Course code PedaP101

Credit points 3

Observation of Counselling

Total Hours in Course81

Independent study hours81

Date of course confirmation22.11.2016

Responsible UnitInstitute of Mechanics and Design

Course developer

author Mehānikas un dizaina institūts

Vija Dišlere

Dr. paed.

Prior knowledge

Peda5025, Career Development Theories

Peda5026, Theory and Methodology of Career Counselling I

Peda6022, Professional Ethics of Career Consellor

PedaP095, Investigation of Counselling Fields

Psih5008, Communication Theories in Counselling

Psih6009, Human Life Cycles

Psih6011, Organizational Culture and Career

Course abstract

In the course of practice the students get acquainted with the specification of the counsellor’s work and with the formation of cooperation system in different organizations; they also practice in the counselling of the clients who differ in their age; the students develop themselves professionally and are prepared to professional activities.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge: to explain job specific of the institutions, companies and organizations and to explain the concrete career counselling work with clients – practice report.
Skills to observe and to analyze the preparatory phase of the counselling, the counselling process and used methodology. The ability to discern the differences of counselling manners, the ability to listen and to analyze client’s needs, the ability to describe client’s individual and group counselling processes, the ability to analyze and evaluate the counselling process – Assessment of the institution's practice manager.
Competence – able to estimate institutions and the counsellors’ job specificity, looking at the legal and labour law issues. Able to use independently the knowledge and skills to analyze the counselling process and to predict the future counselor and client cooperation model.
Able to make independent decisions, to be free, confident, independent and responsible – Defending the practice report.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. To get acquainted with the specifics of the counsellor’s work in the selected (with a master's work-related topic) institution /company/ organization.
2. Understand the work tasks of the selected institution/company/ organization.
3. Knowledge of the characteristics of age group for using in counselling.
4. Understanding the peculiarities of different age groups for using in counselling.
5. Acquisition of career counselling experience at educational institutions.
6. Tasks of a career counsellor working with pupils.
7. Career counsellor’s assignments working with jobseekers.
8. Career counsellor’s tasks working with long-term unemployed.
9. Watch and evaluate the group consultation.
10. Assessment of individual peculiarities of consultations.
11. Introduction to the methodologies used in the counsellor’s work.
12. Watching the methods used by the counsellor.
13. Legal aspects of the work of the institution and the counsellor.
14. Evaluation of the work of the institution and the counsellor from the labor law aspect.
15. Evaluation of theoretical knowledge of career counselling.
16. Reflection of career counselling observation. Preparation, presentation and defense of the report.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Oral examination.

The exam assignment consists of:
 submitted practice diary;
 submitted student's own methodological materials for the practice tasks (at least 2 observed an individual and 2 observed profiles of group counselling);
 the written assessment of the success form practice manager;
 presentation and defence of the practice report.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The tasks of the practice:
1. Build characteristics of the practice’s geographical, social and work environment.
2. To observe 2 individual and 2 group counselling.
3. To analyze the preparatory phase of the counselling, the counselling and the methodology used in counselling together with practice manager.
4. Get acquainted with the available documents on the client's dynamics.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The practice report and the presentation will be estimated in the 10-ball system.
Student’s work evaluation criteria:
 30% evaluation of the submitted documentation and guidance materials;
 30% practice manager's assessment;
 40% estimation of the result presentation and defence.

Compulsory reading


1. Ciomaga F.S., Makrides G., Vintere A. (2016). Vadlīnijas karjeras konsultācijās un profesionālajā orientācijā. A. Vintere (Red.) Jelgava: Izglītības inovāciju pārneses centrs, 85 lpp. ISBN 978-9934-8495-1-0
2. International Handbook of Career Guidance. J.A.Athanasou, R.Esbroeck (Eds.).N.Y.: Springer Science +Bussines Media B.V., 2008. 741 p. ISBN: 978-1-4020-6229-2; e-ISBN: 978-1-4020-6230-8;
3. Karjeras attīstības atbalsts. Autori I.Miķelsone ... [u.c.]. Rīga: Valsts izglītības attīstības aģentūra, 2008. 319 lpp.
4. NICE Handbook for the Academic Training of Career Guidance and Counselling Professionals. C.Schiersmann, B.-J.Ertelt, J.Katsarov, R.Mulvey, H.Reid, P. Weber(Eds.). Heidelberg: Heidelberg University, 2012. p.245 127 p. ISBN 978-3-944230-03-0. Available: http://www.nice-network.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/NICE_Handbook_full_version_online.pdf
5. Savickas M. (2011). Career Counseling. Washington: American Psychological Association.
6. Sharf R.S. Applying career development. Theory to Counselling. Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2006. 468 p. ISBN: 0-534-27245-21.
7. Swanson J.L., Found N.A. Career Theory and Practice. Learning Through Case Studies. 3rd ed. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications, 2015. ISBN 978-1-4522-5669-6

Further reading

1. Critical Reflections on Career Education and Guidance. Eds.: B. Irving B., B. Malik. London&N.-Y.: Routledge Falmer, 2005. 202 p.
Professionalizing Career Guidance. Practitioner Competences and Qualification Routes in Europe. (2009). CEDEFOP. Luxembourg: CEDEFOP, 116 p. Available: http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/files/5193_en.pdf
2. Counselling Dictionary. Available: http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/career.html
3. Introduction to Guidance and Counselling. Windows on Practice Guide. B.Ed. (Hons) Elementary. (2012). USA: Columbia University, 80 p. Available: http://hec.gov.pk/english/services/universities/RevisedCurricula/Documents/2011-2012/Education/GuidanceCounseling_Sept13.pdf

Periodicals and other sources

1. Center for the Study of Technology in Counseling and Career Development. Florida State university. The Career Center. Retrieved: https://education.fsu.edu/research/research-centers/cst
2. Karjera. NVA Pieejams: www.nva.lv
3. Karjeras atbalsts. VIAA. Pieejams: http://viaa.gov.lv/lat/karjeras_atbalsts_redir/karjeras_atbalsts/karjeras_atbalsts_jaunumi/
4. Karjeras attīstības rokasgrāmata konsultantiem, kas strādā ar jauniešiem ar īpašām vajadzībām. www.careercenteronline.org/manuals%5CManual_2lv.pdf
5. Karjeras centrs. http://www.karjerascentrs.lv/
6. Karjeras konsultēšanas metodes. (2009). VIAA. Pieejams: http://viaa.gov.lv/files/news/727/karjeras_kons_metodes.pdf
7. Karjeras konsultēšana. J.Priede. https://karjeraskonsultants.lv/aktualitates/
8. SocioDynamic Counselling. A Constructivist Perspective. http://www.sociodynamic-constructivist-counselling.com/

Notes

Study course: Observation of Counselling