Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:26 AM AWST
22/07/2026 1:26 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills
Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills
Unit of competency
National Code
CHCCSL502A
CHCCSL502A
State Code
D2363
D2363
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
21/07/2014
Field of Education
090513 - Counselling
Original Release Date
21/07/2014
Nominal Hours
60
Description
DescriptorThis unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use advanced interpersonal communication skills to facilitate the client-counsellor relationship in a counselling practice
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Communicate effectively in counselling practice
- 1.1 Identify the components of the communication process and primary factors that impact on the communication process
- 1.2 Identify communication barriers and apply strategies to overcome these barriers in the client-counsellor relationship
- 1.3 Demonstrate effective application of micro-skills within counselling practice to facilitate the client-counsellor relationship
- 1.4 Ensure work practices reflect the principles of effective communication and the sequence of a counselling interview
- 1.5 Identify the impact of communication techniques upon the client-counsellor relationship and use effective application of communication techniques in counselling practice
2. Use specialist communication skills in counselling interviews
- 2.1 Demonstrate effective use of confrontation skills in a counselling interview
- 2.2 Use confrontation skills appropriately aiming to achieve identified impacts and enhance client development and growth
- 2.3 Demonstrate effective use of focusing skills in a counselling interview
- 2.4 Use confrontation skills appropriately aiming to achieve pre-determined impacts and enhance client development and growth
- 2.5 Demonstrate effective use of influencing skills in a counselling interview
- 2.6 Use influencing skills appropriately aiming to achieve pre-determined impacts and enhance client development and growth
RANGE STATEMENT
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Work in the industry includes:
General counselling
Specialist counselling
Components of the communication process must include:
Encoder
Decoder
Primary factors must include:
Context
Participants
Rules
Messages
Channels
Noise
Feedback
Communication barriers may include:
Environmental
Physical
Individual perceptions
Cultural issues
Language
Age issues
Micro-skills must include:
Attending behaviours - active listening, reflection of content feeling, summarising
Questioning skills - open, closed, simple and compound questions
Client observation skills
Noting and reflecting skills
Providing client feedback
Communication techniques may include:
The appropriate technique for the stage of interview
The proficiency level of the counsellor as an empathic communicator
The communication strategies (micro-skills) utilised by the counsellor
The use of non-verbal communication
Client development and growth may include:
Change in client behaviour that aids in the achievement of their goals
Change in client thought patterns that facilitates the achievement of their goals
A broadening of self-awareness as reported by the client
A shift occurs in the client's feelings that facilitates change in the direction of their goals
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Work in the industry includes:
General counselling
Specialist counselling
Components of the communication process must include:
Encoder
Decoder
Primary factors must include:
Context
Participants
Rules
Messages
Channels
Noise
Feedback
Communication barriers may include:
Environmental
Physical
Individual perceptions
Cultural issues
Language
Age issues
Micro-skills must include:
Attending behaviours - active listening, reflection of content feeling, summarising
Questioning skills - open, closed, simple and compound questions
Client observation skills
Noting and reflecting skills
Providing client feedback
Communication techniques may include:
The appropriate technique for the stage of interview
The proficiency level of the counsellor as an empathic communicator
The communication strategies (micro-skills) utilised by the counsellor
The use of non-verbal communication
Client development and growth may include:
Change in client behaviour that aids in the achievement of their goals
Change in client thought patterns that facilitates the achievement of their goals
A broadening of self-awareness as reported by the client
A shift occurs in the client's feelings that facilitates change in the direction of their goals
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this unit of competency:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
This unit will be most appropriately assessed in the workplace or in a simulated work context and under the normal range of workplace conditions
It is recommended that assessment or information for assessment will be conducted or gathered over a period of time and cover the normal range of workplace situations and settings
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in community services should be aware of access, equity and human rights issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit can be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice is encouraged with other units of competency relating to counselling practice
Resources required for assessment include access to:
an appropriate workplace and/or simulation of realistic work environment where assessment can take place
Method of assessment:
For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, competency should be demonstrated in a range of situations which must include observation of performance in an actual workplace or in a setting that realistically simulates work conditions:
observation should include key aspects described in elements, performance criteria and relevant aspects of the Range Statement of the unit
where face-to-face observation is not possible, video recordings may be provided
In addition assessment methods may include
written questioning
role play
supervised/guided discussion
candidate's critique of their 'performance' to demonstrate cognitive understanding of theory
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this unit of competency:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
This unit will be most appropriately assessed in the workplace or in a simulated work context and under the normal range of workplace conditions
It is recommended that assessment or information for assessment will be conducted or gathered over a period of time and cover the normal range of workplace situations and settings
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in community services should be aware of access, equity and human rights issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit can be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice is encouraged with other units of competency relating to counselling practice
Resources required for assessment include access to:
an appropriate workplace and/or simulation of realistic work environment where assessment can take place
Method of assessment:
For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, competency should be demonstrated in a range of situations which must include observation of performance in an actual workplace or in a setting that realistically simulates work conditions:
observation should include key aspects described in elements, performance criteria and relevant aspects of the Range Statement of the unit
where face-to-face observation is not possible, video recordings may be provided
In addition assessment methods may include
written questioning
role play
supervised/guided discussion
candidate's critique of their 'performance' to demonstrate cognitive understanding of theory
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWB41 | CHCCSL002 | Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills | Unit of competency |