ASU-HPC-SPRING 2008-COURSE SYLLABUS
Course: HPC 5220.101 Counseling Theory and Techniques
Room: ED 200
Meeting Times: R 5:30-8:20pm
Facilitator: Hakan Ersever, Ph.D.
Office: ED 102D
Telephone: Office: 828-262 6051
e-mail: erseveroh@appstate.edu
Office Hours: M: 8:00-9:00am; 5:00-6:00pm; W: 8:00-9:00am; 12:00-2:00pm; R: 3:30-5:30pm, and by
appointment as needed.
Required Texts:
1. Corey, G. (2005). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (7th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA:
Brooks/Cole.
2. Corey, G. (2005). Student manual for the theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (7th ed.).
Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.
3. Evans, D. R., Hearn, M. T., Uhlemann, M. R., and Ivey, A. E. (2008). Essential interviewing: A
programmed approach to effective communication (7th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.
Course Description: HPC 5220 is a didactic and experiential course intended to provide students with
the knowledge and skills of selected counseling theories and techniques that are essential in helping
relationships. Major counseling theories and techniques will be explored in a multicultural and historic
context. This class will have a balance of content and experiential components, including lecture,
discussion, and role play. A portion of the course will provide students with the opportunity to practice
basic counseling skills, and techniques.
Students will be encouraged to examine their own feelings and attitudes about different counseling
theories and techniques, and to search and examine for personal meanings of the subject matter through
classroom discussions and assignments, and contribute their experiences to the class.
Course Objectives and Competencies: as defined by CACREP Standard II.K. a-g (Helping
Relationships). Students will have an opportunity to:
 Identify and describe the basic tenets and key concepts of the major counseling theories;
 Identify key figures associated with theoretical models;
 Articulate the main philosophical differences between selected theoretical approaches;
 Compare and contrast strengths and limitations of the various models studied;
 Identify the historical and cultural perspectives of the theories;
 Recognize the attitudes, values and beliefs which according to the theories facilitate change
and growth;
 Understand and implement counseling techniques necessary for an effective interview;
 Integrate and apply major techniques in a problem solving process;
 Describe the conditions under which particular theoretical models and techniques can be
utilized most effectively;
 Assess personal assets, limitations and reactions to theories as a potential counselor and
develop an initial personal philosophy of counseling.
Class Attendance: Students are expected and required to attend all scheduled class meetings, and
participate actively in class by asking questions, providing feedback for the members of the class, and
taking part in daily class discussions in an atmosphere of mutual respect and professionalism.
If you miss a class meeting it is your responsibility to make up work, acquire handouts, notes, etc. You
are expected to arrive on time and stay for the full duration of the class period. The facilitator should be
notified regarding anticipated deviations from this policy.
There will also be in class assignments/activities performed during the class meetings. If you miss the class,
you will not be permitted to make up for those activities.
A record of attendance will be kept, and will be used in the evaluation of each student’s final course
grade. You can be absent from one (1) class meeting without and deductions from your final grade. Each
additional absence will result in five (5) points taken out of your final grade. More than three (3) absences
will result in a failing grade regardless of academic good standing. Tardiness, early leaves, or “extended
breaks” will be noted and counted toward absences.
The use of cellular phones, beepers, or other electronic devices is disruptive and prohibited.
You will read and abide by the Academic Integrity Code of the ASU Code of Student Conduct
(http://www.web.appstate.edu/academic_affairs/academic_integrity_index.htm).
Make sure your ASU e-mail account is working properly. You will be receiving important
information throughout the semester to your account.
Reading Assignments: Reading assignments (related chapters of the texts, and other materials that may
be provided by the facilitator) are to be completed prior to the class meetings on the specified dates. The
intent of the assigned course reading is to provide you with initial exposure to important ideas about the
subject matter. Classroom activities will highlight some of the reading material (not all!) and provide new
material in addition to the textbook. Students will be responsible for all material covered during the class
meetings, and exams will cover all material that is discussed in class meetings in addition to the textbook.
Student Confidentiality: Any information about a class member will not be disclosed to third party
members. The facilitator and other class members will respect, and abide by the confidentiality policy of
the institute.
Exams:
Noncumulative Take Home Exams: There will be five announced; noncumulative take home exams
(further guidelines and dates will be announced). The noncumulative exams will emphasize the material
covered since the prior exam. Exams may be composed of multiple choice, fill in the blanks, and short
answer/essay type questions designed to assess your understanding and ability to apply material covered
in lectures, readings, and class discussions. Each exam is worth 6 points (6% of your final grade) (5X6=
30 % of your grade).
Cumulative Final Exam: There will be a final exam (please check the class schedule for the final exam
date). Final exam will consist of multiple type questions, and emphasize the material covered during the
semester. Final exam is worth 10 points (10% of your final grade). Final exam date: 04/24/2008.
