4770 PSYC I N T RO D U C T IO N T O C O U N SELIN G T EC H N IQ U ES S pring 2009 Instructor: Kurt D. Baker, Ph.D. Office: C236 Phone: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Office Hours: Th 9-12 W eb: psyc.csustan.edu/kbaker and by appointment Prerequisites PS 3790 Introduction to Counseling Theory, senior standing, and consent of instructor. YC Texts Ivey, A. E. & Ivey, M. B. (2007). Intentional interviewing and counseling: F acilitating client development in a multicultural society (6th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole (IS BN: 0495006203). Brief Course Description This course will examine the methods and process of counseling and of becoming a psychotherapist. It is designed to teach basic counseling skills via discussion, demonstration, and role play. You will be expected to explore different counseling techniques and approaches and reflect on your process of becoming a counselor. Objectives The goals of this course are to help students: 1. Learn basic interviewing skills and communication skills including attending, client observation skills, questioning, use of encouragers, paraphrasing, summarization, reflection of feelings, empathy, structuring the interview, confrontation, reflection of meaning, focusing, influencing, and skill integration. 2. Apply the basic interviewing and communication skills in role play experiences during class time. 3. Gain an understanding of ethical issues in providing therapy and develop a personal commitment to ethical behavior. 4. Develop critical thinking and conceptualization skills in understanding psychological methods of change. 5. Develop self-awareness related to your potential for becoming a therapist. Evaluation Baseline Video Tape: You are to make a 15-20 minute video of yourself interviewing an individual about a concern they have. The person you interview should role play their concern (rather than use a real concern). You will not be graded on the quality of your session, but rather on your analysis of it. I will provide you with a set of questions you are to answer regarding your actions in the video after you complete the session. 50 points. Learning Assessment Video Tape: This assignment is similar to the baseline video assignment in that you are to video yourself doing an interview. However, you are to do this near the end of the semester for 30-45 minutes. The assignment involves analyzing your counseling skills, the improvement you have made, and identifying areas on which to focus in the future. I will provide you with a set of questions you are to answer regarding the final video role play. 100 points. In-Class Role Plays: Involvement in in-class role plays will help you develop your counseling skills in a situation that can approximate actual counseling. You will either be provided a scenario to role play or you will be asked to create one. At no time will you be asked to role play your own issues. Role plays must be as realistic as possible and suitable for a counselor in training. Your performance will be evaluated on your level effort, of improvement, and demonstrated skill. 100 points. Homework Assignments: Periodically during the semester, I will hand out assignments that are designed to help you apply the course material in some way. Each assignment will be different and will have instructions included with it. These assignments are worth 10 points each. 50 points. Quizzes: To facilitate your motivation for reading, there will be 10 quizzes throughout the semester. Quizzes will be designed to assess whether you completed the reading and understood what you read. Each quiz will be worth 10 points. 100 points.
Grading. There will be a total of 400 points possible. Grades will be assigned as follows: 372-400 = A, 360-371 = A-, 348-359 = B+, 332-347 = B, 320-331 = B-, 308-319 = C+, 292-307 = C, 280-291 = C-, 268-279 = D+, 252-267 = D, 240-251 = D-, < 270 = F. Taking the course credit/no credit must be in accordance with university policy/deadlines. Academic Honesty Policy You are expected to do your own work and be honest on all assignments, quizzes, and even class comments. Enabling other students to cheat is also dishonest. If there is a question regarding collaboration, see me. Additional Information P lease arrive to class on time and avoid leaving early. Although you are not required to attend, you are expected to do so. Class discussion and participation are important. Consistent attendance and participation will improve your grade if you are close to the cutoff. You will be responsible for all information presented in class, such as lecture and presentation material, announcements regarding scheduling changes, etc. No quizzes may be made up or taken early, except in extenuating circumstances backed up by acceptable documentation. If you do encounter extenuating circumstances, you must contact me imme...