Objectives and Learning Outcomes

1. To develop foundational counselling and communication skills that enable participants to build effective helping relationships and promote psychological well-being.
2. To explore the relationship between nutrition, health behaviours, and psychological well-being using evidence-based principles from health psychology.
3. To equip participants with practical counselling and behaviour change techniques, including active listening, motivational interviewing, goal setting, self-regulation, and habit formation strategies to support healthier lifestyle choices.
4. To enhance participants' ability to apply ethical principles, counselling skills, and behaviour change models in addressing real-world health and psychological challenges.
5. To foster professional development through reflective practice, ethical decision-making, self-awareness, and the integration of counselling and health psychology principles into professional practice.

Key Topics / Related Concepts

1. Foundations of Counselling and Health Psychology
2. Nutrition, Psychological Well-being, and Health Behaviour
3. Counselling Skills and Behaviour Change Techniques
4. Ethics, Professional Practice, and Personal Development
5. Application in Practice

Activities and Learning Strategies

1. Role plays

2. Case discussions

3. Reflection exercises

4. Skills demonstrations

5. Peer feedback and Group Discussions

6. Mock counselling sessions

Venue / Facilities 

UMT Main campus

Proposed Schedule and Activity Duration

Day 1: Foundations of Counselling and Health Psychology (2 hrs)

Topics Covered:

Introduction to counselling and health psychology

Role of psychology in health promotion and wellbeing

Overview of nutrition and its relationship with mental health

Activities:

Mini lecture with interactive poll – Assess participants' understanding of counselling, nutrition, and health psychology

Icebreaker and group discussion – Exploring personal perceptions of health and wellbeing

Day 2: Nutrition, Psychological Well-being, and Health Behaviour (3 hrs)

Topics Covered:

Psychological factors influencing eating behaviour

Emotional and stress-related eating

Nutrition, lifestyle, and mental wellbeing

Activities:

Food and Mood Mapping – Reflect on the relationship between nutrition and emotions

Self-assessment: Lifestyle and eating behaviour patterns

Group discussion: Identifying barriers to healthy behaviour

Day 3: Counselling Skills and Behaviour Change (3 hrs)

Topics Covered:

Core counselling skills (active listening, empathy, questioning, rapport building)

Behaviour change theories (CBT, Transtheoretical Model, Motivational Interviewing)

Goal setting and self-monitoring

Activities:

Counselling Skills Demonstration

Role Play: Active listening and motivational interviewing

SMART Goal-Setting Exercise

Day 4: Behaviour Change Techniques and Professional Practice (3 hrs)

Topics Covered:

Habit formation and self-regulation strategies

Building resilience and self-efficacy

Professional ethics, confidentiality, and cultural competence

Activities:

Case discussion on ethical dilemmas

Barrier Brainstorming and Solution Station

Peer feedback on counselling scenarios

Day 5: Professional Development and Applied Counselling (3 hrs)

Topics Covered:

Reflective practice and professional growth

Self-care and burnout prevention

Counselling for nutrition and healthy lifestyle promotion

Activities:

Reflective Practice Exercise

Mock Counselling Sessions

Group discussion: Strategies for maintaining long-term behaviour change

Day 6: Application in Practice (2 hrs)

Topics Covered:

Case conceptualization and intervention planning

Integrating counselling, nutrition, and behaviour change strategies

Developing a professional action plan

Activities:

Group presentations: Counselling and behaviour change intervention plans

Peer feedback session

Course reflection, evaluation, and Q&A

Materials Needed (Please mention)

1. Room

2. Multimedia

3. Stationery for activities