Marital and Family Treatment Techniques

Catalog description

Couples, marital, and family counselors need to be empowered to apply theoretical concepts and develop real-world skills and essential competencies performed in the roles and setting of counseling with a strong understanding of the structures of marriages, couples, and families. Students are engaged in an active learning process applying family therapy theories using theory-informed case conceptualization, clinical assessment, treatment planning, and progress notes. Students would learn to effectively determine factors to address by identifying clients’ presenting issues in alignment with a set of research-based qualities that promote stable, satisfying, and durable relationships. Students would demonstrate how to apply an array of the following theories: Systemic and Strategic Therapies, Structural Family Therapy, Experiential Family Therapies, Intergenerational and Psychoanalytic Family Therapies, Cognitive-Behavioral and Mindfulness-Based Couple and Family Therapies, Cognitive Interpersonal Therapy, Solution-Based Therapies, Collaborative and Narrative Therapies, Group Treatments for Couples and Families. A range of fundamental relationship skills are studied that counselors can incorporate into their practice: Communicating danger signs, handling conflict, problem-solving, clarifying core beliefs and expectations, addressing issues and hidden issues, forgiveness, commitment, preserving and enhancing funds, friendship, and sensuality.