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HPC5220(101)Counseling Theory and Techniques/Fall Semester 2014/COE 428
Tuesday 11:30-2:20, Geri Miller, Ph.D./Room 509G COE Building
262-6048/millerga@appstate.edu/Office Hrs: To be announced (sign up sheet posted on
office door)-emails will be answered during office hours
I. Course Description/Content areas: Theories of counseling will be studied with an emphasis on
in-depth study of several theories and an overview of other theories. The relationships between
the development of one’s personality with learning and life problems will be addressed
throughout the course.
II. Goals/Objectives/Knowledge and Skills Outcomes:
A. Develop a working foundation of personality theory especially with regard to ten
basic theories of counseling (Psychoanalytic, Adlerian, Existential, Person-centered, Gestalt,
Behavior, Cognitive-Behavior, Reality, Systemic, Brief, and Transactional Analysis,) in the
context of life span of human development, normal and abnormal behavior, and development of
morals/intellect, ethics/learning/social issues.
B. Become sensitive to applying personality/counseling theories within the context of
multicultural differences such as gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, physical disability.
C. Be aware of the impact on research on counseling practice.
D. Increase understanding of one=s world view and how that impacts counseling theory.
E. Develop basic listening and responding techniques (including both interviewing and
counseling) which can be applied in practicum.
III.Method of Teaching: Approaches include lecture, role play (demonstration and lab
experiences), videotapes/DVDs. Counseling related research is infused into lecture.
IV. Course Requirements/Student Evaluation: [A range=180-200; B range=160-179;
C range-140-159]. Counseling related research is fused into assignments. The following point
structure will be used to evaluate students.
Activity
Points
1. Attendance/Participation/Audiotape
20
2. Quiz (8 at 15 points each)
120
3. Theory of Counseling Paper
50
4. Final
10
200
1. Attendance/Participation: Attendance and active participation in all classes is expected.
These points hinge on attendance and verbal/nonverbal involvement in class discussions and
exercises. To receive full points, be on time, stay for the entire class, and do not miss any classes.
A marginal grade may be impacted by inadequate class participation. Participation means: 1)
only one person speaks in class at a time, 2) all students will listen to that speaker and not
participate in “sidebar” conversations with other students, and 3) each student will shut off all
electronic devices and not engage in electronic communications.
One area of participation is completing the workbook assignments for the assigned
chapters in the text. The student must bring the workbook with the completed section to
class each day that a quiz is scheduled in order to receive credit. Also, the workbook for
Chapter 3 is due on the last day of class.
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Another area of participation is to listen to/watch conversations (including ones you have
with others) beginning on first day of class. Listen (verbal) and watch (nonverbal) for both how
people talk (advice, directives, disempowering speech) and how they listen to others. Record
what they do well and do poorly in these conversations. Write a 1 page reaction paper (can be
handwritten) summarizing what you learned that facilitates and inhibits conversation. This is
due on 8/26 and can be posted on AsULearn.
Two class periods will be spent on outside classroom assignments. The first is an
audiotape demonstration of skills: This 30 minute audiotape needs to include: introducing self to
a client, obtaining taping consent, explaining confidentiality, opening the session, conducting a
role play session, and ending the session. The client can be anyone who understands this is a
class exercise and the role play can be made up. It is due on 9/9. The second is a reaction paper
to your review of 2 websites related to the counseling field. This 2-4 page paper should include:
-a brief summary (not detailed) of the structure and content of each website
-your reaction to selected content on the site
-your perception of the overall value of the site to counselors
-any information that you think will be helpful to you as a graduate student or future counselor
-any questions that you may have about the site
These can be posted on AsULearn.
2. Quiz: There will be 8 short tests given throughout the semester based on chapters 4-11 of the
Corey textbook. They are noted on the class schedule. Each quiz will have the same format:
a. What is the main philosophy of this theory? (2 points)
b. What are 2 key concepts of this theory? (2 points)
c. What is a main goal of therapy related to this theory? (2 points)
d. What is the therapeutic relationship like with this theory? (2 points)
e. What are two techniques used in this theory? (2 points)
Students will be allowed 15 minutes for the quiz and the quiz will begin when class begins. If a
student is late to class on the day of a quiz, the student will need to take the quiz in the amount of
time left allotted for the quiz. The test cannot be a list of these items, but needs to be written in
complete sentences. Memorize theories from the tables in Chapter 15.
3.Theoretical Paper: The paper is a summary of the student’s theory of counseling and needs to
have these headings: main philosophy, key concepts (at least 2), main goal, therapeutic
relationship, and techniques (at least 2). Also, it needs to include the ideas from a book
related to the student’s theoretical views (the recommended texts at the end of each of the
Corey textbook chapters can be used for this purpose or another book approved by the
instructor).
