COURSE SYLLABUS
Department of Educational Psychology
University of Houston
EPSY 6325
Instructor:
Theories of Counseling
Section 12694
Consuelo Arbona, Ph.D.
carbona@uh.edu
Fall 2013
Room: 15
Office FH 410
Tel. 713-743-9814
When possible, and in accordance with 504/ADA guidelines, we will attempt to provide reasonable
academic accommodations to students who request and require them. Please call ext.35400 for more
assistance
EPSY 6325 is a required course in the Counseling masters program. EPSY 6325 is a pre-requisite for
several other courses such as EPSY 6335 Group Counseling, EPSY 6391 Counseling Lab, and EPSY
7393 practicum. This course meets the following standards: the Examination for the Certification of
Educators in Texas (ExCet), Field 152-School Counselors: Domain I Understanding StudentsCompetencies ; Domain II Planning and Implementing the Developmental Guidance and Counseling
Program; and, Domain III Collaboration, Consultation and Professionalism. In addition, this course is
designed to satisfy an academic requirement for the Licensed Professional Counselor Act in Texas.
DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE
EPSY 6325 provides an overview of major psychological theories and techniques used in
counseling relationships. The course covers the theory part of the content examined in Section 3
Helping Relations of the NCE exam and the program’s comprehensive exam (Counselor
Preparation Comprehensive Examination; CPCE). The courses EPSY 6391 Intro Lab and EPSY
6375 Family Counseling also include information related to Section 3 of the NCE and CPCE
examinations.
OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE
In collaboration with each other, students will learn the concepts of the major theories of
personality and behavior change and will understand how these concepts are applied in
counseling relationships. Students are expected to carry forth the experiences in this course by
assuming leadership roles in the provision of counseling services to diverse populations in their
practicum sites and, upon graduation from the program, in their respective professional positions.
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In this course students will demonstrate knowledge regarding:
1. The concepts that characterize each of the major psychological and personality theories
applied to counseling and psychotherapy.
2. Counseling interventions associated with each theory covered in class.
3. The application of major constructs and interventions associated with each theory to
conceptualize hypothetical clients presented in case studies.
REQUIREMENTS

Attendance to class lectures, view of therapy tapes and participation in class discussions are
essential components of this course. These activities are designed to help students integrate
the material covered in the course. This integration is a key element in the process of
translating theory into practice in actual counseling encounters.

Reading all assigned materials before class is necessary for students to get the most out of the
lectures.

In-class exams must be taken on the day and time specified in the syllabus.
MATERIALS
Corey. G. (2013) Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. (Edtion 9th or earlier).
Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole. TXT
Corey, G. (2013/2009). Case approach to counseling and psychotherapy. (8th edition or earlier).
Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole CSBK
Arbona - Outline Case Conceptualization (found in web site)
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Instructor’s web site: http://faculty.coe.uh.edu/arbona/
1. Please visit the web site indicated above to obtain materials for the class including:
syllabus, reading assignments, study guides for in-class tests, power point presentations
used in class and instructions for final take-home exam.
2. Once you open the web site, click the Courses tab, and then the EPSY 6325 tab. In order
to access the course materials you need to have a CITE Lab username and password.
3. To obtain a CITE Lab username and password visit https://myadvisor.coe.uh.edu/ and
click on the Create/Reset Your Account link. Students must be enrolled in a College of
Education course during the present semester in order to be able to create an account.
4. Students having trouble obtaining a CITE username and password please visit the CITE
Lab in Farish Hall 3rd floor.
COURSE PRODUCTS and GRADING
Exam I
Exam II
Class attendance/participation
Final Take Home Exam
30%
30%
10%
30%
Total
100%
Objectives 1 and 2
Objectives 1 and 2
Objectives 1, 2 and 3
Objectives 1, 2 and 3
Study guides for the three in-class exams and instructions for the take-home exam are posted in
the instructor’s web page. The case study for the take-home exam will be distributed in class.
Grades for the Take Home Exam will be based upon:
a. Quality of writing (sentence structure, paragraph organization)
b. Accuracy of presentation/application of theoretical concepts of the two main theories
used:
 Conceptualization of the case
 Description of goals and interventions consistent with each theory
c. Breadth and depth of understanding demonstrated by your reactions, commentary, and
critique
o Take Home Exam should be typed and double-spaced in 12 type font.
o Staple the papers do not bound them.
o Only write your People Soft number on the paper, not your name.
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Schedule Fall 13
Date
Class
#
Topic
Readings
Introduction
Video Stan 1: initial Session
TXT Chap 1
2
Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic
Video: Ruth 1 and 2 Relationship/Goals
TXT Chapter 4 up to Jung’s Perspective
CSBK Chapter 1 including Ruth’s case
11
3
Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic
Video: Stan Psych D therapy Resistance/Transf
CSBK Chapter 2 (Psychoanalytic)
18
4
25
Oct.
2
5
Object Relations
Video: Richard/Strupp
Adler’s Theory
Video: Ruth #5 Resistance; #10 Transference
Stan Adlerian: Early recollections
6
Roger’s Person Centered
Video: Rogers - Gloria
TXT Chapter 4 Jung’s Perspective to end
Outline Case Conceptualization pp. 1-7
CSBK Chap 3 (Adlerian)
TXT Chapter 5 (Adlerian)
Outline Case Conceptualization pp. 8-10
TXT Chap 7 (Person Centered)
CSBK Chapter 5 (Person-Centered)
Outline Case Conceptualization pp. 10-11
9
7
Case Study Conceptualization/ Exam Review
Video Rogers: Kathy
EXAM 1
PsychoD-Object Relations, Adler, Rogers
Existential, Gestalt
Video: Stan (immediacy- Rog) Exist (death/mng)
Pearls- Gloria
Gestalt/Behavioral
Video:Stan Gest. Dream work; Ruth #7empty ch
Ellis- Gloria
Behavioral/Cognitive Behavioral
Video: Stan 7 beh rhrsl/assertive/8 faulty belf.
Beck: Richard
Post-Modern Apps-Solution Focused Brief Th.
Feminist Approach
Video: Stan- Solution Focused Therapy
Case Study Conceptualization: Exam Review
Video: Lazarus Kathy
Aug
28
Sept
4
16
1
8
23
9
30
10
Nov.
6
11
13
12
20
13
Group Discussion Handout: Kathy
TXT Chapter 6 CSBK Chapter 4 (Existential)
TXT Chap 8 (Gestalt)
Outline Case Conceptualization pp. 11-13
CSBK Chapter 6 Gestalt)\
TXT Chapter 9 (Behavior);
CSBK Chapter 7 (Behavior)
TXT Chapter 10 (Cog Behavioral);
CSBK Chapter 8 (Cog Behavioral)
Outline Case Conceptualization pp. 13-15
TXT Chap 13 ( only pp 397-410 & 424-27)
TXT Chaps 12
CSBK Chaps. 10 & 11
Group Discussion Handout: Kathy
Thanksgiving Holiday
27
Dec.
4
Dec
11
14
Exam 2
Existential, Gestalt Behavioral/Cog Beh.
Post-Modernist/Feminist approaches
Printed-- on my box by 3:00 P.M.
Take Home Exam Due
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