Course

Counselling Theory and Practice I

Faculty
Applied Community Studies
Department
Social Work
Course code
SOWK 2122
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
35
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Seminar
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This methods course introduces students to the foundation skills of interviewing and counselling. It emphasizes the importance of versatility in working with individuals in social work settings. Students will explore and apply interviewing and counselling skills for developing relationships, goal setting, and problem solving. Using a strengths approach, students will reflect on their interactions with others and explore ways to promote self-determination and empowerment. An awareness of working with Indigenous people will be explored along with people from various cultural backgrounds and identities.
Course content

Course content will be guided by research, empirical knowledge, and best practices. The following values and principles, consistent with professional standards, inform course content.

  • Skill versatility enables social workers to customize their approach based on the culture, personal identity, and other factors in which people define themselves.  
  • An understanding of the intersectionality of the client's experience is fundamental to developing conditions for change.
  • Effective counselling and interviewing is empowering and incorporates anti-racism and anti-colonial principles; it builds on clients’ strengths and their inherent capacity for growth and change.
  • Skill is necessary but insufficient for competent practice.  Technical proficiency must be balanced with a caring attitude and an affirmation of client rights.
  • Effective counselling work is collaborative; counsellors involve and consult with clients regarding their respective roles, the purpose of the work, and methods that will be used.
  • Effective practitioners know how, when and why a given skill is used, and they have the assertiveness, understanding, creativity and sensitivity to use it when appropriate.
Learning activities

Lecture
Instructor demonstration
Practice simulations
Small group discussion

Means of assessment

Evaluations will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College Evaluation Policy and will include both formative and summative components.  Instructors may use a student's record of attendance and/or level of active participation in a course as part of the student's graded performance.  Where this occurs, expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation will be clearly defined in the Instructor Course Outline.  

This course will conform to Douglas College policy regarding the number and weighting of evaluations. Typical means of assessment may include some or all of the following:

  • Written papers
  • Exams
  • Presentations (individual or group)
  • Attendance
  • Participation
Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate self-awareness in relation to their own social locations, identities, assumptions and how these may influence their interactions with clients.

2.  Analyze and address colonial narratives that may be embedded in the counselling relationship and the implications of the dominant Euro-Western worldview.  Describe the inherent strengths and resiliency of Indigenous people.

3.  Identify and address the prejudices and violence experienced by people based on their personal identities.

4.  Identify and address how individual challenges are related to larger issues of racism and oppression.

5.  Examine the connection between environmental sustainability, social indicators of health, and individual wellbeing.

6.  Demonstrate knowledge of basic communication and responding skills and the elements of a strengths based approach to promote the empowerment of people.

7.  Assess potential contradictions between formal codes of ethics, employment responsibilities, and the best interests of the client. 

  

Textbook materials

Textbooks and materials are to be purchased by students. A list of required textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of the semester. 



Requisites

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for SOWK 2122
Simon Fraser University (SFU) No credit

Course Offerings

Fall 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
35
Currently enrolled
0
Remaining seats:
35
On waitlist
0
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. C
Room
C1004
Times:
Start Time
8:30
-
End Time
10:20
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. B
Room
B2320
Times:
Start Time
8:30
-
End Time
10:20
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. B
Room
B2168
Times:
Start Time
8:30
-
End Time
10:20
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. B
Room
B2320
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. B
Room
B2168
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
Section notes

SOWK 2122 001 is restricted to BSW students.