Diagnosis & Tx Planning

Catalog description

This course prepares counseling students with the knowledge and skills needed to understand, diagnose, and plan treatment for a wide range of mental health disorders. Students will study the history, theories, symptoms, and etiology of mental and emotional disorders, with careful attention to sociocultural factors that shape mental health and help-seeking behaviors. Using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR; American Psychiatric Association, 2022) and related resources, students will practice differential diagnosis, treatment planning, and the use of evidence-based interventions. The course emphasizes ethical practice, multicultural competence, and clinical judgment, equipping students to integrate diagnostic assessment into effective counseling practice.