Welcome to this edition of Institute Inbrief.

Before we focus on what is included in this edition, we would like to extend our support and condolences to all affected by the bushfires in Victoria. The public support and donations have been overwhelming. It shows us what can really be achieved when we put our minds to it.

News reports tell us daily about our economic crisis yet Australians have cast that aside to help their neighbours in Victoria and have given millions of dollars of their own money.  The resilience, generosity and kind-heartedness of the Australian community should be applauded.

In this edition of Inbrief we continue with Part 2 of our Conflict Resolution Skills series. In Part 2 we look at client values a counsellor should consider, and the different degrees of conflict.  We also have a case study focusing on a client with low self-esteem and an article on the Solution Focused approach.

Enjoy your reading and we will see you next edition.

Editor

The Institute's Diploma of Professional Counselling is the country's most reasonably-priced counselling qualification. As Australia's largest and longest established provider of counsellor training, we're able to amortise our costs across a large number of students. Thus, we deliver a high standard of counselling education and study support, for a lower investment.

AIPC has specialised in external education for over 16 years and has a highly qualified Education Team who will support you throughout your studies. Help is only ever a phone call or email away and you have access to:

• An Education Team of over 65 degree qualified counselling professionals, all with extensive industry experience and teaching and assessing qualifications.

• An online Knowledge Base available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week that contains over 4,000 specific questions and answers relating to your course.

• Unlimited FREE phone support 9am to 5pm (EST) on the 1300 Study Assistance Line where you can discuss any study questions you may have with Education Team members.

• Unlimited email support. Send a question any time and have your enquiry replied to within the next working day.

And you have the support of your local Student Support Centre who will link you into a local student support network (if you wish to stay in touch with other students); help you complete your practical assessments; and co-ordinate your In-Class or tutorial activities.

In a survey of several thousand students (Yes, we regularly ask students and graduates how we are performing so we can continually improve our level of service!), 86% of responders indicated that our level of student support was "Beyond their expectation".

AND, prospective students of the Institute can benefit from a variety of course investment methods, so your enrolment into the Diploma of Professional Counselling is not delayed due to financial considerations.

There are two payment options for students enrolling into the Diploma of Professional Counselling, each of them with specific advantages:

Upfront Payment Option

Students who decide to pay their course fee upfront will enjoy a substantial discount on the normal price of the Diploma. Students can concentrate on their future studies without having to worry about further payments.

Regular Payment Plan

Those students who do not want to pay their course fees upfront, can take advantage of making regular monthly payments over 21 or 24 months. Further savings apply if these monthly payments are made by credit card or direct debit. The Institute endeavours to keep the monthly repayments as affordable as possible.

For further information about course investment options, please contact your closest Student Support Centre.

Achieve Your Goals Faster, Graduate Earlier And Help People Sooner...

With The Fast Track Student Support Program*

AIPC Diploma students - this is your chance to be part of an intimate support program that literally changes the face of traditional study. It creates more professional, commitment and skilful counsellors who are ready to embark on new and exciting careers, ready and willing to apply their new skills.

Due to the high level of personal support and coaching you'll receive; we only have a few places left. So you must act fast.

Our goal with the Fast Track Student Support Program is to provide you with the most highly supported education experience possible. Here's a list of the powerful support facilities that will 'guarantee' your success...

• 10 x One-Hour Educational and Instructional Counselling Teleclasses.
• Access to counselling lectures.
• Priority marking on all written assessment. 
• Your Personal Tutor.
• Priority Study Assistance Hotline.
• Access to the Proquest Psychology Journals electronic database. 
• Private Member-Only Networking Forum. 
• 15% Discount off all Textbooks and DVD Educational Material.
• FREE 12 month Graduate Membership valued at $93.
• 3 months FREE access to 'Counselling Academy' upon graduation.
• $250 Training Voucher to use toward additional AIPC Education Courses.
• Specially prepared "Setting Study Goals and Priority Planning Handbook".

Combined, these Fast Track Support Tools are worth thousands of dollars. With them, you'll be unstoppable in your quest for counselling knowledge, skills and expertise. But your investment will be just a small portion of that value!

The entire Fast Track Study Program is only $495 upfront or $285 over two months, for a full 24-month membership. That's a saving of up to $347.00 or 41% off our actual cost to provide you with the service.

Act NOW To Secure Your Place And Avoid Disappointment

It'll only take you a few minutes to join.  Just phone your local Student Support Centre (please have your credit card details on hand).

Sydney: 1800 677 697

Melbourne: 1800 622 489

Perth: 1800 353 643

Brisbane: 1800 246 324

Adelaide: 1800 246 381

Regional NSW: 1800 625 329

Regional QLD: 1800 359 565

Gold Coast: 1800 625 359

NT/Tasmania: 1800 353 643

Remember, there is no risk to you. We are taking all the risk by giving you 60-days to judge the value and benefits of the program for yourself. You simply need to apply yourself and success is yours.

          Article: Solution Focused Approach

          Published: Edition 62

Solution focused therapies are founded on the rationale that there are exceptions to every problem and through examining these exceptions and having a clear vision of a preferred future, client and counsellor, together, can generate ideas for solutions. Solution focused therapists are competency and future focused. They highlight and utilise client strengths to enable a more effective future.

Historically, psychotherapeutic approaches of the early-mid 1900s focused primarily on client pathology and problems. By the late 1950s a moderate shift in practitioner direction was occurring. Therapists were shifting from a focus on the past to a 'here and now' approach. Nonetheless the focus on client pathology and problems remained. By the late 1970s, practitioners, particularly family therapists, were taking note of their own biases.

