This course introduces students to the major counseling theories and related therapeutic practices that have had significant influence on the counseling profession. Emphasis is placed on practical applications of each theory as well as the theory’s historical development. To assist students in understanding how theories are applied in practice, the course will integrate lectures, videos, and case-based discussions. This course was designed to meet the NBCC content requirements for Helping Relationships in Counseling.

Hybrid, In-Person

This course consists of an advanced study of abnormal human behavior. It covers the etiology, symptomatology, incidence, assessment, treatment, and prognosis of the major psychological disorders. Current theoretical approaches and research findings relevant to the etiology and treatment of these disorders including an introduction to psychopharmacology are presented.

In-Person

Through didactic and experiential learning activities, this course enables students to explore the principles of group dynamics; historical and theoretical foundations of group work in community mental health; ethical, legal, and professional issues; techniques and methods of group leadership and development; multicultural issues relevant to group work; and students’ own interpersonal styles of behavior. The course also focuses on the identification of the implicit and explicit role functions of the group members and the group leader. The recognition and awareness of one's own behavior with multiple feedback sources is of primary concern. Prerequisites: COUN 501, COUN 503, COUN 505, COUN 506, COUN 507, COUN 508, COUN 509, COUN 510, COUN 552

In-Person

This course introduces and provides foundational education in clinical interviewing, assessment, and counseling skills. It includes an introduction to the development of clinical hypotheses and treatment conceptualizations based on available data as well as how to use counseling skills effectively with culturally diverse clients. You will be required to explore and demonstrate counseling skills that are necessary throughout the entire process of counseling from initiating, maintaining, and terminating therapeutic relationships.

In-Person

Theoretical considerations, principles, and interventions in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and other empirically validated counseling procedures are covered in this course. This course is designed to provide a general introduction to basic counseling skills, suicide assessment, case conceptualization, and CBT based interventions.

In-Person

This course presents an overview of health and social problems at individual, group, institutional and societal levels. The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the concepts and paradigms used in counseling diverse populations, create a space for critical introspection, and the development of multicultural competencies. Through personal reflection, students have the opportunity to grow personally and develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to work with culturally diverse clients. Completion of this course will provide a foundational understanding of current theories, trends, and issues in counseling special populations; relevant skills to work with diverse populations; and strategies for practicing from a social justice orientation. Students will be expected to examine their own cultural attitudes, experiences, influences, and biases in a safe learning environment.

In-Person

This course consists of a comprehensive survey of the theory and research concerning the physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioral and social aspects of development. Across the lifespan, this course focuses on personal development, family development, and systemic issues from a counseling perspective. It covers the study of the psychology of the growing person from conception through the elder years

In-Person

This course covers the tests and measurement tools used in contemporary counseling, with special emphasis on intellectual and personality variables. Critical concepts and strategies in testing including standardization, reliability, validity and test selection are discussed.

In-Person

The professional and ethical issues confronting the counseling profession in mental health are the focus of this course. It emphasizes appropriate management of common legal and ethical dilemmas encountered in clinical practice. Additionally, this course introduces a space for counselors-in-training to begin a foundation for professional development through self-awareness, advocacy, and involvement in professional organizations.

In-Person

This course familiarizes students with various theories of marriage and family therapy, including the historical context of each. Approaches include narrative, psychoeducation, structural, strategic, intergenerational, cognitive-behavioral, and psychodynamic models. Case studies, critical discussions, role plays and video tapes of master counselors are used to deepen students’ understanding of the different counselors’ models.

In-Person

This course provides specialized knowledge and skills training in counseling children and adolescents. Students will learn to assess behavior and incorporate developmentally, ethnically, legally, and gender appropriate strategies and techniques to meet the needs of counseling children and adolescents.

In-Person

Studies estimate that between 51 and 98% of clients accessing community mental health treatment have trauma histories. More than just PTSD, trauma is a complex disorder requiring assessment of clients’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, as well as their ability to regulate their own physiologic, emotional, and social environments. This class explores how trauma impacts not only one’s cognitive and emotional processing, but also dysregulates one’s neurophysiology, and discusses evidence- based assessments and interventions that counselors can use to help alleviate the negative impact of trauma with their clients.

OnLine

Through engaging didactic and experiential learning activities, this course enables students to master the clinical application of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of the four DBT Skills modules of Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, Interpersonal Skills and Distress Tolerance to treat suicidal and difficult to treat clients. Students will watch and engage in role plays, review case examples, and actively practice skills learned in class. Lastly, Students will collaborate with their peers and get feedback on how to approach the unique challenges of implementing DBT skills with difficult-to-treat clients.

In-Person

This course provides an overview of the pertinent skills and knowledge necessary for clinical practice in integrated primary care settings. Emphasis will be placed on the context of primary care in the healthcare system, the Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) model of behavioral health integration, behavioral medicine approaches for chronic disease management, and targeted, empirically supported interventions from a single session therapy mindset.

Prerequisites: COUN 509

In-Person

This course introduces the student to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (and related practices such as Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP), and Relational Frame Theory (RFT)), and its application to behavioral medicine. Applications within behavioral medicine include disease prevention, health promotion, symptom management, and disease management, particularly where medical methods provide incomplete solutions, such as with chronic health conditions.

