Academic Writing

Assignment Brief Due date: Wednesday 26th March Point value: 40% Word count 1,800 words (+/−10%) Description Write an essay that: Evaluate the person-centred approach to counselling (from the humanistic school of theory presented in Week 2); identify the strengths and limitations of the approach, with reference to literature in the field. Reflects upon the use of the person-centred approach in your future counselling practice. Submission guidelines Previously submitted work You are strictly prohibited from incorporating any previously submitted work, in part or in whole, for assessments submitted in this unit (unless permission from the unit coordinator was sought and written permission was provided in Week 1). The assessments should be newly completed to specifically address the current assessment instructions, aiming to enhance your critical thinking, independent research, reflective practice, and understanding of counselling theory specific to this unit. If any previously submitted work is detected via the Turnitin similarity report, it will not be considered for reading or grading by the marker. Introduction: Provide a brief introduction to your assessment in general. Frame the essay for the reader to highlight what is being presented (100 words). Evaluation of the theory: Overview of person-centred approach: Consider the development and main themes/aspects of the person-centred approach. Identify the client populations and presenting issues the therapeutic approach is suited to. (400 words) Strengths of the therapeutic approach: Use literature to justify the relevance of the person-centred approach in contemporary counselling practice. (200 words) Limitations of the therapeutic approach: Use literature to clearly highlight and explain the limitations of the person-centred approach in counselling. (200 words) Reflection: Reflect on one personal experience of the person-centred approach. You are encouraged to use Gibbs’ reflective cycle to inform and/or structure your reflection, but it is not a requirement of the assessment. (800 words) For example, you may reflect on one of the following experiences: the process of researching the person-centred approach for this essay, your experience in an OLC while in the role of the counsellor using the theoretical approach, your experience in an OLC as a client where the student counsellor used the person-centred approach, you may reflect on your own professional experience using the person-centred approach if you are already working as a counsellor (or similar field where your practice is informed by counselling theory- e.g., social work, psychology, school chaplain), your experiences as a client in counselling where the counsellor used the person-centred approach. The reflection should focus on the person-centred approach (not discuss other theoretical approaches) and consider how the person-centred approach could inform your future counselling practice. Consider how the approach connects to your personal beliefs, values and counselling style (how the theory could influence (or be incorporated into) your future counselling practice), as well as your strengths and areas for development in counselling (specific to counselling with the person-centred approach). Conclusion: Briefly summarise the essay to bring the assessment to a close (100 words). Click here to see important tips Learning outcomes By completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your ability to: ULO1: Critically evaluate a range of theoretical counselling approaches across different modalities ULO2: Analyse the characteristics of effective counsellors with particular emphasis on the core principles of humanistic interventions ULO3: Reflect on how personal beliefs, values and style influence counselling practice. Preparation activities The activities in Weeks 1 and 2 will help you prepare for this assessment. Particularly the following: 1.7 Reflective practice 1.8 Gibbs reflective cycle 1.9 Reflective writing 2.5 Types of humanistic therapy 2.7 Strengths and criticisms 2.11 Self-reflection Assessment resources Ensure you understand the general assessment guidelines, requirements and expectations below: Click on the yellow button link below to access the academic skills resources hub page. From this page, you’ll be able to access support resources to help you with academic writing, academic researching and referencing skills. The resource below provides specific tips for reflective writing for counselling. Marking criteria Analysis and application of theory (12.5 marks) Evidence and use of research (7.5 marks) Reflection personal preference (12.5 marks) Academic writing: Clarity, concision, referencing (7.5 marks) For more information, refer to the rubric below.