CQUniversity Unit Profile
PSYC29003 Coaching Individuals for Positive Change
Coaching Individuals for Positive Change
All details in this unit profile for PSYC29003 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

In this unit, you will develop practical evidence-based positive psychology coaching skills for working with individual clients on positive behaviour change. Your practical coursework will include fundamental coaching skills for building a positive working alliance using active listening and skillful questioning. You will also use positive psychology theory and tools for working with clients to enhance positive emotions, explore character strengths, and build hope.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 9
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2023

Online

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 30%
2. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 35%
3. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 35%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Apply knowledge and skills from counselling, coaching and humanistic psychology to create and maintain a positive working alliance with clients in coaching sessions
  2. Apply positive psychology theories of change, tools and strategies to coaching individuals
  3. Apply critical knowledge of positive psychology concepts to adapt coaching techniques to diverse needs

N/A - no external accreditation.

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Practical Assessment - 30%
2 - Practical Assessment - 35%
3 - Practical Assessment - 35%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
7 - Leadership
8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Danielle Every Unit Coordinator
d.every@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 06 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Coaching Skills Fundamentals

Chapter

Resources provided on Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Workshop 1: Coaching Skills Fundamentals and Active Constructive Responding

THURSDAY 9 March 2023 6.30-8.30pm AEDT

Week 2 Begin Date: 13 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Working with positive emotions: Fundamentals

Chapter

Resources provided on Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 20 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Working with positive emotions: Taking it further

Chapter

Resources provided on Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Informal Drop-in session

FRIDAY 24 March 2023, 12.30pm AEDT

Week 4 Begin Date: 27 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Goals: Fundamentals

Chapter

Resources provided on Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Coaching session Due: Week 4 Monday (27 Mar 2023) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 5 Begin Date: 03 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Goals and hope: Fundamentals

Chapter

Resources provided on Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Workshop 2: Hope

THURSDAY 6 April 2023 6.30-8.30pm AEST

Vacation Week Begin Date: 10 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

No classes/material this week

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 17 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Goals and motivation: Taking it further

Chapter

Resources provided on Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Informal drop-in session

FRIDAY 14 April 2023, 12.30pm AEST

Week 7 Begin Date: 24 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Working with strengths: Naming and finding

Chapter

Resources provided on Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Workshop 3: Strengths - finding and naming

THURSDAY 27 April 6.30-8.30pm AEST


Hope Map Due: Week 7 Monday (24 Apr 2023) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 8 Begin Date: 01 May 2023

Module/Topic

Working with strengths: Using the VIA and strengths development

Chapter

Resources provided on Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Workshop 4: Strengths - debriefing and developing

THURSDAY 4 May 2023, 6.30-8.30pm AEST

Week 9 Begin Date: 08 May 2023

Module/Topic

Working with strengths: Taking it further

Chapter

Resources provided on Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 15 May 2023

Module/Topic

Positive assessment in coaching: Taking it further

Chapter

Resources provided on Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Informal drop-in session

FRIDAY 19 May 2023, 12.30pm AEST

Week 11 Begin Date: 22 May 2023

Module/Topic

Positive psychology coaching and diversity

Chapter

Resources provided on Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Strengths Resource Due: Week 11 Monday (22 May 2023) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 12 Begin Date: 29 May 2023

Module/Topic

Taking a breath: Self-care and coaching

Chapter

Resources provided on Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 05 Jun 2023

Module/Topic

No exam

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 12 Jun 2023

Module/Topic

No exam

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Coaching session

Task Description

For this assessment you will conduct a short (7 minute maximum) coaching session with another student from this unit to demonstrate your understanding and embodiment of:

  1. The foundational skills for building a positive working alliance (demonstrating unconditional positive regard, accurate empathy, warmth, and congruence through verbal and non-verbal attending and responding);
  2. Active Constructive Responding.

Each student in the pair will take turns being the coach and coachee.

Preparation for this assessment


There are readings and video resources on these skills available on Moodle. We will be further developing these skills using role plays and group discussions in the first of the unit workshops.


Instructions for the coachee


Prior to the coaching session, the coachee chooses a positive experience in their lives (e.g., an achievement at work or in study or in their personal goals such as fitness, receiving an award, completing a project, being recognised in their community or for their volunteering, planning an important trip, achieving a life milestone).


Instructions for the coach


The coach will ask the coachee to share their positive event. The coach will use the skills for building a positive working alliance and Active Constructive Responding to encourage the coachee to fully share their positive experience.


The coaching session must include:


1. Non-verbals: body language (eyes, posture, facial expressions) and voice (tone and pace) to effectively to build the positive working alliance

2. Verbals: A minimum of 3 paraphrases, or 2 paraphrases and a summary to effectively build the positive working alliance

3. Active Constructive Responding: A minimum of 3 active constructive questions


Submission


You will submit an unedited video recording of the coaching session. The recording of the session in which you acted in the role of the coach must show both the coach and the coachee throughout the video.


The coaching session is a maximum of 7 minutes.


Assessment Due Date

Week 4 Monday (27 Mar 2023) 5:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Vacation Week Monday (10 Apr 2023)

Assessment feedback will be returned 2 weeks from the date of assessment submission.


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

The submission of your coaching session as a coach will be evaluated on:

  1. Use of non-verbals: body language (physical position, eye contact, facial expression) and voice tone and pace to develop a positive working alliance
  2. Use of verbal skills of paraphrasing and summarizing to build positive working alliance
  3. Use of skillful Active Constructive questions to explore the positive aspects of the experience
  4. Adherence to time limit


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
The assessment will be submitted through the assessment portal in Moodle.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply knowledge and skills from counselling, coaching and humanistic psychology to create and maintain a positive working alliance with clients in coaching sessions
  • Apply positive psychology theories of change, tools and strategies to coaching individuals

2 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Hope Map

Task Description

In this assessment, you will act in the role of a coach to create a Hope Map with your coachee, who will be another student from this unit.


