Course Overview

About This Course

Our Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy invites you to explore the complexities of the human mind, using diverse disciplinary perspectives including scientific, philosophical and spiritual disciplines. Beyond academic learning, the course focuses on understanding human emotion and thought, enhancing your ability to connect with and help others on a deeper level. Throughout the course, you will develop fundamental skills essential for counselling and psychotherapy. This includes learning ethical, culturally sensitive, and collaborative practices to design early intervention programs tailored to client goals and individual diversity. The course also includes a clinical placement. This invaluable hands-on experience allows you to apply your classroom learning to real-world scenarios, enriching your theoretical knowledge and preparing you for professional work after graduation.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Adelaide

Level 3, 127 Rundle Mall, Adelaide, SA 5000

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic Students:

Recent Senior Secondary Education: Completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (Year 12) or its equivalent within the past two years.
Applicants with Higher Education (HE) study: Successful completion (or partial completion) of a higher education qualification.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) study: Completion of a vocational qualification at Certificate III level or higher.
Work/Life experience: Left senior secondary education more than two years prior to application and have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then; eligible based on professional or work experience and/or non-formal courses taken in preparation for tertiary study or relevant to the subject area.
All domestic applicants must submit a written admission statement outlining their reasons for pursuing the Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy.

International Students – Academic Requirements:

Recent Senior Secondary Education: Completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (Year 12) or its equivalent within the past two years; an ATAR of 65 is required for guaranteed entry.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) study: Completion of a vocational qualification at Diploma level or higher.
Work/Life experience: Left senior secondary education more than two years prior to application and have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then; eligible based on professional or work experience and/or non-formal courses.
All applicants must complete the Learner Questionnaire found in the Application Form, demonstrating their inherent qualities and motivations to succeed in the course.
Applicants may also be asked to participate in an informal interview with an Ikon representative.
Must submit a written admission statement outlining reasons for pursuing the Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy.

International Students – English Language Requirements:

IELTS score of 6.5 (Academic) with no less than 6.5 in Speaking and no less than 6.0 in Listening, Writing, and Reading, or equivalent.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

The Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy prepares graduates for an exciting career as an entry-level counsellor, case manager, intake counsellor, welfare counsellor, program coordinator, disability support worker or counsellor support worker. You may find opportunities in a diverse range of organisations including mental health facilities, rehabilitation centres, social service agencies, schools, and non-profit organisations.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

ASQA

Professional Body

Australian Counselling Association (ACA) / PACFA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

ACA / PACFA

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units8 units

SOC101

Integrative Psychotherapy in Theory

Sets the foundation for knowledge and skills in counselling and integrative arts therapy practice, introducing a comprehensive theoretical framework encompassing person-centred and experiential psychotherapy, Eastern and Indigenous practices and psychodynamic interpersonal therapy.

COU102

Integrative Psychotherapy in Practice

Focuses on building essential knowledge and core skills required for counselling and therapeutic practice through one-to-one therapeutic interactions with peers, applying foundation and intermediate counselling skills in various situations.

COU103

Models of Contemporary Practice

Develops understanding of the main theoretical perspectives and models that influence therapeutic practice, covering psychodynamic, humanistic-existential, experiential-emotion-focused therapy, cognitive behavioural, transpersonal and soul centred, post-modern, and integrative schools.

COU104

Ethics in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice

Develops awareness and understanding of the ethical and legal issues critical to counselling and psychotherapy practice, including ethical principles, theories and frameworks, relevant legislation and professional codes of ethics within the Australian professional landscape.

COU105

Mental Health and Crisis Management

Explores the varied experiences of consumers using mental health services in Australia, the cultural evolution of perceptions regarding normal and abnormal behaviour, and the DSM, while developing skills to effectively respond to clients in mental health crises.

SOC106

Embracing Culture, Diversity and Inclusion

Explores the ethical foundations of individual worldviews and provides knowledge, skills and awareness required to engage in ethical and culturally mindful therapeutic practices, including cross-cultural skills for working with diverse populations.

COU107

Case Conceptualisation

Introduces the practice of case conceptualisation in clinical settings, guiding treatment planning and interventions, with emphasis on short-term treatment planning and developing hypotheses about the client's reasons for seeking therapy and their underlying needs.

COU108

Supervised Practice A

The first professional experience subject designed to integrate coursework within a supervised work-based setting, providing 120 placement hours at a host organisation to apply theoretical and reflective learning to counselling and psychotherapy practice.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How many subjects do I need to complete for the Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy?

You must successfully complete 8 subjects, totalling 48 credit points, to complete the Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy. The course also includes 1 supervised placement experience totalling 120 hours.

Is there a clinical placement included in the Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy?

Yes, the course includes a supervised clinical placement of 120 hours at a host organisation (Supervised Practice A). This hands-on experience allows you to apply your classroom learning to real-world scenarios, enriching your theoretical knowledge and preparing you for professional work after graduation.

Can I study the Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy online?

Domestic students may study the full course online. International students may study up to one-third of the subjects in a course online. The course is available on-campus in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney, as well as fully online for domestic students.

Does the Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy provide a pathway to further study?

Yes, graduates of the Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy can advance directly into the second year of the Bachelor of Counselling and Psychotherapy. Eligible applicants will be guaranteed 48 credit points out of a total of 144 points for the Bachelor of Counselling and Psychotherapy.

What are the course fees for the Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy?

The indicative course fee for the Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy for domestic students is $22,000 for 1 year full-time study. FEE-HELP is available for eligible applicants. Please note that indicative course fees are an estimate only and may vary.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

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Step 02

Submit Documents

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Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $60,000 to $75,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $75,000 to $90,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $90,000 to $105,000 per year

Career Paths

Mental Health CounsellorYouth Counsellor / School CounsellorFamily and Relationship CounsellorDrug and Alcohol Counsellor (AOD Counsellor)Trauma Counsellor

Key Skills

Active listening and reflective communicationBuilding therapeutic rapport and trust with clientsApplying counselling theories and frameworks (CBT, person-centred, psychodynamic, narrative)Crisis intervention and risk assessmentTrauma-informed and culturally safe practice

Full Course Overview

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