You should be on time for tests. No extra time will be given to latecomers, and no one will be permitted
to start an exam after the first person finished the exam.
The exam questions will also prepare you to take and successfully pass the psychological assessment
component of the National Counselor exam (NCE).
Make-up Tests: Exams can be made up only if it has been arranged with the facilitator before the
scheduled exam date. Please see the facilitator if there is a legitimate reason why you can not take an
exam at the scheduled date and time.
Make-up exams are given only for university sponsored activities (please present your documentation,
and schedule your make-up exam prior to departure), and documented significant illness, and family
responsibilities/emergencies (you must notify the instructor within twenty-four hours of the exam of your
reason for missing the exam, and prior to the next class meeting that you are able to attend you must
present evidence of the illness/emergency, and schedule the make-up exam).
In Class Activities/Video Taped Interviews (ICA/VT): This course will also focus on the development
of basic counseling skills. You will be exposed to certain activities during class meetings. You will be
demonstrating these skills by working in small groups/triads. In each group, one person will act as a
client, another as a counselor, and the other will observe. You will be asked to videotape this interaction.
Each videotaping will allow all group members to rotate each of the roles. The skills and techniques
covered in the Essential Interviewing text will be the focus of these activities. Each group will be
expected to share their videotape recordings with the class members. Class members will give respectful
feedback related to counseling strengths and areas that need further development. Further instructions and
scheduling will be provided and discussed earlier during the semester. Combination of these activities
will be worth 30 points (30% of your final grade).
Personal Counseling Theory Project/Paper (PTP): You are asked to start developing your own
personal theory of counseling as you are in the developmental process of becoming a counselor, and write
a detailed paper representing it. Your personal theory of counseling will evolve as you develop
professionally. This paper will represent your personal counseling theory as you see it right now.
To complete this project you are asked to study/evaluate the major counseling theories, and come up with
a blend of theories that best represents you own theory of counseling.
Your typed report paper should explain your theory, citing all necessary references to support your points.
The paper needs to cover the main philosophy and key concepts of the theory, main goal of this
theoretical approach, and how the theory relates to the counseling process including both the therapeutic
relationship and techniques used.
This project paper will be a summary of your current theory of counseling and therefore needs to be
linked to your personal theory of human development. In other words, the evidence presented needs to
support how the theory or blend of theories chosen relates to how you see normal development occurring,
how you see development going awry, and how you understand developmental problems may be
addressed for a positive change in mental health for the client.
To complete this project you may use the Corey text may be used. However, you are also requires to use
additional ideas from at least five (5) other sources (sources such as journal articles, books, book chapters,
edited books, unpublished manuscripts, research reports, dissertations, etc.).
There is no page limit for your paper. Your paper should be typed, double spaced, and use a 12-point font.
You are expected to follow APA format (especially for the references). However, you are also free to use
your creative expressions presenting your personal counseling theory. The completed project is worth 20
points (20% of your final grade). Due date: 03/27/2008. You will be sharing this project with the class
members during the last class meeting.
You will also have opportunities to earn some extra credit points toward your final grade.
If you miss the class, you will not be permitted to make up for those activities.
All assignments are due at the beginning of the assigned date. Late work will receive 25% deduction per
day, starting on the first day. If you can not be in class that day, you should make arrangements to get
your assignment to the facilitator on time. You may not e-mail assignments to the facilitator.
All assignments must be word processed. Computer problems will happen; take the necessary precautions
to ensure that your work is not lost or destroyed. Be sure to save a copy of the file for yourself.
Group Presentation and Report: Students will work in groups of two (or three), select a counseling
theory of their choice, and prepare a 20-30 minute presentation in which they discuss the major points of
their interpretation. Students are strongly encouraged to be creative, include visual aids, and incorporate
individual expression, and activities of their choice into these presentations. Please check class schedule
for the presentation dates.
Also, as a group, you are asked to write a report about your work and hand it to the facilitator of the
course the same day (further guideline will be provided earlier during the semester). Each group will
receive feedback on their presentations. Group Presentation and Report will be worth 10 points (10% of
your final grade). Group formations and topic selection will be discussed during the first class meeting,
and finalized groups/topics are due to be reported to the facilitator on 01/30/2008.
Personal Course Portfolio (PCP): You are required to keep your course work in a folder/portfolio and
presented to the facilitator in the final class meeting (scheduled for 04/24/2008). This portfolio/folder will
contain all the important information regarding counseling theory and techniques learned throughout the
semester. This portfolio/folder should be well organized, in a sequential manner, including tabs to
distinguish each segment of the course. This comprehensive portfolio/folder will be very handy when you
are preparing for your future professional development. Your personal portfolio is worth 10 points (10%
of your final grade). Keep your PCP with you during the class meetings.
