Catalog Course Search Details

 Department:    HSERV

 Course #:    203

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    5

 CIP:    511508

 EPC:    424

 REV:    2018

 Course Description  

Historical perspectives, theory and fundamentals of counseling as related to Human Services agency work. Introduction to evidenced-based and Best Practices models. Development of basic techniques and critical thinking skills appropriate for mental health, chemical dependency and rehabilitation counseling.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: HSERV 101 or instructor permission

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 55

Lab: 0

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0

Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Vocational Preparatory Required for ATA degree  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

1. Explore the qualities of an effective counselor.
2. Be familiar with several important theoretical approaches to counseling and the historical development of the counseling profession.
3. Evaluate clinical evidence supporting various therapeutic interventions with a particular focus on research based �best practices.�
4. Understand the basic components of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
5. Appreciate the need to be sensitive to a client�s culture and understand the importance of cultural and linguistic issues in the counseling process.
6. Exhibit a compassionate appreciation for the multiple problems that impact clients in our communities.
7. Review a number of major theoretical approaches to counseling.
8. Become familiar with the core conditions of effective counseling.
9. Learn the importance of strength-based approaches to counseling.
10. Learn the importance of sleep, diet, and exercise in affecting health.
11. Learn about mindfulness and meditation as a counseling strategy.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

0. Application and Integration

Definition: Applying information from one or more disciplines and/or field experiences in new contexts (Outcome 0.1); developing integrated approaches or responses to personal, academic, professional, and social issues (Outcomes 0.2-0.5).

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
0.3 Identify and evaluate the relationships among different perspectives within a field of study and among different fields of study.

2. Critical Thinking

Definition: The ability to think critically about the nature of knowledge within a discipline and about the ways in which that knowledge is constructed and validated and to be sensitive to the ways these processes often vary among disciplines.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
2.8 Describe how one’s own preconceptions, biases and values affect one’s response to new and ambiguous situations.

3. Communication

Definition: Understanding and producing effective written, spoken, visual, and non-verbal communication.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
3.2 Recognize, produce and demonstrate appropriate interpersonal, group, and public speaking skills.

4. Community & Cultural Diversity

Definition: Recognizing the value of human communities and cultures from multiple perspectives through a critical understanding of their similarities and differences.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
4.3 Understand the historically and socially constructed nature of—and the meanings attributed to—human differences.

Course Contents

1. Major theoretical approaches to counseling.
2. Core conditions of effective counseling.
3. Goal oriented helping.
4. Strength-based approaches to counseling.
5. Accurate empathy.
6. Genuineness.
7. Respect.
8. Sleep, diet, and exercise as they affect health.
9. Mindfulness and meditation as a counseling strategy.
10. Pluralistic perspective into therapeutic relationship.