University of New Mexico

Counseling 517

Theories of Counseling

Spring 2005: 3 Credit Hours

Assistant Professor

David Olguin, Ph.D., LPC

Office: Simpson Hall 119 Class Times: Tuesdays 4:00-6:30 pm

Phone: 277-5324 Class Location: Education 201

Fax: 277-8361 Office Hours: Mondays 2:00-3:45

Email: dolguin1@unm.edu Tuesdays 2:00-3:45

Or by appointment

Teaching Assistant

Helen Tafoya, MA, LPCC Office Hours: Tuesdays 6:30-7:30

Email: htafoya@unm.edu

Office: 925-2434

Course Description:

Students will examine and analyze the major counseling and psychotherapy theories and their application. Students will also consider philosophical bases, multicultural concerns, and ethical implications. Treatment strategies and goals of each theory will also be explored. Prerequisites: COUNS 520, 530, accepted in the counseling program or permission of the instructor.

Course Introduction:

This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the major theories of counseling, including basic philosophies, views of growth and change, goals of counseling, nature of relationships, techniques, and applications to practice. This class will challenge the continued growth of students’ professional identity formation as counselors.

Course Design:

This course will be taught as a graduate school seminar; meaning that ALL STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE to read assigned chapters before the scheduled class, and to initiate and engage in dialogue with peers and the professor. The professor will also serve as the facilitator. Lecture and discussions (small and large), supplementary readings, and videotaped demonstrations of theories in application with clients will be used throughout the semester to introduce and illustrate the various theoretical approaches. Students will also engage/participate in live role-plays for the purposes of demonstrating particular theories of discussion for the week.

Course Goals and Objectives:

Each student will:

1. Explore perceptions to personal experiences (values, beliefs, and biases) of the past, present, and future.
2. Understand different theories and their applications.
3. Describe the overall philosophy and features of theories presented and apply these theories within the context of counseling practices.
4. Understand the strengths and limitations of theories.
5. Nurture a professional theoretical perspective by articulating your philosophy of counseling.
6. Give and receive feedback.
7. Examine and increase ethical, legal, and multicultural concerns and awareness.
8. Develop a conference proposal to present at a professional organizational conference.

How Learning Will Take Place:

You will be exposed to a variety of learning modalities including:

1. Lecture
2. Small group discussion
3. Large group discussion
4. Power point presentations
5. Reading assignments
6. Writing assignments
7. Participation in group experiences
8. Feedback exchange
9. Student Research

Expectations of Professionalism:

Student Rights and Responsibilities:

1. To ask for clarification at any time.
2. Secure, activate and frequently check your UNM email address.
3. Read the “Rights and Responsibilities at The University of New Mexico” (UNM Student Handbook).
4. Comply with the “Policy on Academic Dishonesty (Student Handbook).
5. Write questions (and give to me) if you feel uncomfortable speaking in large groups.
6. Attend class on time; i.e., late arrivals disrupt the learning environment.
7. Have access to all required textbooks.
8. Know and adhere to the code of ethics and standards outlined by the American Counseling Association (ACA); http://www.counseling.org/resources/ethics.htm#ce.
9. Turn-off cell phones or change setting to vibrate. If expecting a call, then notify me before class.
10. Maintain confidentiality (Information that is disclosed and discussed in class stays class).
11. Be courteous and treat all persons in the classroom with respect; different opinions will be shared/expressed to the extent that not everyone will be in agreement (cultural differences).
12. Monitor the congregation of small group allies outside of class time, gossip in educational environments can be detrimental and disrupt learning process.
13. Students have the right to express their opinions in a respectful manner.
14. Confrontations will be presented professionally; remember that counselors are advocates for conflict resolution (Feedback stem: What worked for me was…What didn’t work for me was…).
15. Late work will be penalized by one lower letter grade.
16. Staple assignments if longer than one page (no paper clips or manual bending of corners).
17. Students with documented physical or mental limitations must contact Student Support Services and the instructor at the beginning of the semester.

Students with Disabilities:

It is the policy of UNM to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal law, state law, and the University’s commitment to equal educational opportunities. Any student with a disability who needs accommodations (for example, seating placement, arrangements for examinations, or in class activities) should inform the professor at the beginning of the course. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact Student Support Services; they are located in room 2021 Mesa Vista Hall, and their telephone number is 277-3506.

