This unit commences with an investigation into the philosophical and cultural assumptions that support traditional views of individual mental health and counselling. It critiques these approaches theologically and philosophically to provide adequate foundations for thinking more deeply about the psychological and social contexts of counselling. Consequently the unit explores the language of oppression and liberation including the psychological, political and theological. The values, conceptual lenses and assumptions of liberation and wellbeing are developed as being appropriate for an emerging Community Counselling model. Fundamental to the theory and practice of the emerging field is the recognition of significant social injustice. The meaning of a range of concepts such as power, solidarity, collaboration, accountability and partnering are explored and evaluated in the context of personal, relational and social wellbeing with a focus on ecosystemic thinking. Issues and concerns are investigated at different levels of conceptionalisation. Different assumptions associated with levels of understanding, theory and practice are studied, including:
1. Collective wellbeing, social justice, liberation, ecological change, transformation and advocacy (liberation theology; liberation psychology),
2. Appreciating cultural diversity (multiculturalism, community empowerment and a postmodern thinking),
3. Organisational wellbeing, organisational culture and partnerships,
4. Relational wellbeing, groups, support networks and collaboration, partnerships,
5. Personal wellbeing, the role of positive psychology in promoting wellness, health and wellbeing.