Applied Child & Family Theory and Clinical Practice

Catalog description

This course is designed to develop the therapeutic skills of students, centered around family therapy and child development. The course offers a practical laboratory environment in which students can refine advanced counseling techniques and systemic theories, focusing on the intricate nature of family dynamics and child growth patterns. The course develops understanding of family dynamics and child development stages, training students in assessment and intervention techniques to alter these dynamics positively. This course includes traditional family therapy strategies and highlights the intersections of lifespan issues, diversity, power, privilege, and oppression within a systemic and child development context. Students will engage with various stages of the family life cycle and child development, addressing the unique challenges associated with each stage. They will also explore how child development theories interweave with family therapy practice, enhancing their understanding of the child within the family system. Art Therapy Specialization Note - Students in this concentration will cover CAAHEP required content, including: A.2. Theoretical Approaches.