Study Method Online
Provider Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors
Recognition Nationally Recognised Training
Start Date Enrol anytime

Course overview

Build the high-level skills to support people experiencing mental health issues. AIPC's Diploma of Mental Health combines flexible, practical training in intervention programs, wellness planning and advocacy with core counselling skills and drug and alcohol support, preparing you for roles such as Mental Health Worker, Counsellor of Mental Health or Community Rehabilitation Support Worker across community services and health care.

Our Diploma of Mental Health will equip you with the high-level skills to support those experiencing issues relating to mental health. Our uniquely flexible and practical program will provide you the ability to offer specialist information to those affected by mental health concerns, such as intervention programs, development of wellness plans and directives, and advocacy services. You’ll also learn counselling skills and how to work with those experiencing drug and alcohol concerns.

Who's It For?

This course is suitable for people from a wide range of backgrounds, including:

  • Those seeking a fresh start in a rewarding profession in mental health.
  • Professionals in nursing, teaching, community services, or related fields who want to add specialist mental health and counselling skills.
  • Anyone comfortable supporting people in distress who wants formal training to do so effectively.

Job outcomes

  • Mental Health Worker
  • Mental Health Counsellor
  • Community Rehabilitation Support Worker
  • Outreach and Residential Support Worker

Want to see more job outcomes and how your future could change?

What you'll learn

  • Run intervention programs for people affected by mental health concerns
  • Write wellness plans and advance directives with clients
  • Speak up for clients within services and systems
  • Establish and maintain a counselling relationship over time
  • Draw on major counselling theories in practice
  • Support clients whose mental illness comes with drug or alcohol concerns
  • Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary mental health teams

Recognitions

Nationally Recognised Training

This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia

Study method

  • Online Online info icon
    Online delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
  • Blended Blended info icon
    Blended delivery - both online course content and partial face to face requirements
  • In-class In-class info icon
    In class delivery - predominately face to face course content conducted at a specific location
  • Virtual Virtual info icon
    Virtual Delivery - Live and interactive classroom-style learning conducted completely online

Duration study load

18 months full-time. Part-time and self-paced study is also available. The course comprises 19 units.

Delivery

This diploma is delivered entirely online, so wherever you live in Australia, you can work through the material at home. Seminars are held regularly in most capital cities throughout Australia, giving you the opportunity to apply theory in contemporary scenarios and participate in casework sessions under the guidance of a qualified Lecturer.

Students who cannot attend seminars can complete practical components through alternate means, such as a one-on-one or small group session with a private assessor, or by video recording a demonstration of their skills.

Entry requirements

  • Completed Year 12, or
  • Completed a Certificate III qualification, or
  • At least 3 years of sufficient life experience (work or study), if over 21 years of age.

Find out more about the entry requirements for this course

Course features

  • Flexible, self-paced online study — learn from home at your own pace.
  • Specialist focus on counselling and community services education.
  • Unlimited access to a Toll Free Study Assistance Line staffed by degree-qualified education advisers (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm EST).
  • Access to the My.AIPC Student Portal for downloading workbooks, completing activities, contacting advisers, and accessing the Knowledge Base.
  • Regular seminars in most capital cities across Australia.
  • Private assessors available in numerous regional areas across Australia.
  • 30-day money-back guarantee.
  • Student Support Centres located in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast & Northern Rivers, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth.

Work placement

Students are required to complete a minimum of 160 hours of work placement in a mental health or community services setting, supporting clients under the supervision of experienced staff. Several units also require the practical demonstration of skills in a real or simulated work environment.

Assessment

Assessment includes practical demonstration of skills in a real or simulated work environment for designated units, as well as a minimum of 160 hours of supervised work placement. Practical sessions (6 in total) can be completed via:

  • Online group workshop
  • Zoom/Skype session
  • Uploaded video demonstration
  • Assessment by a private assessor

Subjects

Core Units
CHCCSL001Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
CHCCSL002Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills
CHCCSL007Support counselling clients in decision-making processes
CHCCSL003Facilitate the counselling relationship and process
CHCDIV001Work with diverse people
CHCDIV002Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
HLTWHS004Manage work health and safety
CHCCCS017Provide grief and loss support
CHCMHS013Implement trauma informed care
CHCADV005Provide systems advocacy services
CHCMHS002Establish self-directed recovery relationships
CHCMHS003Provide recovery oriented mental health services
CHCMHS004Work collaboratively with care network and other services
CHCMHS005Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCMHS009Provide early intervention, health prevention and promotion programs
CHCMHS010Implement recovery oriented approaches to complexity
CHCMHS011Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing
CHCMHS012Provide support to develop wellness plans and advanced directives
CHCPOL003Research and apply evidence to practice
CHCPRP003Reflect on and improve own professional practice

Want more information about the subjects for this course?

Payment options

  • Reduced upfront payment (with a substantial discount on the total course cost).

  • Fortnightly payment plan (by Credit Card or Direct Debit).

  • Monthly payment plan (by Credit Card or Direct Debit).

Find out more about the payment options for this course

About Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors

The Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors (AIPC) is Australia’s largest and longest-established educator of Counsellors. Our specialist training programs include our acclaimed Diploma of Counselling, Bachelor of Counselling, and Master of Counselling. All our programs are government and industry-accredited.

We are an organisation founded on the principle of enabling people to help others. At the very heart of our logo, designed three decades ago, is the statement “Caring for people.” That’s the core of what we do, and that’s why our work matters.

RTO Provider Number: 0670 | Institute of Higher Education: Provider ID PRV12083.

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