Are You An Accidental Counsellor?

Have you ever found yourself acting in the role of counsellor to a friend or family member, wondering whether you’re a help or a hindrance?

A new and unique short course, offered at TAFE NSW Griffith, is aimed at empowering ordinary citizens to reach out to those in distress.

The one-day Statement of Attainment in Accidental Counselling course delivered by virtual classroom will commence on May, 17 and 31 and offer basic counselling skills to residents who are not trained mental health professionals but often find themselves thrust into a “de facto counselling” role by friends, family, colleagues or clients.

It comes after a pandemic that had profound impacts on the mental well-being of the community and an economic squeeze, with Lifeline, Kids Helpline and BeyondBlue all reporting spikes in people seeking help compared to pre-COVID levels.

TAFE NSW counselling teacher Melissa Saunders, who delivers the course, said “accidental counsellors” played an even more critical role in times of public uncertainty.

“In the current climate, with all the uncertainties and stresses, more and more people are being asked to have difficult conversations with others in distress or crisis,” Ms Saunders said.

“This course gives you a framework on how to facilitate those difficult conversations in a supportive way.

“It arms students with the basic skills to tune in and listen to someone in distress in a really engaging way.”

Ms Saunders, who has worked as a bereavement counsellor, relationship counsellor and child and adolescent counsellor said they were practical, hands-on skills that would stay with students for life and be adaptable to both personal and professional situations.

The course will cover topics including active listening techniques, different counselling approaches, and the importance of boundaries and self-care.

Other topics covered by the course include limit setting and boundaries, dealing with crises, and debriefing.

• Topics:

• TAFE NSW
• Education
• Mental Health and Welbeing