Distance Learning Relationships and Communication Course
"An essential course for anyone involved in relationships and communication counseling or similar fields."
There are many and varied reasons why relationships breakdown and irreconcilable differences is one of them. This occurs when two people differ in their beliefs and values and neither are willing to accept that the other person holds a different viewpoint. While agreeing to disagree would be a type of win-win in this situation, the way in which the difference is communicated and hence managed is often destructive. For example, one may continue to force the other to accept their position, through verbal attacks, or may give the ‘silent treatment’, not speaking to the other. When communication subsides into physical, verbal or emotional abuse (name calling, personal attacks, hitting, yelling, punching, pushing, verbal tirades, destroying personal items), the relationship is most often irretrievable. In fact, research has shown that once a poor or destructive communication cycle is established, it is rare that a reversal can take place as quite often, respect and trust is diminished to very low levels, and may take years of learning new skills to rebuild.
When communication is stifled, a ‘roadblock’ occurs that creates a brick wall to effective communication. One of the first signs that this has occurred is:
* the inability to listen to the other person (thinking about what you will say next rather than listening, wanting to push your point).
* a feeling of being overwhelmed (wanting to attack, run away, cry or feeling ‘frozen’).
* the third sign of a breakdown in communication is the inability to think rationally about what to do next (not knowing what to say or how to respond).
Duration: 100 Hours (you study at your own pace).
COURSE STRUCTURE
The course is divided into six lessons as follows:
1. Communication in emerging relationships
2. Self-awareness & communication goals
3. Communication patterns in relationships
4. Influences on relating behaviour
5. Communication techniques and skills
6. Maintaining relationships
Content of each lesson
1. Communication in Emerging Relationships
Introduction
Problems in relationships
Stages in relationships
Interpersonal communication
The communication process
Principles of communication
Communication filtered through perceptions
Verbal communication
Non verbal communication
Communication responsibility
Ineffective communication
Signs of relationship breakdownEffective communication
Abuse and violence in relationships
2. Self-Awareness and Communication Goals
Introduction
Negative communication
Self awareness
Setting the stage for change
Good communication is thoughtful
Intent
Awareness
Recognising reactive patterns
Relationship goals
3. Communication Patterns in Relationships
Negative patterns of communication
Aggressive patterns
Victim patterns
Avoidance patterns
Thought, feeling and action cycle
Thoughts and feelings differentiated
Emotions (feelings)
Patterns of thought
Behaviour (Actions)
Action skills
Communicating intent
4. Influences on Relating Behaviour and PBL.
Influences on communication
Environmental influences; family, culture, social, other
Global factors
Communicating and changing interpersonal needs
Changing expectations and needs
Adult psychological development
Erikson's psycho social stages
PBL to create and plan a counselling intervention for a couple who are experiencing relationship difficulties.
5. Communication Techniques and Skills
Introduction
Triads
Listening
Paraphrasing
Reflective responses; emotions
Reflective responses; content
Guidelines to prevent inauthentic listening
Open questions
Message statements or requests
Self disclosure
Encouraging clients to learn communication
6. Maintaining Relationships
Introduction
Kinds of, and stages in relationships
Factors to help maintain relationships
Agreements or contracts
Praise and gifts for service
Relationship nurturing communication
Straight talk
AIMS
To examine the importance of communication in emergent relationships and its changing role within relationships;To understand different influences affecting and changing interpersonal needs over the lifespan;To recognise the role of cultural and physical environmental influences on communication;To identify and examine patterns of communication in close relationships;To understand constructive and destructive methods of maintaining relationships;To discuss patterns of relationship breakdown and the role of constructive and destructive communication;To consider the effectiveness of different communication techniques in relationships.
Extract from course notes:
For many individuals, the desire to connect with others in a meaningful, enjoyable or beneficial relationship is a natural basic drive but, for various reasons, many find it elusive. While opportunities for making relationships generally surround us (unless we are in complete isolation), many people find it very difficult to take steps towards establishing a relationship, or even in expressing interest in establishing one. This is not always due to shyness, though that can be a major obstacle. We may be hampered by low self- esteem, which leads us to think that no-one is interested in us or that we don’t have what it takes to interest and create relationships with others. We may have experienced previous hurts or rejections, or been raised in an uncaring or hostile environment which can make us fearful of rejection or fearful of anticipated hurt. In each of these cases, understanding the process of establishing a relationship can be helpful.
There are two main aspects to establishing a relationship:
One is taking the steps to initiate a relationship, the first steps towards a relationship.
The other is what we do to create interest in a relationship to keep that initial contact or those first steps going.
Our success in each of these areas can be largely determined by what we bring to the interaction: our awareness of and expectations of ourselves, the other person, and of the relationship.
EXAMPLES OF WHAT YOU MAY DO IN THIS COURSE
- Determine ways in which we consciously communicate in a relationship, and ways in which we unconsciously communicate.
- Examine the thinking, behaviour, triangle and its role in establishing holistic communications.
- Determine different negative messages that can damage relationships, and different positive messages that can nurture them.
- Define effective and ineffective communication.
- Determine attitudes or expectations (thoughts and beliefs) that can result in destructive communication, and describe one likely negative outcome for each.
- Identify common needs and goals people wish to satisfy through relationships.
- Identify cultural or social influences that affect individual and family attitudes to happiness, self-expression, and relationships.
- Explain psychological theories and terms such as attribution theory, implicit personality theory, Gestalt impression formation, inference processes, stereotyping.
- List benefits and disadvantages of ‘self-disclosure’ and ‘self-disguise or concealment’ (lying)
- Discuss the role that judgment and other roadblocks plays in preventing a person from understanding and/or respecting another person’s point of view and feelings.
- Consider the ‘stages of a relationship’ models.
- Reflect on the languages of love and how praise and gifts can build a relationship.
- Discuss strategies and techniques for replacing negative communication patterns in relationships with positive patterns.
What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?
This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.
If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.
If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.
If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.
There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.
Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.
You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.
You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.
Suggested Reading
Our staff have written a useful e book, packed with easy to read, practical information about counselling.
It's title is "Counselling Handbook".
See
http://www.acsebook.com/products/2249-counselling-handbook.aspx
You can upload some sample pages for free to see what it looks like.
If you are unsure about studying this course, another option is to buy and read the book first, to see if Counselling is really your thing. Buy as a download now and read on an ipad, computer, laptop or book reader
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
Home Study Relationships Counselling Course
"An essential course for anyone involved in relationships and communication counselling or similar fields."
Develop your understanding of the difficulties that can occur in relationships and communication.
Learn about the theories and practices of relationship and communication counselling.
Study in your own time supported by our expert tutors.
This course will enable you to develop your understanding of the role communication plays in creating, maintaining or destroying relationships, and your ability to assist others to improve their relationships communications.