Many students of the Diploma of Professional Counselling attend seminars to complete the practical requirements of their course. Seminars provide an ideal opportunity to network with other students and liaise with qualified counselling professionals in conjunction with completing compulsory coursework.

Below are some of the seminars available in 2009. To register for a seminar, please contact your Student Support Centre.

BRISBANE

Communication Skills I - 04/04/09, 06/06/09, 08/08/09, 10/10/09

Communication Skills II - 07/03/09, 09/05/09, 11/07/09, 19/09/09, 14/11/09

The Counselling Process - 18/04/09, 20/06/09, 22/08/09, 24/10/09

Counselling Therapies I - 14 & 15/03/09, 18 & 19/07/09, 21 & 22/11/09

Counselling Therapies II - 25 & 26/04/09, 15 & 16/08/09, 12 & 13/12/09

Case Management - 28/02 & 01/03/09, 27 & 28/06/09, 17 & 18/10/09

Counselling Applications - 25/07/09, 28/11/09

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Communication Skills I - 07/03/09, 04/07/09, 17/10/09

Communication Skills II - 09/05/09, 22/08/09, 14/11/09

The Counselling Process - 28/03/09, 13/06/09, 26/09/09

Counselling Therapies I - 04 & 05/04/09, 10 & 11/10/09

Counselling Therapies II - 23 & 24/05/09, 21 & 22/11/09

Case Management - 27 & 28/06/09, 05 & 06/12/09

Counselling Applications - 18/04/09, 07/11/09

TASMANIA

Communication Skills I - 16/05/09, 15/08/09, 14/11/09

Communication Skills II - 14/03/09, 20/06/09, 19/09/09, 05/12/09

The Counselling Process - 18/04/09, 18/07/09, 17/10/09

Counselling Therapies I - 28 & 29/03/09, 01 & 02/08/09, 12 & 13/12/09

Counselling Therapies II - 13 & 14/06/09, 10 & 11/10/09

Case Management - 11 & 12/08/09, 21 & 22/11/09

Counselling Applications - 04/04/09, 08/08/09, 28/11/09

SYDNEY

Communication Skills I - 06/03/09, 26/03/09, 20/04/09

Communication Skills II - 07/03/09, 27/03/09, 29/04/09

The Counselling Process - 09/03/09, 28/03/09, 30/04/09

Counselling Therapies I - 30 & 31/03/09, 28 & 29/05/09

Counselling Therapies II - 02 & 03/04/09, 18 & 19/06/09

Case Management - 26 & 27/02/09, 06 & 07/04/09, 29 & 30/06/09

Counselling Applications - 28/02/09, 18/04/09, 18/07/09, 30/09/09, 12/12/09

MELBOURNE

Communication Skills I - 05/03/09, 07/03/09, 04/04/09, 30/04/09

Communication Skills II - 06/03/09, 08/03/09, 05/04/09, 01/05/09

The Counselling Process - 01/03/09, 20/03/09, 18/04/09

Counselling Therapies I - 26 & 27/03/09, 02 & 03/05/09

Counselling Therapies II - 02 & 03/04/09, 06 & 07/06/09

Case Management - 26 & 27/02/09, 21 & 22/03/09, 23 & 24/04/09

Counselling Applications - 28/02/09, 17/04/09, 14/06/09, 17/07/09, 26/07/09

ADELAIDE

Communication Skills I - 04/04/09, 30/05/09, 01/08/09, 17/10/09

Communication Skills II - 05/04/09, 31/05/09, 02/08/09, 18/10/09

The Counselling Process - 28/02/09, 09/05/09, 25/07/09, 12/09/09, 28/11/09

Counselling Therapies I - 16 & 17/05/09, 15 & 16/08/09

Counselling Therapies II - 14 & 15/03/09, 13 & 14/06/09, 19 & 20/09/09

Case Management - 20 & 21/06/09, 24 & 25/10/09

Counselling Applications - 01/03/09, 26/07/09, 29/11/09

PERTH

Communication Skills I - 07/03/09, 09/05/09, 18/07/09, 05/09/09

Communication Skills II - 08/03/09, 10/05/09, 19/07/09, 06/09/09

The Counselling Process - 21/03/09, 23/05/09, 01/08/09, 17/10/09

Counselling Therapies I - 28 & 29/03/09, 06 & 07/06/09

Counselling Therapies II - 04 & 05/04/09, 20 & 21/06/09

Case Management - 25 & 26/04/09, 27 & 28/06/09

Counselling Applications - 03/05/09, 02/08/09, 27/11/09

SUNSHINE COAST

Communication Skills I - 30/05/09, 26/09/09

Communication Skills II - 14/03/09, 11/07/09, 31/10/09

The Counselling Process - 19/04/09, 22/08/09, 28/11/09

Counselling Therapies I - 07 & 08/03/09, 12 & 13/09/09

Counselling Therapies II - 16 & 17/05/09, 24 & 25/10/09

Case Management - 08 & 09/08/09, 14 & 15/11/09

Counselling Applications - 20/06/09, 12/02/09

GOLD COAST

Communication Skills I - 28/02/09, 16/05/09, 29/08/09, 21/11/09

Communication Skills II - 21/03/09, 27/06/09, 19/09/09

The Counselling Process - 04/04/09, 25/07/09, 24/10/09

Counselling Therapies I - 07 & 08/03/09, 31/10 & 01/11/09

Counselling Therapies II - 02 & 03/05/09, 28 & 29/11/09

Case Management - 04 & 05/07/09

Counselling Applications - 26/09/09