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8 months
Blended (online learning materials with required on-campus Practical Intensive Workshops for online students)
Blended / Online / On Campus · 10 hours of study per week per subject (three hours facilitated and seven self-directed)
19 Feb 2026 | 01 Jun 2026 | 14 Sep 2026
Course Overview
Where You Can Study
Surry Hills
Eligibility
Career & Study Pathways
Quality & Recognition
Academic Regulator
TEQSA
Professional Body
Australian Counselling Association (ACA) / PACFA
Accreditation Status
AccreditedSkills Assessor
ACA / PACFA
Course Content
Advanced Therapeutic Communication
Explores the nature of interpersonal communication including different communication channels and barriers to effective communication. Covers self-perception, culture, listening, reflection, power in interpersonal relationships, confidentiality, and duty of care. Students demonstrate micro-skills, attending and communication process skills, verbal and non-verbal communication, nuanced listening and reflecting skills, and the use and abuse of questions.
Theoretical Approaches to Counselling
Introduces a variety of counselling approaches including Person-centred Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Solution Focused techniques, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Mindfulness based practice. Includes required on-campus Practical Intensive Workshops with two weekend sessions per trimester.
Life Stages and Development
Introduces developmental psychology and explores human behaviour, motivation, and links between developmental experience and trauma. Examines key life stages from birth to death, theories of attachment, cognitive and social development, and the influences of biology, gender, culture, ethnicity and socio-political contexts.
Self Care & Developing Resilience
Covers principles of social, emotional, physical and psychological wellbeing as they relate to health behaviours. Students analyse capacity building and promotion of wellbeing, explore vicarious trauma and burnout, and develop a cohesive self-care plan suitable to future industry practice.
Common Questions
As part of the Graduate Certificate of Counselling, you are required to complete at least 40 hours of experiential practical skills training at campus-based Practical Intensive Workshops within the subject TAC402 (Theoretical Approaches to Counselling). If studying online, these workshops are required attendance on campus. There are two weekend sessions per trimester (Saturday and Sunday), held at the end of Weeks 6 and Week 12, running from 9:00am to 6:00pm AEST each day (with breaks).
There are no formal exams in the Graduate Certificate of Counselling. Assessments may include activity-based assignments or online quizzes, and vary by subject — for example, demonstrations, journals, reports, posters, video reports, presentations, and essays.
After completing the Graduate Certificate of Counselling, you can progress to the Graduate Diploma of Counselling (8 core subjects, 1 year full time or 2 years part time) or the Master of Counselling (8 core subjects, 1.5 years full time or 3 years part time). Both are available to domestic students only and delivered in a blended mode.
Eligible Australian students may choose to defer some or all of their tuition fees through FEE-HELP, a loan scheme repaid through the tax system based on income. To be eligible, you must be enrolled with an approved provider, meet citizenship and residency requirements (e.g. Australian citizen, New Zealand Special Category Visa holder meeting long-term residency criteria, or a permanent humanitarian visa holder), be enrolled by the census date, and not have exceeded the FEE-HELP limit.
Torrens University's counselling programs are underpinned by their heritage with the Jansen Newman Institute, ensuring students learn from more than 40 years of counselling experience. The counselling academics understand where the mental health industry is heading and guide students on their learning journey.
Application
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Step 01
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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!
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India
Master of Nursing · Griffith University
