COUN 501 Introduction to Counseling Practice

This graduate-level course introduces fundamental counseling skills needed to facilitate therapeutic change. The objective of this course is to train students to conduct a client interview using the foundational practices of the field. Topics explored include essential interviewing and counseling skills, establishing a therapeutic alliance, counselor characteristics and behaviors that influence helping processes, and professional documentation. Students will also learn a general framework for understanding and practicing consultation and an orientation to wellness and prevention as desired counseling goals. Methods of instruction involve a mixture of in-class face-to-face learning and online asynchronous learning.

Credits

5

Prerequisite

Admission to the MAC Program.

Outcomes

1. This course will prepare students to:
2. a) Conduct a client interview using essential interviewing and counseling skills, to establish and maintain effective counseling relationships.
3. b) Revise attending behavior in response to self-appraisal, in addition to instructor and peer feedback.
4. c) Conceptualize a client from a generalist perspective in consideration of biopsychosocial factors
5. d) Summarize a counseling session in formal clinical documentation formats to produce written communication that meets professional standards
6. e) Develop intrapersonal awareness regarding counseling skill development and self-care practice