VERN3100 Relatinonal skills and Mental Health Course description

Relational skills, interdisciplinary cooperation and counselling functions are key aspects of social educators’ professional practice. This course emphasises the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation.

The course will also give students knowledge of mental healthcare, different diagnoses and consequences for users’ everyday lives. Various forms of evidence-based treatment measures are also emphasised.

Passed all parts of the following courses: VERN1400/VERND1400

After completing the topics relational skills and interdisciplinary collaboration (1) and mental healthcare (2), the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student:

• has broad insight into the concept of counselling, as well as important phases in counselling (1)
• has knowledge of ethical challenges associated with counselling work (1)
• is capable of explaining important factors for establishing and maintaining relationships (1)
• is capable of describing factors that can promote cooperation, trigger conflicts and resolve conflicts (1)
• is capable of explaining the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation (1)
• has knowledge of expedient facilitation of counselling, meetings and group work (1)
• has knowledge of preventive and health-promoting factors that can improve users’ mental health and quality of life (2)
• has knowledge of mental diagnoses, diagnostic criteria and symptoms (2)
• has knowledge of how mental disorders affect the everyday lives of patients/users (2)
• is familiar with various forms of treatment and services available to people with different mental disorders (2)
• is capable of explaining certain evidence-based treatments in relation to specific groups (2)
• has knowledge of the legal basis for services, with particular emphasis on the Act relating to the Provision and Implementation of Mental Health Care (the Mental Health Care Act) (2)

Skills

The student

• has the skills required to create good relationships with relevant partners (1)
• is capable of planning and carrying out a counselling meeting (1)
• is capable of using different methods and tools in adapted exercises (1)
• is capable of contributing to professional reflection through active listening, expedient questions and constructive feedback (1)
• is capable of demonstrating counselling skills, and is capable of receiving and making use of feedback on his/her own conduct (1)
• is capable of demonstrating motivational skills in groups (1)
• is capable of demonstrating expedient skills in accepting constructive feedback or opposition in groups (1)

Competence

The student

• is capable of using suitable relational skills that help to promote interdisciplinary cooperation (1)
• is capable of using skills that are relevant to a counsellor, chair of a meeting, or group leader (1)
• is capable of explaining the requirements that apply to preparatory and follow-up work, as well as further follow-up of a counselling process (1)
• has knowledge of mental health problems, diagnostic criteria and consequences to the everyday lives of people who suffer from these disorders (2)
• has knowledge of different services, evidence-based treatments and methods that can help people to cope with their everyday lives (2)
• is familiar with the legal basis for the services offered to the target group, and is capable of discussing relevant ethical challenges presented by the design of the services (2)
• is capable of discussing ethical problems relating to diagnosing and designing services for people with mental disorders (2)

The course comprises lectures, self-study and group work. During group work, students will make a video recording documenting basic counselling skills. All the groups must present their video to the lecturer.

The students will also be divided into seminar groups. The seminars total approximately eight hours, and participation is compulsory. Here, the students will present their assessments relating to specific cases, examples of ethical dilemmas, and facilitate discussions. It is up to the groups to request supervision from the lecturer.

The following required coursework must be approved before a student can receive a final assessment:

• participation in group work with skills exercises (1)
• one individual subject/reflection note to be submitted via Canvas. Scope: 2 pages (1)
• participation in a group presentation of an individual video (1)
• participation in group work (2)

Supervised individual written exam,4 hours, relating to mental healthcare.

None

A grade scale with grades from A to E for pass and F for fail is used

One examiner