Psychology 357

   Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Counseling

   Lori L. Mills, Ph.D.

    Spring 2003

Meeting Times: MWF, 2:30-3:25 p.m., Derthick 109

Office Hours:    Hardin 206; Office Phone: 461-8663

                           e-mail: lmills@milligan.edu

                           Monday – Friday, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

                           Other appointment times available on request.      

Required Text:

Corey, G. (2001). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Additional resource:

American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. (5^th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Course Description: This course is designed to introduce you to counseling and psychotherapy by surveying the major concepts of various theoretical orientations of therapy. There will be some emphasis on practicing the skills that constitute the counseling process. The intent is to use class members for practical applications and implementation of therapeutic techniques. You will also be encouraged to develop a balanced view of the major concepts of various therapies.

Objectives: Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

1.          Identify personal characteristics and attributes that contribute to the effectiveness of a therapist.

2.          Recognize ethical concerns in psychotherapy and identify common unethical practices in psychotherapy.

3.          Exhibit an understanding of practical counseling skills that are frequently used in the helping professions.

4.          Discuss key concepts, therapeutic goals, role of the therapist, and therapeutic techniques and procedures in the following schools of psychotherapy:

a.       Psychoanalytic

b.      Adlerian

c.       Existential

d.      Person-centered

e.       Gestalt Therapy

f.        Reality Therapy

g.       Behavior Therapy

h.       Cognitive-Behavior Therapy

5.          Appraise each major theory of psychotherapy in terms of a Christian worldview.

Attendance: Attendance will be taken at each class session. Since this course is based on class involvement, it is necessary for you to be in class whenever we meet. There is not a formal attendance policy, but attendance and class participation will be considered when determining borderline grades.

Course Requirements: The assignments for the course are as follows:

                        Position Statement                                        (50 points)

                        Introduction Paper                                        (50 points)

                        Critical Review Paper                                   (100 points)

                        Role-play                                                     (50 points)

                        Test #1                                                         (100 points)

                        Test #2                                                         (100 points)

                        Test #3                                                         (100 points)

Total Points Possible: 550

     All assignments are due during class on the assigned dates. If, for some reason, you are unable to take a test or turn in an assignment at the designated time, notify me before the deadline. The grading scale for the course is as follows:

POSITION STATEMENT

    For the Position Statement,  you and another class member will be assigned to take opposing viewpoints on an ethical dilemma with which a counselor might be confronted. Each is you is to present a 5-minute statement supporting one side of an argument regarding a controversial counseling issue. These issues will involve ethical dilemmas that counselors might face. The statements will be given in class on the specified dates. You will need to be concise so that you can present your full case within the time period. By all means cite references to support your position (e.g., ACA and APA ethical codes, plus other journal articles or books).,

     Grading criteria for this assignment are located at the back of the syllabus. I strongly suggest that you read the grading criteria prior to preparing your statement. Please hand the grading criteria sheet to the professor on the date you are assigned to present.

INTRODUCTION PAPER

     For the Introduction Paper, you are to write a 2 to 3-page essay identifying areas of your potential growth as a therapeutic person. Identify four characteristics and personal qualities that are your current personal therapeutic strengths (three should be chosen from the list on pgs. 16 and 17 of the text), and identify four characteristics that are areas in your life that you feel need to be strengthened (three should be chosen from the list on pgs. 16 and 17). Also, identify one strength and one limitation that are not listed in the text, justifying these as necessary characteristics of a therapeutic person. 

     Discuss the concept of vocation or “calling” as it relates to your life. What experiences or insights have you had that led you to feel a desire to help others, and to help them specifically through your chosen career? If you have not felt a calling to help others, explore that by discussing whether that causes you to feel a void or a lack of direction.

     Grading criteria for this assignment are located at the back of the syllabus. I strongly suggest that you read the grading criteria prior to completion of this assignment. Please attach the grading criteria sheet to the back of your paper.

     If you are uncomfortable self-disclosing to the professor, then feel free to either fictionalize your strengths and weaknesses or talk with the professor about receiving an alternative assignment.

CRITICAL REVIEW PAPER

     For the Critical Review Paper, you are to write a 4-5 page paper in the form of a critical review of one of the following theories: a) psychoanalytic, b) Adlerian, c) existential, d) person-centered, e) Gestalt, f) feminist, g) behavior, h) cognitive-behavioral, or i) reality therapy. Take a specific topic or issue within one of these theories and write a paper on this theme. For example, discuss the major benefits or drawbacks to using a particular technique or discuss the effectiveness of a particular technique with a particular disorder. You are required to use at least four references (in addition to your textbook). Start early on your paper, as you may have to go to another library to get some of your references. Your primary sources should be books or psychology/psychiatry/counseling journals (not magazines). In some cases, it will be important that your references are recent – see me if you are not sure about this. Internet resources are permissible, but must be approved by me. All reference materials need to be turned in with the paper. Quote rarely; instead, use your references to support what you have to say.

     Grading criteria for this assignment are located at the back of the syllabus. I strongly suggest that you read the grading criteria prior to completion of this assignment. Please attach the grading criteria sheet to the back of your paper.

     References should be listed in APA style, as in the following:

Myers, D. G. (1987). Yin and yang in psychological research and Christian belief. Perspectives 

     on Science and Christian Faith, 39, 128-139.

Mitchell, T.R., & Larson, J.R., Jr. (1987). People in organizations: An introduction to

     organizational behavior (3^rd ed.) New York: McGraw-Hill.

     Within the body of the paper, you would simply refer to these in this manner:

     (Myers, 1987) or (Mitchell & Larson, 1987)

     Only cite page numbers in the body of the paper if you are quoting.

     For more information about this writing style, see the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, which is on reserve in the library. Of course, you may ask me questions about papers or ask me to look over a rough draft.

ROLE-PLAYS

     The role-play will be done at the end of the semester. You and a partner will videotape your role-play of a counselor and client. You will have 12 to 15 minutes to role-play a part of a counseling session.  The client will tell the counselor what his or her presenting problem is just before the role-play.  Even though you are just being introduced to the problem, be familiar with principles or techniques so that you can apply them to this situation. 

     When you are to play the role of a client, be familiar enough with the case to act naturally. Don’t bring any notes along with you. If the “counselor” asks you a question that you don’t know the answer to based on the information you have been given, make up what seems most logical to you. Likewise, those who are playing counselors should not be using notes. You are going to need to “think on your feet” pretty well, so you need to be familiar with a few techniques and principles that you think might apply in a variety of situations.

     You will need to arrange with your partner when the two of you can do your role-playing. It will be done in my office, where a video camera will be available. As such, you will sign up for role-playing slots that will be between 8 and 5 Tuesday, April 22 through Friday, April 25.

     Grading criteria for this assignment are located at the back of the syllabus. I strongly suggest that you read the grading criteria prior to preparation for your role play. Please hand in the grading criteria sheet with your videotape to the professor.

TESTS

            The tests will contain multiple choice, matching, short answer and essay items. Study guides will be available approximately one week prior to each test. 

CLASS SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS