An introduction and overview of the prominent theoretical approaches to counseling will be provided, including the presentation of personality conceptualization underlying various approaches. Each theoretical model will be reviewed in terms of therapeutic process, client/therapist relationship, as well as specific goal and techniques. Theoretical approaches will be critiqued from a Christian perspective. This course is predominantly lecture based with emphasis on student dialogue. Grade of B or better required.

This course provides a comprehensive orientation to counseling and behavioral consultation practice, including history, roles, organizational structures, standards, and credentialing. It includes an in depth study of ethics for counseling and behavioral consultation professionals and an exploration of multicultural and social justice considerations in counseling and behavioral consultation practice.

This course provides a comprehensive orientation to counseling and behavioral consultation practice, including history, roles, organizational structures and credentialing. It includes an in-depth study of ethics for counseling and behavioral sonsultation professionals and an exploration of multicultural and social justice considerations in counseling and behavioral consultation practice. This course partially fulfulls the 5th and 6th Edition Task List educational requirements for Board Certified Behavior Analysts and/or Licensed Behavior Specialist in Pennsylvania. This couse requires students to purchase training modules which helps them prepare for the BCBA exam. Students subscribe to the modules and use them throught several of their ABA courses.

This course will review current research in human development across the lifespan. It is a study of the developmental changes that occur from conception to death. Special emphasis is given to significant developmental milestones that impact the counseling relationship.

This course is designed to provide a theoretical and practical understanding of the psychology of group dynamics, group behavior and group processes as applied to group counseling in a multicultural society. Participation in an in-class group experience is required.

This course is an advanced study of abnormal human behavior, including a description of symptoms, causes, and treatment. An emphasis is placed on study of the DSM-5-TR along with case presentations. A Christian view of suffering and pathology is provided. Grade of B or better required.

This course is designed to introduce students to a critical examination of the issues, perspectives, and challenges involved in a multicultural and diverse society. An examination of the nature and dynamics of diversity will be discussed, including racial, ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic, religious, age, sexual orientation, disability issues, and gender differences. Special emphasis will be placed on the development of cultural competence, including the nature and dynamics of advocacy, social justice and spirituality, and the exploration of ethical issues involved in multicultural counseling.

The emerging field of mental health traumatology and the work of professionals who specialize in therapeutic approaches to those manifesting problems, symptoms, or disorders in the aftermath of traumatic events are the focus of this course. The course will examine all aspects of trauma as a human experience across the lifespan, including the impact of trauma on physiological, psychological, spiritual, and relational functioning. It will also explore factors impacting healing from overwhelming traumatic events, and a broad overview of evidence-based approaches for preventing and treating traumatic stress will be presented. The ways in which therapists experience vicarious (secondary) trauma and compassion fatigue as occupational hazards will also be addressed, and the course will focus on ways to engage in self-care to ensure competent and ethical practice in caring for traumatized populations.

This course will present an overview of the theories of causation and treatment of substance abuse. Students will gain experience and competency in the use of therapeutic interventions and techniques through active observational learning.

This course will examine the theories, models and processes of crisis intervention and treatment of traumatic stress reactions and disorders. The course will explore ethical issues involved, evidence-based approaches for assessment and intervention, as well as resource identification and referral procedures within the context of the mental health care system. Practice of these strategies and techniques both through case studies and with individual clients will be gained during the semester. The course requires current clinical practice (internship or employment) with clients having trauma history, with capacity to submit recorded sessions from one counseling case for course assignments. Students will follow professional ethics for 1) securing consent by clients and permission of supervisors, and 2) protecting client confidentiality. (Prerequisite: CNSL 531)

This course surveys theory and practice related to the career development of children, adolescents, and adults in changing economic, psychological, social and educational contexts. Students examine multiple resources and tools for career exploration. They apply these to their own career development and to social justice advocacy for expanding career options of those they serve. Students also practice conducting career exploration interviews, administering, scoring, and interpreting career assessment instruments, and integrating findings in written reports and/or feedback sessions.

This course will provide an overview of grief and loss theory and counseling, including exploration of mourning across the lifespan, assessment of complicated mourning and abnormal grief reactions, and interventions to facilitate healthy grieving--including those for special grieving populations. The course will explore cultural and spiritual issues involved in grieving, and will use experiential activities for students to explore and develop their own frameworks for meaning making in suffering, death, and loss.

