Graduate Academic Catalog 2012-2013

2012-2013 Graduate Programs Academic Catalog

within a developmentally appropriate framework.

Personal exploration of one’s own developmental

process is built into course assignments.

Consideration also is given to the process of spir-

itual transformation as an integral part of the

Creator’s design for growth.

Prerequisite:

under-

graduate Developmental Psychology.

CNS 6410

Counseling Techniques..............................................(3)

This course is an introduction to the basic coun-

seling skills that are foundational to doing effec-

tive individual and marriage and family therapy.

Students are required to understand and to suc-

cessfully demonstrate basic counseling skills in

the form of videotaped competencies in order to

progress through the course. While counseling

techniques and therapeutic skills are important,

they do not replace the person of the counselor

as the primary intervention tool. Emphasis is as a

person impacts the therapeutic alliance with

clients, and not just what the counselor does in

the session to help facilitate client change. This

course is taught largely from a client empowered

“not knowing” solution-building model. Lab Fees:

$250 (fee subject to change)

CNS 6420

Diagnostics of Psychopathology ..............................(3)

This course provides the student with advanced

skills in the diagnostics of psychopathology,

including coverage of the most current Diagnostic

and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

with a focus on differential diagnosis. The student

develops the ability to synthesize skills and

understanding from other courses into an inte-

grated process of client engagement, assess-

ment, case conceptualization and treatment

planning. Students are trained to diagnose using

role plays, and are being presented with atypical

symptoms, multiple diagnoses, and overlapping

criteria. In order to develop a whole person and

contextual understanding of pathology, a variety

of perspectives are presented, including biologi-

cal, systemic, spiritual, developmental, intrapsy-

chic, interpersonal and cultural. The student then

builds treatment plans that demonstrate a grasp

of the client’s strengths, resources, family struc-

ture/relationships, pathology, and readiness for

change.

Prerequisite:

CNS 5420

Psychopathology

CNS 6430

Assessment in Counseling ........................................(3)

This course presents students with an under-

standing of the psychometric theories and practi-

cal approaches concerning the assessment of

individuals, couples and families, while equipping

the student with the skills and competencies nec-

essary to incorporate assessment strategies into

the helping process. Assessment, including mar-

riage and family therapy methods and major

mental health assessment methods and instru-

ments, are covered. Focus is placed on informa-

tion gathering methods, evaluating test validity

and reliability (controlling for factors that may

influence assessment results), and application of

assessment practices as an integral part of coun-

seling, and marriage and family therapy.

Prerequisite:

Candidacy. Additional purchase of

assessment materials is required for this course.

CNS 6431

Assessment & Treatment of Childhood Disorders ....(3)

This course introduces students to developmen-

tal, self-regulation and systems perspectives

used to understand, diagnose, and treat disor-

ders of childhood and adolescence. Students are

provided an understanding of the normal and

abnormal developmental issues of children; the

process of mastering self-regulation throughout

development in various domains; the impact of

relational dynamics within various systems (fami-

ly, school, church, etc.); and the trend of the self’s

consolidation and conceptualization of these vari-

ous vectors of life. The student is then able to

form diagnosis and treatment plans that flow from

their relational understanding of the child’s life

based on the above models. Treatment issues are

covered within the confines of treatment planning

(as opposed to how to do therapy), including

such areas as applied behavioral analysis, cogni-

tive-behavior treatment, interpersonal treatment,

psychopharmacology, community and school-

based treatment, etc.

Prerequisite:

Candidacy.

Assessment Material Fee: $75 (fee subject to

change).

Course Descriptions (Counseling)

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