Courses

3 Hours

This course is an advanced survey of the practice of clinical psychotherapy. The purpose of the course is to orient students to the contemporary field of clinical psychotherapy and prepare them to engage in direct clinical care of persons. The course will explore the roots of contemporary psychotherapy in the Western cure of souls tradition. Also, students will be exposed to a range of psychological and theological resources applicable in the clinical encounter. These resources will include understandings of what it means to be human, theories of human development and the dynamics of relational systems, the diagnosis of mental and relational dysfunction, and approaches to clinical intervention and treatment. This will all occur in the context of understanding the formation of the professional self of the psychotherapist.

3 Hours

This course is an introductory survey of the phenomenon of psychopathology from the perspective of a Christian theological world view. What are the various forms psychopathology takes and how are they accounted for from a contemporary scientific perspective? How is this “soul suffering” accounted for from a spiritual/religious world view? How can this form of human suffering be addressed and/or ameliorated? These questions will be explored both historically as well as cross culturally.

3 Hours

This course is an introduction to the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association. The DSM shall be understood in the historical context of the “cure of souls” tradition. Students will explore the history, development and current iteration of the APA’s diagnostic system. Students will also correlate the process of diagnosis with the development of treatment plans.

3 Hours

This course is an exploration of the nature of spiritual/religious experience across the life-cycle. Students will be introduced to a variety of theories of human development and the interface of those theories with the shape of moral, religious and spiritual experience at various points of the life-cycle. The course will explore the relationship between biological and environmental influences on the structuring of character and personality and how this influences the formation of individual, family and group spirituality.

3 Hours

This seminar explores ways of understanding the cultural context of relationships and institutions as they contribute to complex social identities in individuals and disclose the necessity of analytical and clinical skills for addressing an increasingly complex society. The range of issues to be explored includes: race, ethnicity, class, age, gender, sexual orientation, cognitive and physical characteristics, and religion.

3 Hours

This course is an exploration of the moral dimensions of, and the ethical and professional issues relevant to, clinical mental health practice. Codes of professional ethics and state laws pertaining to the practice of professional counseling, marriage & family therapy, and clinical pastoral therapy will be examined. Through the use of case studies, students will explore the complex moral and ethical dynamics that emerge in the course of clinical practice.

3 Hours

This course seeks to introduce students to the process of research both through and about psychotherapy. Students will explore the history of research about psychotherapy and how this research can inform the formation and maintenance of caring relationships. Students will also be introduced to processes through which the actual practice of psychotherapy may be the source of new knowledge for and about the discipline. Ethical guidelines for research in psychotherapy will be addressed.

3 Hours

A fundamental skills and techniques course for master’s level counseling students.  The purpose of the course is to provide students with their initial counseling experiences under supervised conditions and for the student to experience a didactic and experimental training with the focus of the course on the development of basic counseling skills which include invitational skills, reflection skills, summarization skills, challenging skills, goal setting skills, assessment skills, application of a theoretical orientation and application of therapeutic technique.  The course will include interactive lecture, demonstration, discussion, participation in skills practice, student to student role playing, student video demonstration of skills, and individual supervision. 

3 Hours

Sexuality is a dimension of human existence that is inescapable. As human beings we do not merely act sexually, rather, we are sexual as living beings. This course will seek to explore this dimension of human existence through the lenses of both psychology and theology. Students will be exposed to the historical understandings of human sexuality that we have inherited from our traditions as well as contemporary scientific and theological understandings.

3 Hours

The practicum is an introductory exposure to the setting of clinical mental health counseling. Students will participate in counseling related activities such as staff meetings, case conferences, record keeping, individual clinical supervision as well as direct client contact in assessment, co-counseling and counseling activities. Students will also participate in a weekly group supervision session under the leadership of program faculty.

3 Hours

The internship is a more intense exposure to and engagement in the setting of clinical mental health counseling. Students will participate in counseling related activities such as staff meetings, case conferences, record keeping, individual clinical supervision as well as direct client contact in assessment, co-counseling and counseling activities. Students will also participate in a weekly group supervision session under the leadership of program faculty. Students are expected to work approximately 20 hours per week in the clinical setting.

3 Hours

A continuation of Internship in Mental Health Counseling; I. Exposure to and engagement in the setting of clinical mental health counseling. Students will participate in counseling related activities such as staff meetings, case conferences, record keeping, individual clinical supervision as well as direct client contact in assessment, co-counseling and counseling activities. Students will also participate in a weekly group supervision session under the leadership of program faculty. Students are expected to work approximately 20 hours per week in the clinical setting.