Analysis of major types of social science research, familiarization with biographical sources and literature survey procedures; evaluation; implication and application of research; basic statistics; survey of computerized statistical programs; and practice in common statistical and research procedures.

This course will present an overview of marriage and family therapy research and practice. Students will explore the history of the field, its major theorists, assessment methods, and research on marriage and family relationships and therapy outcome. Students will learn assessment and intervention techniques via lecture, demonstration, and active class participation so as to incorporate family systems work in their own counseling practice or collaborate with colleagues utilizing these approaches.

This course allows students to begin their practicum or internship field experience prior to the weekly seminars which will begin in the fall semester. Its online format allows students to interact with the instructor and peers to obtain support and feedback as needed. (Supervision is provided by the approved field site supervisor). No academic credit is awarded for this course, but the course appears on the academic transcript. Graded pass/fail.

This introductory clinical skills course is a practical application of the major theories and techniques of adult individual psychotherapy. An overview of the counseling process is presented, and foundational skills for establishing the therapeutic alliance and working with client background, emotions, thoughts and behaviors are demonstrated and practiced in class. The course equips students to become agents of social change and explores the theoretical, research, and theological bases of the intervention approaches and basic steps for individualizing these to unique client needs. Students also learn social justice approaches to counseling and psychotherapy. A grade of B or better is required.

This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive framework for understanding the development and psychodynamics of human personality structure and functioning, including an understanding of basic types of personality/character organization or style. The course will provide students with an assessment framework for understanding personality dynamics through the use of cognitive, object-relational, affective and behavioral dynamics at both conscious and unconscious levels. The course will also integrate Biblical and theological insights, as well as cultural issues that affect personality dynamics. Grade of B or better required. (Prerequisite: CNSL 511)

This course surveys the major concepts in assessment, including the social, legal, and ethical issues involved in construction, selection, administration, scoring, and interpretation of psychological tests. Students will be introduced to the major categories of assessment instruments and to representative instruments in each category. A grade of B or better is required for School Psychology students to progress to CNSL 615. Materials fee applies.

The course will provide principles, models and methods of biopsychosocial assessment to aid in case formulation and treatment planning. Students will have opportunities to gain skills in assessment and strategy selection via in-class demonstration, roles plays and practice with clients. A grade of B or better is required to pass. (Pre-requisites: CNSL 500, 518, 602, 609)

This advanced clinical skills course builds upon the foundations of previous theoretical courses and the basic skills introduced in CNSL602. The focus is on forming interventions that enrich the clinical dialogue through integration and application of techniques from across the field of counseling practice. Skills will be demonstrated and practiced in class, and students will conduct a course of psychotherapy with a volunteer client. The course also requires a field placement of 100 hours in an approved clinical setting. A grade of B or better is required. (Prerequisites: CNSL 500, 505, 518, 602, 609)

This seminar course accompanies the Clinical Counseling internship placement which requires a minimum of 300 hours of supervised training in an approved clinical setting. The internship placement and seminar classes provide opportunities for application of knowledge and skills gained over the course of the program to diverse client populations and professional settings. Seminar topics are drawn from student field placement experiences, and include: professional roles and functions, ethical and legal standards, and strategies for working with diverse populations. Both individual and group supervision is provided. To be eligible for this course, the student must have the approval of the department and be in Good Academic Standing. The course is graded pass/fail. (Prerequisite: CNSL 625, co-requisite CNSL614)

This second seminar course accompanies the Clinical Counseling internship placement which requires a minimum of 300 hours of supervised training in an approved clinical setting. The internship placement and seminar classes provide opportunities for application of knowledge and skills gained over the course of the program to diverse client populations and professional settings. The course builds upon the previous seminar course with topics drawn from student field placement experiences and in preparation for entry into the counseling field, including: professional credentialing processes, career development, and professional self-care. Both individual and group supervision is provided. The course is graded pass/fail. (Prerequisite: CNSL 675)

This course focuses on applying basic research principles to an empirical research project in the field of counseling. The types of projects include but are not limited to survey research, quasi-experimental/true experimental research, single-subject research, and program evaluation. The final format of the project can be a thesis, a research report, or a manuscript ready for professional journal submission. This course is delivered over two semesters, Fall and Spring, 1.5 credits each semester. Graded Pass/Fail. (Prerequisite: CNSL 575)