Course Requirements:

Class Attendance and Participation: 10% (10 points)

Introductory paper 10% (10 points)

Professional Development Paper: 15% (15 points)

Philosophy Paper: 20% (20 points)

Conference Presentation Paper: 15% (15 points)

Challenge Exams: 10% (10 points)

Final Exam: 20% (20 points)

• NO incomplete grades will be given except under extraordinary circumstances.
• ALL PAPERS MUST FOLLOW APA STYLE

Class Attendance and Participation (10%):

Class attendance and participation are EXPECTED because they are crucial elements in graduate school counseling programs. Students are expected to attend every class on time, have completed the assigned readings, and be prepared to discuss what was read. All of us will take responsibility for our learning community.

Introductory Paper (10%):

Briefly tell your life’s story from your earliest years in light of your decision to seek a career in counseling. How is that story, found first in your family of origin, related to your choosing counseling as a career? Discuss the personal needs and motivations that have led you to seek a career in counseling. How might these needs help or hinder you as you attempt to provide effective help to others? Examine counseling areas of special interest. Your paper should follow APA style, be concise, well organized, grammatically correct and no more than four (4) pages. This assignment is due February 1, 2005.

Professional Development Paper (15%):

There are three (3) parts to this assignment. First, you will visit a mental health facility such as a hospital, a private office, a school, or a college counseling center, etc. and submit a report describing the organization, its policies, roles and functions in the community, as well as its available services.

Second, you will interview one counselor (not a social worker, psychiatrist, or psychologist), preferably a licensed professional clinical mental health counselor (LPCC) or a licensed professional mental health counselor (LPC). If a LPCC or LPC counselor is not available, any counselor with a minimum of a master’s degree is acceptable. If there are no counselors available at your chosen site, then choose another site. The interview should focus on the counselor’s roles and functions in the organization, his/her philosophy of counseling and academic training, work experiences, contributions, and recommendations he/she has for you as a counselor-in-training. It is known that majority of graduate students work and have families, in addition to attending school, so, telephone and email interviews can be conducted in place of face-to-face interviews.

Third, you will reflect on and describe the learning experience you have gained as a result of this assignment. This assignment is due February 22, 2005. There is no page-limit since interviews vary in length.

Philosophy Paper (20%):

This paper is to report you personal philosophy or beliefs about the nature of the universe, human beings, and counseling. Your responses to the questions should be clear, specific, and brief. You do not need to attempt to defend your beliefs. As a whole, your paper should be inherently consistent (check to ensure you have not contradicted yourself) and express a coherent personal philosophy. You must follow APA style (5^th ed.) and produce a personal philosophy that is 6-10 pages in length. This assignment is due March 29, 2005.

A. Reality

What is reality (e.g., do you believe reality is that which is scientifically discovered and verified, or do you believe that reality does not exist apart from individual humans who create it?)? How do you/people know reality? Does reality remain constant or does it change? Are there some things that exist that can never be known? If so, what are they? In working with clients, do you think it is important to focus on reality as it exists or as the client perceives it?

B. Human Nature

What does it mean to be human? What is the relationship of humans to their environment, such as your family of origin or earliest caregiver(s)? What are goals, purposes, drives, and needs that all humans share? What are the basic tasks of life? To what extent are humans free and responsible for their condition versus determined or influenced by their environment and past experiences? Are humans primarily thinking, feeling, or action oriented?

C. Human growth, development, learning, and motivation

How do people learn, grow, and change? What motivates people to change? Are needs or goals more important motivators? How do you account for “normal” personality development? How would you describe the ideal person? How do you account for the development of “disordered,” unhealthy, or maladjusted behaviors?

D. Counseling

Counseling may be regarded as a learning process based on an interpersonal relationship between counselor and client. How does counseling help people learn, grow and develop, or change? How do you conceptualize goals or desired outcomes of counseling? Who should set the goals in counseling? Should counseling primarily focus on feelings, thoughts, or actions? Should counseling also primarily focus on the client’s past experiences, current concerns, or future goals? To what extent is the counseling relationship the key to therapy verse being a means to an end? How important is the client’s internal satisfaction with self vs. adaptation or adjustment to society?

