MA in Professional Clinical Counseling

In this course, students will explore the history of therapeutic practices and the conceptual foundation of systems therapy. Through a critical lens, students will examine the stages of therapy and the basic skills required of therapists. In addition, they will demonstrate the acquired knowledge of applying clinical decisions to clinical situations.

This course examines ethical, legal, and professional issues governing the practice of therapy. Depending upon the student’s state of residence, ethical and legal responsibilities and liabilities will vary. Students will learn to apply ethical decision-making skills to resolving conflicts, practicing appropriate boundaries, and assuring that confidentiality is maintained. Students will learn how to apply the AAMFT Code of Ethics in the development of their clinical Identity. The course is designed to facilitate the development of ethical competencies for clinical practice including applying the AAMFT Code of Ethics, understanding legal responsibilities, and considering how therapist vulnerabilities may lead to compromises in ethical decision making.

This course is designed to provide students with an advanced understanding of current practices and methods of psychopathology and diagnosis. Students will take an evidence-based approach to understanding the etiology, diagnostic features, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment implications of clinical syndromes. Students will examine psychopathology from a biopsychosocial, theoretical, and ethnocultural perspective in addition to becoming educated on issues of ethical practice related to diagnosis and treatment of clinical syndromes.

An overview of current theoretical and clinical approaches to the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of substance abuse and other addictive disorders. Students review current research and program design from a clinical perspective with the goal of increasing clinical skills in assessing and treating addictive disorders with individuals and/or families. Students address their own internal biases when working with this population group. Students also address ethical and cultural considerations when working with this population.

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the theories, techniques, and practical applications involved in assessing, diagnosing and treatment of childhood and adolescent disorders as well as clinical needs. Students learn and apply therapeutic interventions for children and adolescents with a developmentally sensitive lens. Throughout the course, students will critically analyze various theoretical frameworks including play therapy, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, family systems, and humanistic approaches, considering their relevance and applicability to therapeutic work with young clients and their families. Further, students will learn about child abuse and mandating reporting laws.

This course will address various issues related to crisis and trauma counseling. The effect of trauma on individuals will be analyzed. Crisis theory and responses to crises, emergencies, and disasters will also be discussed. Students will learn assessment and intervention strategies, and multidisciplinary approaches to assisting clients, including those with pre-existing or co-occurring psychological disorders, during times of crisis, emergency, or disaster.