DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELING
Pittsburg State University
Introduction to Counseling and Psychotherapy (PSYCH 745)
Spring 2010
Course Time:
Wed. 6:30-9:20 p.m.
Sect. #:
745-01 (Rm 201 WH)
Credit Hours:
3
Instructor:
Conni Rush
crush@pittstate.edu
Office:
205C Whitesitt Hall
Office Phone: (620) 235-4527
I.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Introduction to Counseling and Psychotherapy is designed to orient students to
professional practice as counselors. Included are historical beginnings, professional
ethics, licensure and certification requirements, various employment sites, beginning
counseling techniques, multi-cultural issues and theories of counseling.
II.
PURPOSE OF THE COURSE
The purpose of the course is to introduce prospective counselors to contemporary practice
in schools and other public agencies.
III.
PREREQUISITES
9 hours of education and/or psychology or permission of instructor.
IV.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
A.
Upon completion of this course the student should be able to:
1.
Distinguish between counseling and psychotherapy. Understand
the concept of counseling in relation to other helping professions
2.
Be familiar with the preparation standards for the counseling area
of your interest; i.e., community counseling, school counseling,
etc.
3.
Describe several work settings for counselors and tell why each
agency exists in our culture.
4.
Be familiar with the historical origins of the counseling profession.
5.
Have simulated experience as a counselor and a coulselee.
6.
Be sensitive to individual uniqueness and individual commonality
within cultural contexts foreign to his/her own.
7.
Recognize why counselors are needed in our culture.
8.
Distinguish between basic concepts and practices of contemporary
counseling theories.
9.
Be aware of the dynamics of his/her own interest in counseling.
10.
Demonstrate an ability to utilize basic facilitative counseling skills.
11.
Understand significance of ethical issues in counseling as well as
become familiar with the Codes of Ethics for ACA.
12.
Become aware of the important function of professional
organizations.
13.
Develop basic library utilization and computer skills.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
Be familiar with public and private policy processes, including the
role of the professional counselor in advocating on behalf of the
profession.
Be aware of the advocacy processes needed to address institutional
and social barriers that impede access, equity, and success for
clients.
Understand strategies for community needs assessment to design,
implement, and evaluate community counseling interventions,
programs, and systems.
Recognize general principles of community intervention,
consultation, education, and outreach; and characteristics of human
services programs and networks (public, private, and volunteer) in
local communities.
Become familiar with effective strategies for client advocacy in
public and other matters of equity and accessibility.
V.
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
A.
REQUIRED TEXT:
Kottler, J. & Brown, R. (2008). Introduction to Therapeutic Counseling
(6 ed.) Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Co.
B.
READINGS FROM PROFESSIONAL JOURNALS:
Professional journal in the counseling, psychology, or mental health field
(see list attached at end of syllabus)
VI.
TEACHING STRATEGIES
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
Lectures
Class Discussions
Readings in Textbook and Additional Printed Materials
Group Activities
Guest Speakers
Videos
Angel
VII.
REQUIRMENTS AND EVALUATION
A.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance and active participation in this experiential course is strongly encouraged.
B.
GROUP ACTIVIES
Students will participate in group activities during class. In most cases, the activities will
relate to the topics of discussion for the week. The activities will be oriented towards
self-awareness among individuals. See the instructor for alternative assignments if you
have a concern about participating in a group activity.
C.
EXAMINATIONS
There will be two examinations through out this course. The final will be noncomprehensive covering only the material since the mid-term.
D.
PAPERS
1.
Counseling as a Profession Paper: Students will be required to write a 2-3 page
APA style paper regarding their views of counseling as a profession. The paper should
include: a) the student’s views about what counseling means to him or her. b) personal
reasons for possibly considering counseling as a profession.
2.
Journal Article Reviews: Students will choose 5 journal article of their choice to
read and review. Articles may be chosen form any professional journal in the counseling,
psychology, and/or mental health field indicated on the attached list and should have been
written within the past three years. Additional journals may be used, but should be preapproved by the instructor. A copy of the article as well as an index card (full front and
back) should be included for each review with the following information: a) a brief
description of the article b) relevance of the article to the student.
3.
Professional Counselor Interview Report: Each student will interview a
professional who works in an area he or she is interested in pursuing as a career. A 2-3
page APA style summary will be submitted. A suggested list of questions are attached to
the syllabus.
E.
EVALUATION
1. 2 exams @ 50 points each.
a. Mid-term
b. Final
2. 3 major projects @ 50 points each.
a. Counseling as a Profession Paper
b. Journal Article Reviews
c. Professional Interview Report
3. Questions of the Day.
4. Class Participation will be considered.
EVALUATION SCHEDULE
2/11/09
Counseling as a Profession paper due
2/18/09
Journal articles due
3/11/09
Midterm
4/1/09
Counseling Interview due
5/13/09
Final
PROFESSIONAL INTERVIEW REPORT
Interview a professional who works in an area you are interested in pursuing as a career.
Write a two-three-page APA style summary of the responses. Below are suggestions of
questions you may want to ask the person you are interviewing. Feel free to expand on
these or ask questions of interest to you.
1.
How did you become interested in your work?
2.
What did you have to do to become what you are today? (i.e.: educational
requirements, certifications, experience, etc.)
3.
What is a typical day like for you at work (if there is one)?
4.
What are the advantages/disadvantages of your work?
5.
Is the salary competitive and is there room for advancement?
6.
What is your work schedule (hours)?
7.
Are there any continuing education requirements and how do you obtain them?
8.
Do you belong to any professional associations or societies that are work related?
Do you believe that it is important to be members of such organizations? Why or
why not?
9.
What kind of advice would you give to a student interested in your area of work?
10.
Is it possible to get involved in this area of work early? How does one go about
doing this?
11.
How do you deal with conflicts that may arise between work and family?
12.
Given the chance, if you had to do all over again, would you go into this
particular career? Why or why not?
13.
Any additional information you feel is important?
Recommended Journals List
Journal of Counseling and Development
Journal of College Student Development
Counselor Education and Supervision
Career Development Quarterly
Journal of Humanistic Education and Development
Elementary School Guidance and Counseling (published until 1997)
Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development
Journal of Employment Counseling
Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development
Counseling and Values
Journal for Specialists in Group Work
Journal of Marriage and the Family
Journal of Offender Counseling
Journal of Mental Health Counseling
The Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling
Counseling Psychologist
Counseling Psychology
Professional School Counseling (available beginning January 1998)
Journal of College Counseling
Journal of Personal and Interpersonal Loss
Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
Professional Counselor
American Journal of Public Health
Journal of Rehabilitation