Fall Admission: 2-Year Sequence

This course is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the foundations of mental health counseling, the scope of practice, and an introduction to Mental Health Counseling and Consultation approaches.

Introduction to principles, concepts and operations that are necessary for an understanding of individual and group assessment, and of empirical research methodology; derivation of standard scores and other attributes of normative test construction; correlation; reliability; validity; presentation of data in tables and graphs; descriptive statistics and their computation; fundamentals of inferential statistics, including comparison of mean differences by t-tests, simple analysis of variance; chi-square; individual differences and their measurement; and reading and interpreting research reports.

This course covers evidence based cognitive and behavioral counseling theories and techniques as they relate to assessment, case conceptualization and treatment approaches. At a minimum, students will be introduced to Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. Lectures will stress theory and case conceptualization. Exercises will address both theory and application. Students will participate in class exercises that will include operationalizing the problem, case conceptualization, treatment planning, practicing specific techniques (in the roles of therapist and client), and considering special issues for certain populations.

This course provides an overview of the major legislative decisions that have influenced the practices of psychology and counseling, a review of the federal and state laws regulating the practice of counseling, and an introduction to the principles of professional ethical conduct as outlined by the American Counseling Association, CASAC Canon of Ethics, and other related professional organizations. Additionally, Counselors-in-Training (CITs) will address contemporary professional and practice issues, emphasizing the rules and regulations pertaining to professional conduct and the scope of practice for counselors. Legal and ethical responsibilities of counselors are examined as they apply to such topics as: diverse populations, risk management, addictions, crisis intervention and chronic medical conditions. The role of clinical supervision, ethical decision-making, technology, counselor violations, and integrating with community resources will be discussed.

This course focuses on the theories of human development across the lifespan, how those theories stand up to the latest research and their application to real world, culturally diverse settings. It lays the foundation for how the individual develops from conception through old age and gives insight to what the developmental factors are in normal and abnormal development with relation to socialization, cognition and physical development. The course introduces the student to theories of learning, personality development, etiology of addictions and addictive behaviors, and provides a general framework for understanding differing abilities and strategies for differentiated interventions. There is a focus on ethical and culturally relevant strategies for promoting resilience and optimum development and wellness across the lifespan.

This course will focus on psychodynamic techniques which remain widely used in private and institutional practice, especially in outpatient settings. A thorough understanding of these techniques and the underlying theories is an essential component of graduate training. At a minimum, the course would cover Psychoanalytic, Psychodynamic, Existential, Gestalt, and short-term psychodynamic approaches Lectures will stress theory and case conceptualization. Exercises will address both theory and application. Students will participate in class exercises that will include operationalizing the problem, case conceptualization, treatment planning, practicing specific techniques (in the roles of therapist and client), and considering special issues for certain populations.

The course provides an in-depth review of a broad spectrum of psychopathological conditions as defined in the DSM-5. The focus of this review includes the etiology, prevalence & incidence, signs & symptoms, and criteria for differential diagnosis. The emphasis of this review is on comparing and contrasting different theoretical perspectives on each disorder, as well as reviewing the empirical literature in support of these theoretical perspectives. As a graduate level course, this course is at an advanced level and presumes mastery of the content of an undergraduate Abnormal Psychology course.

This course gives students the opportunity to integrate their academic learning and classroom interactions with practical fieldwork experiences, and helps prepare them for their upcoming internship placements. Students participate in a field experience; receive individual supervision at the practicum site and group supervision in the classroom setting; practice integrating assessment and counseling techniques into case conceptualization and treatment planning; and practice documenting their interactions with clients.

This course provides students with a minimum of 100 hours of practicum-related experiences. This includes 75 clock hours of on-site experience, comprising at least 40 hours of direct client contact, 15 hours of on-site individual or dyadic supervision, and 20 hours of indirect client contact opportunities. An additional 25 hours of in-class group supervision is required. This course also includes in-class and out-of-class activities to build student skills in documentation and case conceptualization.

This course is designed to provide an overview of the issues involved in social psychology as well as theories that relate to multiculturalism in our society, especially with regards to the provision of counseling services to culturally diverse clients in the community.

This course is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of theoretical and practice aspects of career development across the life-span. In this context, the major career development theories will be presented as well as the treatment implications for counseling and psycho-educational interventions.

The course provides an overview of the issues involved in Group Psychotherapy and Counseling. The course also explores various psychotherapeutic techniques as they apply to decision making, problem solving, and resolution of conflict involving groups of people of all ages.

The course provides students with a thorough understanding and practical knowledge of the multitude of issues involved in addiction counseling. Assessment and treatment methods with adolescents, adults, and families are explored in detail.

This unique course integrates different perspectives in individual and group assessment while providing an overview of the complex dynamics involved in the assessment and appraisal of individuals, couples, families and groups. Students focus on the different processes involved in assessing the needs of these individuals/groups as well as the provision of counseling and the different counseling techniques.

This course is designed to offer a balance between theory and practice. In addition to mastering the material presented through the readings, lectures and discussions, students will be actively engaged in the learning process through simulated clinical experiences. Students will be introduced to a variety of techniques through the observation and critique of videotapes of master clinicians, in-class role plays, taping and transcription of interviews, and in-class demonstrations. The student’s own personal growth, self-insight, and self-awareness will be an integral component to this course.

Counselors-in-Training (CITs) complete 20 to 25 hours per week (300 hours total) of clinical practice in a community placement while continuing to come to class for support, consultation, and further training. Interns receive a minimum of one hour per week of individual supervision by a licensed mental health professional. Eligibility for this course requires having satisfactorily completed all other coursework in the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and the approval of the chair. 4.5 credits

The course introduces Family Systems theory and explores the family and couple’s culture and cultural beliefs as they pertain to the ways in which they interact and develop. The course further addresses the interactions between family members, especially within socio/economic and cultural contexts, and its impact on mental health and wellness.

This course will examine advanced substance abuse counseling and techniques in detail. This course will focus on the application of various evidence based intervention techniques within various treatment venues. The impact of the addiction on the family, culture and society will also be addressed. The course will include observational activities, demonstrations and role playing of advanced counseling skills.

Counselors-in-Training (CITs) complete an additional 300 hours as outlined in MNHN 770 Internship I.

This course covers the theory, response models and techniques used with people of all ages. It focuses on identification, intervention, and treatment of people of all ages who exhibit signs of distress or who are at-risk for future mental health problems. Individual and group work are explored as a means to therapeutically intervene with those who exhibit signs of traumatic stress.