Course description:

In this course, the students are introduced to several approaches in counseling and psychotherapy including, person-centered approach, cognitive-behavioral therapy, existential therapy, psychodynamic approaches, gestalt theory, solution-focused, and short-term therapy. The course expands students' knowledge and understanding of a range of models of counseling and psychotherapy and highlights some of the theoretical and practical factors considered important in effective therapeutic intervention. Students will identify the distinguishing characteristics of several theories of psychotherapy particularly as they relate to the link between notions of how change is brought about in human functioning. Students will recognize the appropriateness and limitations of various approaches as they relate to particular clients, problems, settings, and multicultural factors. Students will explore the function and role of client and therapist, and the nature of the relationship between them.  This course must be taken prior to or concurrent with Clinical Practice.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:

1.Describe the counseling and therapeutic process.

2.Differentiate between counseling psychotherapy, and the use of counseling skills.

3.Develop awareness of themselves as a person and professional.

4.Demonstrate active listening skills and understanding of verbal and non-verbal communication.

5.Demonstrate appropriate use of questions, reflection, summarizing and clarification

6.Understand the core theoretical foundations for each theory of psychotherapy, and to apply their therapeutic techniques in practical settings

7.Critique each theory and identify its limitation and power in the field of counseling and psychotherapy