intervention Selection:
  • Assisting clients in identifying specific and achievable goals.
  • Aligning goals with their socioemotional needs and circumstances.
  • Presenting a range of interventions suited to client goals and preferences.

Topics:

• Monitoring Client Progress and Emotions
  • Techniques for assessing emotional and psychological states.
  • Using reflective tools to track emotional and psychological changes such as mood tracker.
• Adapting Interventions Based on Client Needs
  • Adjusting strategies based on client feedback and needs.
• Aligning therapeutic approaches with evolving client goals.

Topics:

• Identifying and Addressing Crises:
  • Recognizing signs of immediate risk or distress
  • Introduction to Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS).
  • Differentiating between types of crises (e.g., psychological, environmental).
  • Crisis intervention strategies for managing immediate risks.
• Managing Unintended Consequences:
  • Handling adverse outcomes during counselling interventions.
    • Stress-Reduction Techniques (Breathing Exercises).
    • Cognitive Reframing.
    • Time-Out Strategy (Short Break).
  • Strategies to support clients in challenging situations

Topics:

• Best Practices for Documentation:
  • Key elements to include in counselling records.
  • Ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance.
• Reporting Procedures and Standards:
  • Structuring reports for clarity and professional use.

Topics:

• Identifying High-Risk and Sensitive Cases:
  • Recognizing signs of risk that warrant escalation. 
  • Criteria for identifying cases needing intervention from higher authorities. (clinical supervisors, law enforcement)
• Escalation Protocols with Ethical Consideration:
  • Agency-Specific SOPs:
  • Overview of standard operating procedures for escalating high-risk cases.
    • Importance of consulting clinical supervisors and adhering to emergency protocols.
    • Addressing ethical requirements during escalation, such as obtaining informed consent where possible.
  • Interagency Collaboration:
    • Steps for involving external authorities such as police, healthcare providers, or social workers in crises.
    • Communicating client needs effectively while balancing ethical principles, including the duty to warn and the need for discretion.
• Code of Ethics – Singapore Association for Counselling:

Topics:

• Evaluating Counselling Effectiveness:
  • Key indicators of successful counselling outcomes (e.g., goal achievement, client progress).
  • Tools and methods for measuring intervention effectiveness (e.g., progress reviews, client feedback).
• Determining Need for Termination or Continuation:
  • Criteria for concluding counselling upon achieving goals.
  • Recognizing when further intervention is unnecessary or counterproductive.
  • Communicating the decision for termination effectively and empathetically to clients.

Topics:

• Identifying Relevant Stakeholders in the Social Service Ecosystem:
  • Overview of key stakeholders: healthcare providers, mental health specialists, social workers, community organizations, and legal advisors.
  • Mapping client needs to appropriate services (e.g., medical support, financial assistance, or family counselling).
  • Understanding the role of transdisciplinary collaboration in holistic care.
• Effective Referral Processes:
  • Best practices for initiating and coordinating client referrals.
  • Communicating client needs clearly and comprehensively to stakeholders.
• Collaborating with clients to address gaps or unmet needs in referred services