Counselling psychology

Anti-discriminatory Academic Paper

This unit requires an academic paper which examines the meaning and implications of anti discriminatory practice in counselling psychology.

You should situate yourself in relation to the issues discussed and the paper should focus on one area of discrimination and be illustrated by specific examples (3000 words).

You need to demonstrate a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of counselling psychology practice.

A comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship and to demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline.

You will also have a conceptual understanding that enables you to evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline; to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses. These attributes should influence how you approach your learning and the preparation of your academic paper.

The following is a technical description of what the academic paper must include. Part of the expectation of  work at this level is that they will be able to integrate these factors into their academic paper in a coherent way.

The paper must include, but may not be limited to, examination of the following areas:

  • Theoretical and practical understanding of ‘internalised oppression’;
  • Personal, cultural and structural analysis;
  • Philosophical, value and ethical bases of anti-oppressive practice; and
  • Management of inherent tensions and complexities

The following competencies need to be included:

  • Develop knowledge and understanding of equality of opportunity and diversities and how to work affirmatively to promote social inclusion in your clinical practice;
  • Value social inclusion and demonstrate a commitment to equal opportunities; understand issues of power, discrimination and oppression, the psychological impact of these, and how to work with these issues psychologically;
  • Develop an understanding of the importance of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and an awareness of difference including visible, less visible, and mixed backgrounds, and be able to work from a knowledge base of different cultural frameworks;
  • Have an understanding of the major religious beliefs and practices, spirituality, and how to work with these in clinical practice;
  • Understand the diversity of forms of relationships and families in gender and sexual minority clients; be knowledgeable of the diversity of sexual and gender minority identities and practices;
  • Work affirmatively with gender and sexual minority clients, understanding contemporary models of gender and sexuality, internalised oppression, and the impact of stigmatising beliefs; recognise that attitudes towards sexuality and gender are located in a changing socio-political context, and reflect on your own understanding of these concepts;
  • Be mindful of the impact of socioeconomic status and disadvantage and limited access to resources and services;
  • Be aware of attitudes towards disabled people and the social construction of disability, and appropriate models for practice;
  • Understand the principles and requirements of safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults; and understand human development across the lifespan and the issues of discrimination and disadvantage that can arise