Graduate Certificate in Sexual Abuse Counselling
(Level 7)

This programme provides you with the knowledge and practical skills to work competently, safely and ethically with clients who have experienced sexual abuse and suffered psychological and emotional consequences as a result.

The programme is designed for people who have a minimum of two years field experience.

Please note: Students must enroll directly into the Graduate Certificate in Sexual Abuse Counselling (Level 7) in order to gain this qualification.

As a graduate, you will have the skills and knowledge to:

• Demonstrate a critical understanding of relevant theories and therapeutic models used in the field of sexual abuse counselling
• Evaluate current research in the field of sexual abuse
• Analyse the societal factors that provide the context for sexual abuse to occur
• Identify and apply strategies for assessment and intervention in sexual abuse counselling
• Understand the effects of transference and counter transference in sexual abuse counselling
• Recognise responses and behaviours in clients who may need further referral and assessment
• Show a clear understanding of systems theory with particular emphasis on structural concepts in families and family life cycle theory 

Programme structure

BC7323 Systemic Approaches to Couple & Family Counselling 
(20 Credits)
Aim: To provide a basic working knowledge of the philosophical and practical frameworks that form the basis of the systemic approaches to couple & family Counselling, and to develop a personal understanding of the student's own belief systems and attitudes and boundaries for working with people.

BC7305 Historical Sexual Abuse (20 Credits)
Aim: To provide knowledge of what constitutes childhood sexual abuse, legal factors and theories underpinning the strategies for assessment and
therapeutic intervention.

BC6208 Counselling in the Mental Health Context (20 Credits)
Aim: To develop a critical understanding of the role of the counsellor.

Entry requirements
Applicants are required to have an undergraduate degree or an equivalent qualification, have a minimum of two years full-time employment in a relevant field and be a member of an accredited professional organisation.  For applicants who have English as a second language, a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent is required.

Please click here for additional information on our Counselling programmes.