Therapeutic Communication and Group Work

Course aim

To enable students to develop knowledge and skills in reflective and culturally safe therapeutic communication and group work that can be applied across occupational therapy practice contexts and professional interactions.

Course content

Theory, assumptions and skills for therapeutic communication and group work. Principles and application of various approaches used in effective therapeutic relationships and group therapy. Development and application of culturally safe therapeutic communication skills, including micro-counselling skills for individual and group work. Principles and application of safe, ethical and professional occupational therapy practice in a range of individual and group work contexts. Occupational strategies for sharing and developing ideas and making decisions within groups. Reflection and analysis of one’s use of verbal and non-verbal communication in individual and group practice. Strengths based approaches to building trust and respect across cultures through culturally appropriate, safe and sensitive communication.

Textbook(s)

Cole, MB 2018, Group Dynamics in Occupational Therapy: the Theoretical Basis and Practice Application of Group Intervention, 5th Edition, Slack Incorporated, NJ USA

Prerequisite(s)

Common to all relevant programs
Subject Area & Catalogue Number	Course Name
REHB 2049	Principles of Occupational Therapy Practice

Corequisite(s)

Nil

Teaching method

Component	Duration
INTERNAL, CITY EAST
Lecture	2 hours x 1 week
Lecture	1 hour x 12 Weeks
Lecture (online)	1 hour x 10 Weeks
Workshop	3 hours x 13 weeks
INTERNAL, WHYALLA
Lecture	2 hours x 1 week
Lecture	1 hour x 12 weeks
Lecture (online)	1 hour x 10 weeks
Workshop	3 hours x 13 weeks

Note: These components may or may not be scheduled in every study period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Assessment

Clinical assessment/OSCE/OSCA, Portfolio, Skills demonstration

Fees

EFTSL*: 0.125
Commonwealth Supported program (Band 4S)
To determine the fee for this course as part of a Commonwealth Supported program, go to:
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Fee-paying program for domestic and international students
International students and students undertaking this course as part of a postgraduate fee paying program must refer to the relevant program home page to determine the cost for undertaking this course.

Non-award enrolment
Non-award tuition fees are set by the university. To determine the cost of this course, go to:
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Not all courses are available on all of the above bases, and students must check to ensure that they are permitted to enrol in a particular course.

* Equivalent Full Time Study Load. Please note: all EFTSL values are published and calculated at ten decimal places. Values are displayed to three decimal places for ease of interpretation.