Unit Outline

This unit focuses on the issues and challenges, both in theory and practice, of working with clients in the context of their intimate personal relationships. Students will have the opportunity to develop their thinking and skills in working systemically with more than one person. Introductory material will provide a framework for thinking about relationships and family of origin and will introduce students to various theoretical approaches to working with families and couples. This unit will emphasise the development of skills associated with working with families and couples facing particular challenges and problems through exploring practical counselling interventions.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Describe the theoretical constructs that underpin relationship counselling, including and the exploration of interrelationships between the individual, the family system, and the wider system.
2	Evaluate a range of issues impacting on couples and families, that can influence the counselling process.
3	Apply evidence based skills in working with couples and families.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Concurrent Pre-requisite	KHA501

Alterations as a result of student feedback

As always, the teaching team will greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit in 2026, and formally through the University of Tasmania’s Unit Survey following your completion of the unit.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Case Study Analysis	Week 6	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Case Scenario and Reflection Task	Week 11	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Discussion Board Participation	Week 13	20 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 4:	Practice Skills log sheet	Week 14	0 %	LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Case Study Analysis

Task Description:

You will be provided with a case study detailing a couple presenting for relationship counselling. Your task is to:
• Identify the presenting issues for the couple
• Identify the various individual traits that may impact on the counselling process
• Provide a brief intervention plan outlining how you will approach the issues

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate knowledge in relation to couple therapy and the systems and dynamics of the couple	LO1, LO2
2	Demonstrate knowledge of the theories that relate to couple and relationship counselling	LO1, LO3
3	Demonstrate knowledge in relation to the counselling process and ethical therapy	LO1, LO2, LO3
4	Clarity of writing and expression of knowledge	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 2: Case Scenario and Reflection Task

Task Description:

You will be provided with a case study depicting a family counselling scenario. Using Family Systems Theory, you will be required to identify a key strategy for intervention. You will then be required to submit a reflective statement on the reasoning for your approach and intended therapeutic outcomes.

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Week 11

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate knowledge in relation to Family Systems	LO1
2	Identify and apply relevant theories of families and relationships to develop intervention strategies	LO1, LO2
3	Evaluate the influence of family rules on the family system	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 3: Discussion Board Participation

Task Description:

Participation in weekly discussion questions on MyLO. Each week, a reading and discussion question will be posted. You will engage in online discussion to enhance learning and sharing of knowledge on the selected topic. At the end of the semester, you are required to submit a written reflection on your Discussion board participation. Your reflection must draw on the learning you have gained from participation in discussions, both through the application of your own knowledge and from reading peer responses.

For your written reflection, please answer the following:
Please identify and reflect on your most impactful learning experience from the discussion board (this may refer to your overall participation or an individual topic). How did this impact your skills and knowledge of counselling for couples and families?
600 words

Task Length:

600 words

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply evidence and theory to relationship counselling presentations and processes.	LO1
2	Identify and discuss professional strengths and limitations in the context of relationship counselling.	LO2

Assessment Task 4: Practice Skills log sheet

Task Description:

During semester you are required to participate in practical skills workshops and other interactive tasks. You are required to keep a log sheet of your practice skills hours for each unit. Participation in practice skills hours is an important part of the requirements for an accredited counselling course.

You are required to undertake a minimum 10 hours of counselling practice skills aligned with accreditation standards and 2 x minimum 100 word reflections. One of these reflections must focus on your role play experiences. The other reflection must focus on your experiences of group interactions within the workshops or live online discussions.

Further information regarding how to log your practice skills hours and what tasks you may include in your log sheet will be provided via MyLO at the beginning of semester.

This task is a HURDLE task which you must pass in order to pass the unit.

Task Length:

10 hours of counselling skills practice aligned with accreditation standards and 2 x minimum 100-word reflections.

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

0 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply knowledge and counselling skills to address client needs.	LO2
2	Engage reflective skills to critically evaluate your own counselling knowledge and counselling skills.	LO3

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.