Courses

Examination of the effects of therapeutic interventions on culturally distinct populations.

Designed for the beginning student, this is the first of a two-course sequence that serves as an introduction to the counseling profession. The focus of this course is the development of foundational knowledge of the history, scope, and the critical issues that relate to the counseling profession at large. The course emphasizes the development of basic therapeutic skills, empathy training, and the structure of the therapeutic process through a lecture/discussion/small group format. As part of the course, students will participate in a part one of a two-part professional development review that contributes to clearance to begin practicum training. Please review MSCP student handbook for detail.

This course is the second in a two-course sequence that serves as an introduction to the counseling profession and is a continuation of PSY 501 Professional Practice I: Basic Skills. The focus of this course is on building upon the basic therapeutic skills introduced in PSY 501 through a continued lecture/discussion/small group format. Students are introduced to several foundational theoretical orientations and emphasis is placed on various clinical, legal, and ethical issues related to the practice of psychotherapy. This includes 6 hours of suicide risk assessment, prevention, treatment, and intervention, as well as 3 hours of training in the law, ethics, and clinical considerations related to the provision of mental health services via telehealth. As part of the course, students will participate in part two of a two-part professional development review which contributes to clearance to begin practicum training. Please review MSCP student handbook for detail.

The student is introduced to the theoretical foundations of Family Systems Theory, Behaviorism, Humanism, Existentialism, and Psychoanalytic Theory.

A study of the developmental cycle of the human organism from a cognitive, psychological, sociological, and moral perspective. Emphasis is placed on theories and research related to child development.

This course will address the principles and techniques of effective therapy with couples. Various couples treatment models will be described with a focus on applicability to different client needs in a variety of settings. Intimate partner violence detection, prevention, and treatment will be integrated into the treatment of couples.

Human sexuality focuses on the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunction with an overview of physiology. It further examines the clinical, social and ethical issues in counseling persons with AIDS-related problems.

Application of group treatment models to various forms of interpersonal communication.

Theoretical and practical applications of research methods of psychotherapy.

Supervised counseling experience in a professional setting. A required course either for students who begin counseling prior to PSY 555 - Practicum I OR needed to continue in practicum after completing PSY 570 - Practicum II.

Nature and causes of reactions to social, biological and psychological stress, maladaptive development, and faulty learning. Includes an in-depth study of anxiety disorders, character personality, and the psychoses.

Applications of Intelligence Testing and Personality testing to diagnosis and treatment.

Processes of diagnosis, dynamics, and treatment of children and adolescents.

Supervised counseling experience in professional settings.

An examination and explanation of current laws and ethical issues affecting psychotherapists.

A continuation of PSY 555 - Practicum I.

An examination of the philosophical and theoretical suppositions of the major schools of family therapy. Emphasis on the historical and contemporary context of systems theory and family therapy.

Concentration on the therapeutic techniques of the various schools of family therapy discussed in Family Therapy I. Students are encouraged to develop specific family therapy skills through the use of videotape feedback, coaching, and classroom demonstration.

Faculty and student dialogue on issues and topics related to the integration of Christianity and psychology.

This course is designed for the non-medical psychotherapist. The major categories of medication used in psychiatric intervention and issues related to consultation and collaboration with treatment teams, including medical staff, will be discussed.

This course provides the student with an overview of the addictive process, including substance dependency and behavioral compulsions. The course emphasizes the etiology of addiction, the systemic impact of co-occurring disorders, the standard of care treatment modalities, and concepts of resiliency and recovery.

This seminar addresses mental health issues in aging populations.

This course introduces the student to the contemporary context of community mental health settings. Course content emphasizes recovery-oriented treatment for severe mental illness, disaster and trauma response, services for victims of abuse, the homeless, foster care services, case management, client advocacy, in-home and in-school services, bilingual client services, professional collaboration and medical family therapy. This is an elective course for which students wishing to pursue licensure as a Professional Clinical Counselor in the State of California should register.

This course is designed to meet the professional training criteria of students within the field of Counseling Psychology and other helping professions to gain competency in the basic tenets of career counseling. This is an elective course for which students wishing to pursue licensure as a Professional Clinical Counselor in the State of California should register.