Counsellors help people through difficult times of their lives, often when they are most vulnerable. Prepare for a career in counselling by building your personal and professional skills. With a focus on building counselling relationships with your clients that are essential to effective practice, you’ll gain the skills you need to succeed in a rewarding career.

Apply the theoretical foundations of counselling by first appraising selected counselling literature and research, before undertaking extensive practical training. In your second year, you’ll have the option to complete a substantial research project addressing counselling theory or practice, or choose to complete the course through coursework and case studies.

You’ll complete two supervised placements, which will provide you the opportunity to develop skills in assessment, individual and group treatment, working with children and adult clients, working with other professionals and within the supervisory relationship.

6 reasons to study a Master of Counselling at Murdoch

• Work with real clients in Murdoch’s on-campus Caladenia counselling clinic, where you’ll complete your internal practical placement and work with clients under supervision.
• Work in external agencies in the community during your second placement, counselling real clients in different settings under supervision of highly experienced clinicians.
• Study on your own terms – we offer flexible study arrangements allowing you to study full-time or part-time or at our Perth or Mandurah campus to suit your circumstances.
• Take advantage of our scholarships such as the Murdoch University Academic Excellence Award and Postgraduate Access and Equity Scholarship.
• Benefit from experiential learning in a supportive environment.
• Learn from highly experienced staff, with industry and practical knowledge.

Develop your skills

Build essential skills and knowledge to meet your career or study goals. Topics you’ll cover include:

• coached practice in small groups
• counselling adults
• counselling children and adolescents
• trauma counselling
• introduction to creative arts therapies.

When you graduate, you may be employed in government and non-government counselling organisations working with adults, children, families and couples. This course will also prepare you for employment in settings requiring individual and group therapy competence.

Careers could include:

• Counsellor
• Psychotherapist
• Caseworker
• Support Worker
• mental health professional.

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and Australian Counselling Association (ACA).

You will be eligible to apply for intern registration with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and to then work towards clinical registration with PACFA. As a graduate, you will be eligible to apply for Level 2 membership with the Australian Counselling Association and then work towards Level 3 / 4 clinical membership.