Course Description
In this course, you will learn an overview of counseling theories and therapy approaches used in mental health counseling and psychotherapy. This course will cover the following theories and therapy approaches: Psychoanalytic, Adlerian, Existential, Person-Centered, Gestalt Therapy, Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Choice Theory/Reality Therapy, Feminist Therapy/Social Justice, Solution-Focused, Family Systems and Integrative. It will address each key theory’s history, techniques, strengths/limitations, research and application. For each approach, you will also explore a Biblical perspective and consider how it might be integrated with Christian faith. Students will also define their own theoretical approach to counseling and future work.
Prerequisites
Available to undergraduates with 90+ credits and a 3.5+ GPA.
Course Outcomes
After completing this course, you should be able to:
- Identify the core concepts of counseling theories in order to incorporate relevant strategies and techniques of the theory in the future practice of counseling. (Quizzes)
- Describe the importance of having a commanding knowledge and understanding of a specified theory in order to incorporate ethically relevant strategies and techniques of the theory in the practice of counseling. (Week 1. Assignment 1, Assignment 2 & Discussion)
- Differentiate counseling strategies and techniques of the prescribed theory used in counseling individuals and groups. (Theory Assignments Weeks 2-7, Week 7. Assignment 3)
- Apply distinct strategies and techniques to case examples consistent with the philosophical underpinnings of the prescribed theory as well as demonstrate effective application of the fundamental components of the counseling process in a prescribed theoretical orientation to counseling. (Case Assignments in Weeks 2-7)
- Evaluate prominent theories of counseling and psychotherapy for compatibility to biblical teachings. (Discussions, Week 8. Assignment 1)
- Evaluate key theories of counseling and psychotherapy identifying its strengths and weaknesses, diversity implications and relation to Christian worldview. (Week 8. Assignment 1)
- Integrate prescribed theoretical orientations to counseling into one’s unique counseling approach. (Week 8 Assignment 2)
Syllabus
Course Materials & Tuition
| Corey, G. (2023). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (11th edition). Cengage Learning. ISBN: 978-0-357-76442-8. SAGE Publications, Inc. ISBN: 978-1-4833-4976-3. Tan, S.-Y. (2022). Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Christian Perspective. Independently published. ISBN: 9798812331177. | $50.99 $34.19 |
| Tuition | $800.00 |
| Total Cost of Course | $885.18 |