CounselingII:Theories & Practice

Catalog description

This course will focus on psychodynamic techniques which remain widely used in private and institutional practice, especially in outpatient settings. A thorough understanding of these techniques and the underlying theories is an essential component of graduate training. At a minimum, the course would cover Psychoanalytic, Psychodynamic, Existential, Gestalt, and short-term psychodynamic approaches. Lectures will stress theory and case conceptualization. Exercises will address both theory and application. Counselors-in-Training (CITs) will participate in class exercises that will include operationalizing the problem, case conceptualization, treatment planning, practicing specific techniques (in the roles of therapist and client), and considering special issues for certain populations. This course partners with Counseling I: Theories & Practice, which covers cognitive and behavioral approaches, to provide a firm foundation in contemporary counseling theories and techniques. These courses provide CITs with the basis upon which to explore their personal theory and unique style of counseling in preparation for professional clinical practice.