Counselling, Chaplaincy & Spiritual Care
Professional Development units

At Morling, our mission is to equip men and women with the knowledge that they need to serve God in many different roles: pastoral ministry, in the work place, Christian education, missions work, counselling, and chaplaincy. We also recognise that it is often difficult to stop working in order to pursue further study.  In order to accommodate students who wish to audit a unit (not for credit) specifically for Professional Development, the following units are offered.

UNDERSTANDING UNITS

Our Professional Development units are offered in a variety of ways, including on-campus (in Sydney and Perth), online via Zoom, on-campus intensives and blended intensives. 

  • On-Campus Classes (Sydney and/or Perth) - weekly face-to-face classes held at our Sydney or Perth campuses
  • Live Online (via Zoom) - weekly or fortnightly classes, held online via Zoom
  • Blended Intensives - units with a mixture of both online and on-campus learning e.g. specific online course content modules to be completed before and/or after the 2-3 days of on-campus delivery (note: both the online and on-campus components of these units are compulsory)
  • Intensives - units delivered primarily on-campus (face-to-face delivery) over a number of consecutive days

See the bottom of the page for help with how to enrol for these units.

Professional Development units are suitable for those who are currently trained and working in the areas of Counselling and Chaplaincy & Spiritual Care.

professional development for chaplaincy practitioners

This unit provides a theoretical base for understanding the dynamics of the leadership development process in chaplaincy and spiritual care contexts.  Students will develop an understanding of personality types and their use in recruiting, team building, conflict management, and other interpersonal dynamics in the chaplaincy and spiritual care setting. This unit will provide opportunities for students to analyse their own personal development patterns and leadership style.  Students will examine their own formation as a chaplain, so that they are better equipped to mentor and empower others. This unit analyses leadership patterns of biblical characters and management dynamics as described in the Bible to inform developing leadership styles in chaplaincy and spiritual care contexts.

This unit provides a theoretical framework for students to engage practically in theological reflection within the context of their chaplaincy ministry. It introduces key models of theological reflection in current use and stimulates students toward the creative development of new models of theological reflection for their own use. This unit underscores the importance of reflection on pastoral experience in light of Scripture with a view to integrating faith and practice. Through use of case studies and pastoral encounters from students’ own pastoral practice and published material, the unit will enhance students’ self-understanding and help them develop expertise in applying Scripture appropriately.  The unit will deepen the student’s appreciation for the use of Scripture in pastoral care as an aid to ongoing reflective practice.

During this unit students will examine and appraise contemporary theory and practices of group process. The unit is designed to develop the student’s applied skill and knowledge in group dynamics.  It will assist students to develop the necessary theory, methods, and skills to facilitate psychoeducational groups. Students will learn how to assess and select suitable group members and facilitate a group through the various stages of group development.

This unit explores how chaplaincy and spiritual care can express and embody the church’s role within the community. Students will evaluate and reflect theologically on the relevance of contemporary mission theory to chaplaincy and spiritual care in public and community settings. Students will also explore the difference between ‘spirituality and spiritual care’ and ‘religious spirituality and religious spiritual care’. Students will consider the role of the chaplain and pastoral carer and the sensitivity needed for pastoral/theological engagement.

professional development for therapists and trained counsellors

This unit examines the integration of theological concepts and spirituality with the practice of professional counselling within an ethical framework. Students will critically reflect on issues and topics related to the various dimensions of the person of the counsellor. The student will reflect on the predominant modes of integration between theology and counselling. They will develop a comprehensive, integrated approach to counselling underpinned by a Christian worldview.

The unit will prepare the student in the area of mental health assessment and intervention. It will critically evaluate the factors involved in mental health and wellness and mental distress and illness. It will examine the role of counselling in the field of mental health. The unit will appraise the developments and knowledge from the field of neuroscience and apply this knowledge to the principles of mental health. Students will be familiarised with mental health assessment tools and their application to mental illness and emotional disorders in clients. This unit will examine how to accurately identify and document critical client issues and formulate referral and professional practice strategies.

This unit will prepare students to work with children and adolescents within a range of settings. It introduces the knowledge and skills necessary for those who wish to undertake counselling practice with this client group.  Students will be given opportunity to develop a greater understanding of child and adolescent development including the impact of childhood experiences on development and implications for practice with this client group. Ways of engaging children and adolescents within the therapeutic relationship, suitable counselling interventions and strategies and the legal and ethical implications of working with children and adolescents will be explored. Consideration will also be given to the skills needed to work collaboratively with the parents and/or caregivers of the child or adolescent client.

In this unit students will develop their understanding of the impact of psychological trauma on individuals, families and communities and recognize its culturally appropriate expressions. Students will also apply their knowledge of the current theories and models for understanding, to work with people and groups who have, or are experiencing crisis, psychological trauma, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD and CPTSD).  This will include the neurobiological, psychosocial, and socio-spiritual-cultural elements of trauma.  Students will apply their trauma-informed counselling skills and methods to the specialized assessment and counselling of clients who are experiencing crisis and trauma.  Students will learn how to implement a crisis assessment and will develop practical strategies and interventions to work therapeutically with clients who are experiencing crisis and trauma.

During this unit students will examine and appraise contemporary theory and practices of group process. The unit is designed to develop the student’s applied skill and knowledge in group dynamics.  It will assist students to develop the necessary theory, methods, and skills to facilitate psychoeducational groups. Students will learn how to assess and select suitable group members and facilitate a group through the various stages of group development.

This unit introduces students to a broad range of theoretical approaches and interventions in the field of family counselling with an emphasis on the systemic and relational components commonly associated in working with families. Students will gain an understanding of family development and transitions across the life span, develop insight into theories and models of family functioning and skills for working with diverse families.  Throughout this unit, students are encouraged to develop an increased understanding of their personal values, biases and own family histories that impact their role as a relationship therapist.

This unit of study will further expand on the knowledge and skills developed in COU931 Child and Adolescent Counselling 1 with a focus on the range of presenting issues that may be encountered when working with this client group. Specific therapeutic approaches including the use of practical and creative interventions, and suitable media for working with children and adolescents and ways to determine the most suitable approach will be explored.

Students will be familiarised with indicators and interventions of ASD and ADHD client presentations.  Practical strategies for counselling children and adolescents in the context of family therapy will be explored.

This unit extends on COU934 Relationship Counselling 1 and aims to enhance students’ skills for conceptualising and working with the couple dyad. The emphasis in this unit will be on working with the couple dyad to promote intimacy and connection.  Students will develop an integrated approach to relationship counselling including advanced therapeutic insight and interpersonal skill that fosters personal integration and theoretical coherence. Students will learn to establish a creative and responsive style when working with a range of presentations in relationship therapy utilizing a professional and ethical framework.

HOW TO ENROL 

Casual Enrolments

Casual enrolments are available for anyone who wishes to attend classes, but does not want to complete assessment tasks or gain credit towards an award. You can enrol online for Casual (Audit) Enrolments here.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Have questions about our units? Contact us and we'll be happy to help you get started. 

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