Courses

Examination of the effects of therapeutic interventions on culturally distinct populations. (3 units; Spring and Online)

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. Additional practice seminar fee (Traditional Grad only). Pass/Fail. (3 units; Fall and Online)

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. Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: PSY501. (3 units; Spring and Online)

The student is introduced to the theoretical foundations of Family Systems Theory, Behaviorism, Humanism, Existentialism, and Psychoanalytic Theory. (3 units; Fall and Online)

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. (3 units; Fall/Spring and Online)

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. (3 units; Fall and Online)

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. (3 units; Summer and Online)

Application of group treatment models to various forms of interpersonal communication. (3 units; Spring and Online)

Theoretical and practical applications of research methods of psychotherapy. Prerequisite: BEH 383 Statistical Techniques in Behavioral Science or equivalent. (3 units; Spring and Online)

Supervised counseling experience in a professional setting. A required course either for students who begin counseling prior to the PSY 555 Practicum I course OR needed to continue in practicum after completing PSY 570 Practicum II. May be repeated one (1) time for a maximum of two (2) units. Pass/Fail. Prerequisites: PSY 501S, 502S, 505, 560, and either 511 or 525. (1 unit; Summer and Online)

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. (3 units; Fall/Spring and Online)

Applications of Intelligence Testing and Personality tests to diagnosis and therapy. Prerequisite: PSY 383 (Statistical Techniques in Behavioral Science) or equivalent. (3 units; Fall and Online)

Processes of diagnosis, dynamics, and treatment of children and adolescents. (3 units; Fall and Online)

Supervised counseling experience in professional settings. Additional testing fee. Prerequisites: PSY 501s, 502s, 505, 560, and either 511 or 525. Pass/Fail. (3 units; Fall and Online)

An examination and explanation of current laws and ethical issues affecting psychotherapists. (3 units; Fall and Online)

A continuation of PSY 555. Prerequisite: PSY 555. Pass/Fail. (3 units; Spring and Online)

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.(3 units; Fall and Online)

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. Prerequisite: PSY 580. (3 units; Spring and Online)

Faculty and student dialogue on issues and topics related to the integration of Christianity and psychology. (2 units; Summer and Online)

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. Pass/Fail. (3 units; Summer and Online)

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. Pass/Fail. (3 units; Fall, Spring, Summer, and Online)

This seminar addresses mental health issues in aging populations. Pass/Fail. (2 units; Fall, Spring, and Online)

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. Pre- or Co- requisite: PSY535. (3 units; Fall and Online)

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. (3 units; Spring and Online)