In-Person

The course presents a broad discussion of both traditional empirically validated methods for assessing substance use disorders and effectively treating those disorders. Particular emphasis is placed on behavioral and cognitive behavioral counseling approaches.

OnLine

This course presents an overview of the biopsychosocial theories of addiction, with a specific emphasis on integrating these theories into the counseling process. Neurobiological, cognitive- behavior, psychodynamic and traditional 12- step processes will be covered.

In-Person

This course presents both theory and practice of motivational interviewing and mindfulness therapy as well as other empirically validated treatments for addicted clients. Throughout the use of lecture, demonstration and role-plays, students learn how to effectively utilize these counseling techniques in their addiction practice.

In-Person

This course provides information, attitudinal training, and counseling experience for graduate students in the area of human sexuality. It will be a counseling course dealing with basic concepts of human sexual and affectional development as well as the bio-psycho-sexual dynamics influencing sexual behavior throughout the life cycle for diverse groups of people. There is a focus on sex related issues, disorders, and problem behaviors along with appropriate therapeutic treatment. Issues related to sexuality and relationships in counseling are also covered. This course is a balance of examining one’s own personal sexual values and how they affect the counseling relationship, along with didactic information about human sexuality.

In-Person

This course focuses on the application of the current issues associated with clinical mental health counseling, including community-based interventions, the continuum of care, consultation, supervision, licensure, and interprofessional collaboration. Emphasis is placed on the knowledge and skills necessary for advanced case conceptualization and treatment planning, professional development and advancement, systemic issues, and practice management issues. Exploration of current implications in clinical mental health counseling in various domains, such as clinical, administrative, financial, ethical, legal, and cultural, will occur.

In-Person

This course covers advanced skills in marriage, couple, and family counseling. Students apply marriage and family theory and skills acquired throughout the program and allows them to gain a deeper understanding of working with diverse families.

In-Person

Statistical analysis and research design in counseling are covered, including sampling, measurement, hypothesis development and testing, and interpretation of results. This course is designed to teach program evaluation and research methods in counseling while providing the student with a hands- on approach to collecting and analyzing data.

In-Person

This course is designed to develop students' counseling skills through a 100 hour field experience that includes at least 40 client contact hours. This course involves supervised application of counseling and therapy processes with clients. Students participate in weekly small group and individual supervision experiences. Prerequisites: COUN 503, COUN 505, COUN 506, COUN 510

In-Person

A year-long sequence of applied clinical work will promote the development of counseling skills and the integration of theory with real-world experience. In addition, there is intensive supervision, skill development exercises, and literature reviews tailored to the student’s experiences provided in a weekly seminar. This course sequence is required for students’ who major in: Counseling and Clinical Health Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, and Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Addiction and Offenders. Prerequisites: COUN 503, COUN 504, COUN 505, COUN 506, COUN 510, COUN 561

In-Person

A year-long sequence of applied clinical work will promote the development of counseling skills and the integration of theory with real-world experience. In addition, there is intensive supervision, skill development exercises, and literature reviews tailored to the student’s experiences provided in a weekly seminar. This course sequence is required for students’ who major in: Counseling and Clinical Health Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, and Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Addiction and Offenders. Prerequisites: COUN 503, COUN 504, COUN 505, COUN 506, COUN 510, COUN 561, COUN 562

In-Person

An integral part of being a counselor is advocating for clients, populations, and/or the profession. Therefore, PCOM has established an advocacy project requirement for all students. This advocacy project is concentration specific and requires students to actively engage in a project aimed at advocating for clients, populations, or the profession. Students begin working on their advocacy project idea during their first term in the COUN 510, Professional, Legal, and Ethical Issues course. Students then work with their advisor on their advocacy project and present their advocacy project during the Spring term prior to them graduating. Please see appropriate rubric for details.

In-Person

This online course provides an understanding of career development, theories, decision- making models and related life factors. Students are also introduced to career counseling processes, techniques, and resources.

OnLine

This course focuses on the theoretical, historical, philosophical and technical bases of cognitive behavior therapy. Specific treatments for various psychological disorders will be reviewed, and clinical skills will be developed through the discussion of case presentations. This course is a year- long course that is registered in the Fall.

Hybrid

A year-long sequence of applied clinical work will promote the development of counseling skills and the integration of theory with real-world experience. In addition, there is intensive supervision, skill development exercises, and literature reviews tailored to the student’s experiences provided in a weekly seminar. This course sequence is required for students’ who major in: Counseling and Clinical Health Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, and Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Addiction and Offenders. Prerequisites: COUN 503, COUN 504, COUN 505, COUN 506, COUN 510, COUN 561, COUN 562, COUN 563

In-Person

There are three parts to the comprehensive exam in the program. Students register for the objective comprehensive exam in the term in which they take the exam.

There are three parts to the comprehensive exam in the program. Students register for the case conceptualization comprehensive exam in the term in which they take the exam.

There are three parts to the comprehensive exam in the program. Students register for the STEPPS VI comprehensive exam in the term in which they take the exam.