Assessment Methods in Counselling

Singapore University of Social Sciences

Assessment Methods in Counselling (COU209)

Applications Open: To be confirmed

Applications Close: To be confirmed

Next Available Intake: To be confirmed

Course Types: To be confirmed

Language: English

Duration: 6 months

Fees: To be confirmed

Area of Interest: Social Services

Schemes: To be confirmed

Funding: To be confirmed

School/Department: S R Nathan School of Human Development

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Synopsis

COU 209 Assessment Methods in Counseling is a Level 2 course that focuses on the techniques and various types of assessment strategies used in counselling. This course focuses on assessment information in the helping process and various types of assessment tools (including tests of intelligence, achievement, interests and personality), interpretation and use of assessment results, ethical and social issues, and current developments in assessment for counselling. It is the aim of this course to equip students with the essential knowledge and skills of the different assessment approaches, and to help them apply these knowledge and skills in case formulation and intervention planning. These skills and knowledge will be applied in hypothetical case scenarios during class discussion and role plays, and also during the practicum attachment as part of the degree programme.

Level: 2
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: EVERY REGULAR SEMESTER

Topics

What is assessment?
Do counsellors need to know about assessment?
Types of Tools
Selection of assessment instruments or strategies
Communicating results
Understanding psychological reports
Why is the initial intake Interview important in counselling?
What is an initial intake interview?
Change process
Interviewing techniques
Other strategies used in the initial assessment
Assessing special issues and mental status examination
Models of intelligence
Individual intelligence testing
Group intelligence testing
Issues in intelligence
What is personality?
Informal techniques in assessing personality
Structured inventories
Projective techniques
Case conceptualisation and treatment matching
Goal attainment scale
Ethical issues

Learning Outcome

Review why assessment is an integral part of the counselling process, and what counsellors need to know about assessment
Describe the various tools used in assessing intelligence and personality
Differentiate between formal and informal methods in assessment with regard to standardised tests and instruments
Review techniques to conduct initial intake interviews, and state the strengths and limitations of using interviewing as a technique in assessment
Interpret assessment results for the purpose of case conceptualisation and formulation of intervention plans
Discuss the legal and ethical issues in assessment
Examine and discuss the various problems related to assessment in counselling
Apply the knowledge in assessment to select the appropriate assessment strategies that are case-specific
Develop skills in selecting the appropriate assessment tools