Theories of Counseling and Professional Orientation

EPSY 6305--3 Hours


Faculty

Terry D. Hargrave, Ph.D., Professor

Office: OM 215C

Office Phone: 651-3620   Fax: 651-2601

E-Mail: thargrave@mail.wtamu.edu


Text

Required

Fall, K.A., Holden, J.M., & Marquis, A. (2004).  Theoretical models of counseling and psychotherapy.  New York:  Brunner/Routledge. 

Course Description

This course focuses on the major theories, techniques, and theorists of the counseling field.  Students will learn about each major theory, the founder of the particular theory, the factors that contributed to the theory, and the major techniques employed by the theory.  Emphasis will be given to each student developing his or her own theory of counseling as part of personal development. 

Course Objectives

Develop a theory of personal counseling based on individual experience and understanding of major theories.

Demonstrate knowledge of how each of the major theories would address the issues of human nature, adaptation, process of change, beliefs about self, mental health, techniques, and the practice of maintaining good mental health.

Understand the process of therapy associated with each major theory.
 

Know the historical origin and the founder of each major theory.

Demonstrate expert understanding of at least two major theories of counseling. 

Course Schedule (Tentative)
 

                             Topic                                                            Chapter 

1.  Orientation, Objectives, Assignments                               1                                                                

2.  Psychoanalysis                                                                           2                                                         

3.  Adlerian Psychotherapy                                                        4                                           

4.  Existential Psychotherapy                                                    5                                            

5.  Test over Chapters 1-5                                                                                                               

6.  Person-Centered Therapy                                                      6                                           

7.  Gestalt Therapy                                                                          7                                                     

8.  Multimodal Therapy                                                                                                                        

9.  Test over Chapters 6-7                                                                                                              

10.  Behavior Therapy                                                                    9                                        

11.  Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy                               11                                         

12.  Cognitive Therapy                                                                  10                                       

13.  Reality Therapy/Choice Theory                                        8                                       

14.  Process and Integration  Papers, Final Exam                                                                  

Class Assignments

Founder Presentation
 

Each student will prepare a 10 minute presentation about one of the founders of the major theories we study.  Each presentation should contain biographical information, educational background, historical context, theory development, and theory defense.  Please note that I will present the major elements of the theory, but you will present the information concerning the founder of the theory.  Presentations will be graded on thoroughness of information, handouts, and creativity.

Journal Article Reports

Students will be expected to prepare one short report on current journal articles (last 5 years).  These reports should be approximately two pages in length and include a complete article reference, the purpose or question of the article, findings of the research, and implications of the research.  Students will give a short presentation of the report in class (about 5 minutes) and should have a copy of the complete article to hand in with the report.

Tests

Three tests will be given over  Theoretical Models.  Each will consist of approximately 40 to 50 multiple choice questions and one to two essay questions.

Integration Paper
 

Each student will be responsible for developing an integration paper expressing his or her personal theory of counseling.  The paper should include information concerning the student's personal history (What factors have influenced your beliefs?), views on human nature, how people adapt to the environment, how people change, the view of self, what makes for adaptive and maladaptive mental health, ways of maintaining good mental health, and the techniques of successful therapy.  Although I encourage you to express your own thoughts, you should use the theories we study as major resources.  Please be sure that your paper systematically approaches the subject matter and prepare your paper in APA style format.  Your paper should be at least 15 pages in length. 

Grading

EXAMS                                                                60%

FOUNDER PRESENTATION                          5%

INTEGRATION PAPER                                 20%

JOURNAL REPORT                                           5%

ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION            10%

TOTAL                                                              100%

90% or Above = “A”, 80% to 89% = “B”, 70% to 79% = “C”, 60% to 69% = “D”

Attendance

Your attendance is expected and required for this class.  If you are or will be absent for any reason, please make contact with the professor.

A Reminder

A zero tolerance for cheating has been adopted by the department of counselor education.  It is our belief that students in this program should conduct themselves in an ethical manner while preparing to become professional counselors.  If you are caught cheating, you will be dismissed from this program.

West Texas A&M University seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for all qualified persons with disabilities.  This University will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity.  It is the student's responsibility to register with Disability Support Services and to contact the faculty member in a timely fashion to arrange for suitable accommodations.