ASU-HPC-FALL 2009-COURSE SYLLABUS
Course: HPC 5220.101 Counseling Theory and Techniques
Room: ED 200
Meeting Dates and Times: T 9:30am-12:20pm
Facilitator: Hakan Ersever, Ph.D.
Office: ED 102D
Telephone: Office: 828-262 6051
e-mail: erseveroh@appstate.edu
Office Hours: TBA and by appointment as needed.
Required Texts:
1. Corey, G. (2009). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (8th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA:
Brooks/Cole.
2. 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.
Suggested Texts:
1. Corey, G. (2009). Student manual for the theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (8th ed.).
Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.
2. Rastogi, M. & Wieling, E. (Ed.) (2005). Voices of Color. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
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 are disruptive and prohibited.
Make sure your ASU e-mail account is working properly. You will be receiving important
information throughout the semester to your account.
Student Responsibility: Students are expected to follow the ACA code of ethics, North Carolina
Counseling Association code of ethics, the Student Conduct rules and policies for Appalachian State
University and HPC policy. University's academic integrity policy can be found at the Office of Student
Conduct web site: http://studentconduct.appstate.edu/.
Reasonable Accommodation for Students with Disabilities: Appalachian State University is
committed to making reasonable accommodations for individuals with documented qualifying disabilities
in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973. Those seeking accommodations based on a substantially limiting disability must contact and
register with The Office of Disability Services (ODS) at http://www.ods.appstate.edu/ or 828-262-3056.
Once registration is complete, individuals will meet with ODS staff to discuss eligibility and appropriate
accommodations.
If you think you have a disability (physical, learning disability, hearing, vision, psychiatric) which may
need a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Office of Disability Services located in 222 D. D.
Dougherty Building as early as possible. As part of the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is the
responsibility of the student to disclose a disability prior to requesting reasonable accommodation.
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.
Disclaimer: During this course, as a student, as a future professional, and as a person, you will be
exposed to various sensitive/challenging topics, related videos, group discussions, and other material that
will require you to make personal evaluations/explorations. You are also expected to share your personal
views and experiences with the class/group members, and disclose some personal information if you wish
to do so.
Your personal journey and contributions may create a personal challenge, put you in a vulnerable
position, and create personal discomfort. In short, there is a risk involved with being a class/group
member. Same risk and vulnerability also applies to the facilitator/supervisor as a group member.
I do see this vulnerability and personal challenges you encounter during your education as a necessary
component of your education, and your personal growth. Your personal contributions also help other class
members to grow as a professional and as a person.
As the facilitator/supervisor of this course, I choose the materials I use very carefully, and very
professionally. However, I can not control who will be personally offended and who will be comfortable
with what is presented.
I do want every student to feel free to choose what they want to contribute, and what they do not want to
contribute personally to the class. If you feel any discomfort, you can always bring it to the group to be
evaluated. You may also choose to stay silent or leave the classroom environment.
If being a member of the class I am facilitating creates unbearable personal discomfort, you also have the
freedom to drop the class and take it from another professor. You also have the right to complain/express
your concerns about me or my class environment to the department chair and higher authorities.
Use your adult judgment to do the best for yourself. If you feel any discomfort during the class meetings,
my suggestion for each one of you would be to evaluate your discomfort and face the challenging issues
for your personal and/or professional growth. However, the choice is yours. I am confident that you will
make wise decisions.
If you have any questions/comments about the above disclaimer or you would like more information
added to it, please feel free to bring your concerns to class members’ attention.
Exams:
Noncumulative Multiple Choice Type Exams: There will be four (4) announced; noncumulative exams
(further guidelines and dates will be announced). The noncumulative exams will emphasize the material
covered since the prior exam. Exams will be composed of multiple choice type questions designed to
assess your understanding and ability to apply material covered in lectures, readings, and class
discussions. Each exam is worth 7.5 points (7.5% of your final grade) (4X7.5= 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: 11/17/2009.
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.
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. The skills and
techniques covered in the Essential Interviewing text will be the focus of these activities (chapters will be
scheduled). Keep your Essential Interviewing text with you during the 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. 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 30
points (30% of your final grade). Due date: 10/20/2009. You will be sharing this project with the class
members during the later class meetings. Further instructions and scheduling will be provided and
discussed earlier during the semester.
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.
Breakdown of the Grades:
Four noncumulative exams:
Cumulative Final Exam:
ICA/VT:
PTP:
7.5 points each (4X7.5= 30 points)
10 points
30 points
30 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.
Important Websites:
American Counseling Association (ACA)
www.counseling.org
American School Counseling Association (ASCA) www.schoolcounseling.org
N.C. Counseling Association (NCCA)
www.nccounseling.org
N.C. School Counselor Association (NCSCA)
www.nccounseling.org/NCSCA
National Board for Certified Counselors
www.nbcc.org
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 (T 9:30am:-12:20pm)
FALL 2009 TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE
DATES, DISCUSSION TOPICS, AND EXAM DATES:
August 25, 2009
Introduction to the course
Syllabus and class assignments will be discussed
September 1, 2009
Readings:
Introduction and Overview (Chapter 1-Corey)
The Counselor: Person and Professional (Chapter 2-Corey)
Essential Interviewing: Chapter 1 and Chapter 2
September 8, 2009
Readings:
Ethical Issues in Counseling Practice (Chapter 3–Corey)
Psychoanalytic Therapy (Chapter 4–Corey)
Essential Interviewing: Chapter 3 and Chapter 4
September 15, 2009
Readings:
Adlerian Therapy (Chapter 5–Corey)
Essential Interviewing: Chapter 5 and Chapter 6
September 22, 2009
Readings:
Existential Therapy (Chapter 6–Corey)
Essential Interviewing: Chapter 7 and Chapter 8
September 29, 2009
Readings:
Person Centered Therapy (Chapter 7–Corey)
Essential Interviewing: Chapter 9 and Chapter 10
October 6, 2009
Readings:
Gestalt Therapy (Chapter 8–Corey)
Essential Interviewing: Chapter 11 and Chapter 12
October 13, 2009
Readings:
Behavior Therapy (Chapter 9–Corey)
Essential Interviewing: Chapter 13 and Chapter 14
October 20, 2009
Personal Counseling Theory Project/Paper (PTP) Due
Readings:
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (Chapter 10–Corey)
October 27, 2009
Readings:
Reality Therapy (Chapter 11–Corey)
Feminist Therapy (Chapter 12–Corey)
November 3, 2009
Readings:
Postmodern Approaches (Chapter 13–Corey)
Family Systems Therapy (Chapter 14–Corey)
November 10, 2009
Readings:
An Integrative Perspective (Chapter 15–Corey)
Case Illustration: An Integrative Approach in Working with Stan (Chapter 16–Corey)
Group Discussion: Personal Counseling Theory Project/Paper
November 17, 2009
Cumulative Final Exam
Final Class Evaluation
November 24, 2009 (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.