Breakdown of the Grades:
Five noncumulative take home exams: 6 points each (5X6= 30 points)
Cumulative Final Exam:
10 points
ICA/VT:
25 points
PTP:
15 points
Group Presentation:
10 points
PCP:
10 points
Total: 100 points
ASU Graduate School Grading Scale:
100-95 A; 94-90 A-; 89-86 B+; 85-83 B; 82-80 B-; 79-76 C+; 75-73 C; 72-70 C-; Below 70 F
Weather Policy: Classes will only be cancelled if the university is closed. Class may be postponed in the
event of bad weather. If the facilitator postpones the class, students will be notified through a phone tree
system. The facilitator will call the first person on the list who will contact the second person on the list
and so on until each person is contacted. If a student cannot reach the person they are to contact, they
need to leave a message on the facilitator’s answering machine stating the name of the student that could
not be reached and then contact the next person on the list. A phone tree list will be drawn up the first day
of class and copies of the phone tree list will be given during the second class. If any student is
uncomfortable giving out his/her phone number to the class, it is that student’s responsibility to let the
facilitator know he/she does not want his/her name on the list. Any classes which are postponed will need
to be made up.
Please remember, this syllabus is tentative-subject to change, and you will be informed in advance concerning
the changes to this syllabus.
Please inform me if you have special learning needs. I will do my best to accommodate legitimate needs.
I hope your experience in this course will be a meaningful one that contributes to your academic integrity,
and enhances your personal growth.
HPC 5220-101/COUNSELING THEORY AND TECHNIQUES (R 5:30:-8:20pm)
SPRING 2008 TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE
DATES, DISCUSSION TOPICS, AND EXAM DATES:
January 17, 2008
Introduction to the course
Group Presentations will be discussed
January 24, 2008
Readings:
Introduction and Overview (Chapter 1-Corey)
The Counselor: Person and Professional (Chapter 2-Corey)
Student Manual: Chapters 1 and 2
January 31, 2008
Finalized groups/topics will be handed to the facilitator
Readings:
Ethical Issues in Counseling Practice (Chapter 3–Corey)
Psychoanalytic Therapy (Chapter 4–Corey)
Student Manual: Chapters 3 and 4
February 7, 2008
Readings:
Adlerian Therapy (Chapter 5–Corey)
Student Manual: Chapter 5
Group Presentation-I: Adlerian Therapy
February14, 2008
Readings:
Existential Therapy (Chapter 6–Corey)
Student Manual: Chapter 6
Group Presentation-II: Existential Therapy
February 21 (NCCA Conference; No Class Meeting)
February 28, 2008
Readings:
Person Centered Therapy (Chapter 7–Corey)
Student Manual: Chapter 7
Group Presentation-III: Person Centered Therapy
March 6, 2008
Readings:
Gestalt Therapy (Chapter 8–Corey)
Student Manual: Chapter 8
Group Presentation-IV: Gestalt Therapy
March13, 2008 (Spring Break; No Class Meeting)
March 20, 2008
Readings:
Behavior Therapy (Chapter 9–Corey)
Student Manual: Chapter 9
Group Presentation-V: Behavior Therapy
March 27, 2008
Personal Counseling Theory Project/Paper is due
Readings:
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (Chapter 10–Corey)
Student Manual: Chapter 10
Group Presentation-VI: Cognitive Behavior Therapy
April 3, 2008
Readings:
Reality Therapy (Chapter 11–Corey)
Feminist Therapy (Chapter 12–Corey)
Student Manual: Chapters 11 and 12
Group Presentation-VII: Reality Therapy
Group Presentation-VIII: Feminist Therapy
April 10, 2008
Readings:
Postmodern Approaches (Chapter 13–Corey)
Family Systems Therapy (Chapter 14–Corey)
Student Manual: Chapters 13 and 14
Group Presentation-IX: Postmodern Approaches
Group Presentation-X: Family Systems Therapy
April 17, 2008
Readings:
An Integrative Perspective (Chapter 15–Corey)
Case Illustration: An Integrative Approach in Working with Stan (Chapter 16–Corey)
Student Manual: Chapters 15 and 16
April 24, 2008
Personal Course Portfolio (PCP) due
Cumulative Final Exam
Group Discussion: Personal Counseling Theory Project/Paper
Final Evaluation
May 1, 2008 (Snow/Make up day if necessary)
(You will be informed about any changes to this schedule via email.)
As a participant of this course, you have the power to shape the course content by bringing
related topics of your interest, and your suggestions into the class meetings/discussions. Your
input is valued highly, and crucial to the optimum learning atmosphere of this course.
I encourage each one of you to bring your unique ideas and suggestions to the class meetings.