Conference Presentation Paper (15%):

The goal of this assignment is to give you an opportunity to work in small, consultation groups and to give you experience writing a conference proposal. Proposals are due May 3, 2005. The proposal is assigned with the hopes that you submit it to a conference when the call for proposals is posted. I encourage you to present the proposal at New Mexico Counseling Association (NMCA), American Counseling Association (ACA), Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (AMFT), Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), Rocky Mountain Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (RMACES), etc. The proposal must include the following headers:

Title: Ethical and Multicultural Considerations of Countertransference with Adolescents in Middle

School Settings.

Content description and Rationale for proposal: include relevant literature in 200 words or less and state whether your proposal is a poster presentation or a 1-hour content session. Title should be reflected in the content description.

Targeted Population: Children, Adolescents, Adults, Families, Couples, Rehabilitation, etc.

Setting: schools, school-based, agencies, private practice, etc.

Objectives: Attendees will gain ethical and multicultural awareness, etc.

Presentation style: Interactive, experiential, case studies/scenarios, small group work, etc.

What will attendees learn? They will learn how theory, ethics and culture impact each other, etc.

Review of Literature: Provide a four paragraph review of relevant literature (literature should be within a few years of 2005 and not older than 10-years).

• In small groups of two (plus) students, choose a technique(s) or concept(s) from one theory and one targeted population. You must discuss the ethical and multicultural concerns regarding the targeted population in relation to the theoretical concept(s) or technique(s).
• You are encouraged to be creative. To help express your argument, creatively bring your chosen technique(s) or concept(s) to life through a clinical demonstration.
• Proposals will be evaluated based on organization and coherency, creativity, identification of relevant ideas and themes, and the infusion of multicultural and ethical considerations into the chosen theory.

When presenting on a theory, consider and include:

1. Background: Main tenets, major or key theorists, and the socio-historical context of your theory.
2. View of psychological problems: Primary cause or causes of psychological distress and what needs to happen for healing to occur.
3. Critique and Multicultural Implications: Overall assessment of advantages and disadvantages of the theoretical concept(s) or technique(s). What multicultural implications exist?
4. Application: Usefulness of specific technique(s)/skills or concept(s). What are and how do you implement the specific concept(s) or technique(s) to the targeted population?

Challenge Quizzes (10%):

There will be a total of five (5) challenge quizzes throughout the semester. Notice of challenge quizzes will not be given.

Exam (20%):

A comprehensive final exam will be administered a minimum of two (2) weeks prior to the conclusion of the semester. The final will include all of the theories discussed in class (listed on the syllabi; with the exception of Buddhist and Play Therapy); and, it will prepare you for the master’s comps and the National Counselor Exam (NCE). The final exam is due in my office (if not there, then leave it with the receptionist) on or before May 9, 2005 no later than 4:30 pm.

Grading: 97-100- A+ 94-96- A 90-93- A-

87-89- B+ 84-86- B 80-83- B-

77-79- C+ 74-76- C 70-73- C-

69-Below- D-F

Required Textbook:

Corey, G. (2005). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (7^th ed.). Brooks/Cole.

Supplemental Testbook:

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5^th ed.). (2001). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE

COURSE MEETING	CONTENT COVERED	DUE DATE
1-18-05	Introductions and Development of Counselors	Corey 1-2
1-25-05	Ethical and Multicultural issues to counseling Helen Tafoya	Corey 3 Ethical Decision-Making
2-1-05	Psychoanalytic Therapy	Corey 4 Introductory Paper
2-8-05	Adlerian Theory	Corey 5
2-15-05	Existential	Corey 6
2-22-05	Person –Centered Therapy Helen Tafoya	Corey 7 Professional Development Paper
3-1-05	Gestalt Therapy	Corey 8
3-8-05	Behavioral and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Helen Tafoya	Corey 9-10
3-15-05	SPRING BREAK	SPRING BREAK
3-22-05	Reality Therapy Helen Tafoya	Corey 11
3-29-05	Postmodern Therapies	Corey 13 Philosophy Paper
4-5-05 ACA Con.	Feminist Therapies Helen Tafoya	Corey 12
4-12-05	Family Systems	Corey 14
4-19-05	Integrative Therapy Corey Video Presentation	Corey 15
4-26-05	Buddhist Psychology and Therapy Helen Tafoya
5-3-05	Play Therapy	Conference Proposal
5-9-05	Finals Week	Final Exam