Preparation for this assessment


There are resources for goal-setting and creating a Hope Map on Moodle. We will use role playing exercises and self-reflection activities and group discussions in the unit workshops to practice Hope Mapping with clients.


The coaching session


The coaching session involves the student acting as a coach guiding the coachee to develop a Hope Map which includes a SMART environmental sustainability goal.


Instructions for the coach


The Hope Map draws on goal-setting skills and combines these with an understanding of Snyder’s theory of hope. The coach should be familiar with this theoretical underpinning to lead their client to the development of a useable Hope Map which could support the client to reach an identified, realistic goal in a reasonable timeframe (a SMART goal).


The coach runs the session/s as a real-world coaching session (i.e., as if you were in a coach and client relationship, not doing an assessment).


The coach will outline the exercise and its purpose and provide the necessary resources for creating the Hope Map (e.g., use the whiteboard function in Zoom).


As coach you will:


  1. Guide the coachee to develop a eudaimonic goal that is focused on an area of environmental sustainability (e.g., related to plant-based eating, reducing carbon emissions, growing food, increasing local biodiversity).
  2. Guide the coachee to develop this goal using the SMART framework.
  3. Develop the Hope Map based on the SMART goal (pathways, obstacles, strengths, support).
  4. Design the final Hope Map in such a way that it supports the use of the map as a hope enhancing tool for the coachee using imagery, colour and layout.


Throughout the session/s you will draw on foundational coaching skills to build the positive working alliance.


Submission


You will submit the completed Hope Map that you developed in your role as coach.


The completed Hope Map needs to include:

  1. One (1) SMART environmental/sustainability goal
  2. Three (3) pathways to that goal
  3. One (1) obstacle for each of the 3 pathways (so, 3 obstacles in total)
  4. A way to overcome each of these obstacles (so, 3 ways to overcome obstacles in total)
  5. Two (2) identified strengths which will support the client to reach their goal
  6. Two (2) support person/animal/natural space/practice identified
  7. One (1) way of measuring progress towards the goal


There is no word limit, but the recommended length of the Hope Map is one page which could be an A3 size page or an A4 page in landscape. This is so it works as a hope reminding tool – if it can be posted somewhere visible and is easily accessible then this will boost people’s likelihood of using it and the likelihood of it increasing hope.


Assessment Due Date

Week 7 Monday (24 Apr 2023) 5:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 9 Monday (8 May 2023)

Assessment feedback will be returned 2 weeks from the date of assessment submission.


Weighting
35%

Assessment Criteria

The submission will be evaluated on:

  1. Application of goal-setting theories and research (SMART framework and the role of eudaimonic goals in boosting wellbeing) to develop an environmental sustainability goal with the client
  2. Application of theories and research on goal-setting and hope to map pathways, obstacles, strengths and supports, and measures of progress for the client's goal
  3. Application of theories on hope enhancement to create an accessible, engaging resource for client to support ongoing experiences of hope


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
The assessment will be submitted through the assessment portal in Moodle.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply knowledge and skills from counselling, coaching and humanistic psychology to create and maintain a positive working alliance with clients in coaching sessions
  • Apply positive psychology theories of change, tools and strategies to coaching individuals
  • Apply critical knowledge of positive psychology concepts to adapt coaching techniques to diverse needs

3 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Strengths Resource

Task Description

In Assessment 3 you will develop a client resource that you could use as part of a debriefing session with a client after they have completed the VIA (Values in Action) survey. We are focussing on some of the more challenging strengths – the ones that have hidden beauty lurking underneath their names!


Preparation for this assessment


There are resources about strengths on Moodle. We will use brainstorming and group discussions in the third and fourth workshops to explore how to find new names for strengths, definitions of strengths and how we may debrief with clients about negative perceptions of strengths.


Task Instructions


You will choose one strength from this list of the lesser-known strengths that clients may perceive negatively or not understand:


  • humility
  • judgment
  • prudence
  • self-regulation


You will create a client handout on this strength that you would give to them to take home as part of your debriefing that would help them see this strength clearly and positively.


The client handout will include:


1.  An evocative, insightful alternative name for this strength which captures its essence and is accessible and engaging.

2.  A definition of this strength (i.e., what it is) using peer reviewed research literature. Be sure to respond to common myths and misconceptions about this strength in crafting your definition.

3.  Three positive aspects of the strength (i.e., why is it valuable) using peer-reviewed research literature.

4.  Outline how this strength is expressed in intrapersonal, interpersonal, feelings and thoughts domains (i.e., use holistic mapping here to help us outline this strength).

5.  Identify at least one role model (someone real or a character in a book/movie) who uses this strength positively in the world.

6.  Include an evidence-based exercise for developing this strength. 

7.  A list of references used in APA formatting.


As this will be a client handout, it needs to be accessible and engaging, ensuring that it supports clients' learning in a culturally safe and inclusive way.


Assessment Due Date

Week 11 Monday (22 May 2023) 5:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Review/Exam Week Monday (5 June 2023)


Weighting
35%

Assessment Criteria

The submission will be evaluated on:

  1. Depth and breadth of understanding of the strength.
  2. Skilful use of quality research evidence and cultural resources to describe and illustrate the strength.
  3. Application of principles of learning modes, accessibility and cultural sensitivity in the design of the strengths resource.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply knowledge and skills from counselling, coaching and humanistic psychology to create and maintain a positive working alliance with clients in coaching sessions
  • Apply positive psychology theories of change, tools and strategies to coaching individuals
  • Apply critical knowledge of positive psychology concepts to adapt coaching techniques to diverse needs

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?