The 4 page paper needs to be typed (double-spaced, one inch margins, 12 point font) and written
concisely and without error. Points will be deducted for late papers, errors, and not following the
page limits. This paper will be due on 10/21 with a rough draft due on 9/30 on AsULearn.
4. Final Exam: The final exam will be a 10 item, multiple choice exam over all of the theories
discussed in class. A study guide will be given out to students on 10/21.
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V. Textbooks:
Corey, B. (2013). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (9th ed.).
Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole. (Required) (ISBN#978-0-8400-2854-9)
Corey, B. (2013). Student manual for the theory and practice of counseling and
psychotherapy(9th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole. (Required) (ISBN#978-1133309345)
Miller, G. A. (2011). Fundamentals of crisis counseling. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
(ISBN#978-0-470-43830-5)
VI.Policies
Academic Integrity:
As a community of learners at Appalachian State University, we must create an atmosphere of
honesty, fairness, and responsibility, without which we cannot earn the trust and respect of each
other. Furthermore, we recognize that academic dishonesty detracts from the value of an
Appalachian degree. Therefore, we shall not tolerate lying, cheating, or stealing in any form and
will oppose any instance of academic dishonesty. The tenants of ASU’s academic integrity code
will be enforced throughout this course including but not limited to assignments and activities (in
and outside of class). This course will follow the provisions of the Academic Integrity Code,
which can be found on the Office of Student Conduct Web Site
http://www.studentconduct.appstate.edu. It is recommended that students read this document by
clicking on “Academic Integrity Code” for the policy.
Disability:
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. If you have a
disability and may need reasonable accommodations in order to have equal access to the
University’s courses, programs and activities, please contact the Office of Disability Services
(ODS) at (828-262-3056 or http://www.ods.appstate.edu Once registration is complete,
individuals will meet with ODS staff to discuss eligibility and appropriate accommodations.
Religious Observance:
1. Students must be allowed a minimum of two excused absences each academic year for
religious observances. Students are responsible for requesting excused absences for
religious observances required by the faith of a student. Instructors are responsible for
complying with this requirement. In classes in which attendance is taken and/or penalties
are applied for student absences, instructors must document their compliance with the
religious observance policy by tracking student excused absences for religious
observances.
2. For purposes of this policy, the term “religious observances” shall include religious
holidays or holy days or similar observances required by a student’s religion and that
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require absence from class.
3. Student must be afforded the opportunity to make up tests or other work missed due to an
excused absence for a religious observance.
4. Except in extraordinary circumstances, student requests for excused absences for
religious observances must be submitted to instructors in writing no later than three
weeks after the first class day of the term.
Weather Policy
Classes will only be canceled if ASU closes. Class may be postponed in the event of bad
weather. If the instructor postpones the class, students will be notified through a phone tree
system as well as an e-mail through AsULearn. The instructor 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
instructor’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 out the first day of class. If any student is
uncomfortable giving out his/her phone number to the class, it is that student’s responsibility to
let the instructor know he/she does not want his/her name on the list. Any classes postponed will
need to be made up.
Please note that Dr. Miller is a disaster mental health worker for the American Red Cross.
This means that if she is called up for a disaster during the semester, students will be
contacted in the same methods used for weather related changes and arrangements will be
made regarding class schedule changes.
Class Schedule
Date
8/19
Topic (Text Reading)
Assignment Due
Introduction (Chapter 1-Corey)
Overview of Counseling Role (Chapter 2-Corey)
Brief Therapy (Chapter 13-Corey)
Motivational Interviewing
8/26
Brief Therapy (Chapter 13-Corey)
Motivational Interviewing
Crisis Counseling (Miller-Entire book)
Conversation Paper due
Website Reaction Paper due
9/2
Psychoanalytic (Chapter 4-Corey)
Quiz
Workbook Chapters 1, 2, 4
9/9
Adlerian (Chapter 5-Corey)
Quiz
Workbook Chapter 5
Audiotape Demonstration
5
9/16
Existential (Chapter 6-Corey)
Quiz
Workbook Chapter 6
9/23
Person-centered (Chapter 7-Corey)
Quiz
Workbook Chapter 7
9/30
Gestalt (Chapter 8-Corey)
Quiz
Workbook Chapter 8
Rough Draft of Theoretical Paper
due
10/7
Behavior (Chapter 9-Corey)
Quiz
Workbook Chapter 9
10/14
Cognitive-Behavior (Chapter 10-Corey)
Quiz
Workbook Chapter 10
10/21
Reality (Chapter 11-Corey)
Quiz
Workbook Chapter11
Theoretical Paper due
10/28
Systemic [Feminist, Postmodern, Family] Workbook Chapter 12, 13, & 14
(Chapters 12, 13, & 14-Corey)
Ethical Issues (Chapter 3-Corey)
Workbook Chapter 3
Final