Theories
of Counseling
CSD
5520
Instructor: Steven R. Conn, Ph.D. Office:
2112 Buzzard Hall
Phone: 581-7242 E-mail: cfsrc@eiu.edu
Office
Hours: TBA
Course
Description: This course provides a survey of major theories of
counseling.
Areas covered include history of
each theory, theory of personality development, theory of counseling
application, research, and use with diverse groups. Prerequisite: None.
Text:
Sharf,
R. S. (1999). Theories of Psychotherapy and Counseling: Concepts and Cases, 2nd
Ed.
Course
Objectives:
Students will:
a. Develop an understanding of the
historical development of counseling theories.
b. Survey theories of counseling including
the theoretical process of each theory.
c. Apply knowledge of the development of
personality relevant to each theory.
d. Apply knowledge of legal and ethical
issues related to each theory.
e. Analyze the application of each theory
to a diverse population: social class, race, gender, lifestyles, education, and
ethnicity.
f.
Apply theoretical material to case studies.
Method
of Teaching: The
learning models that will be used in this course will be an
information-processing approach.
Instructional techniques will include dialogue with class members,
discussion of assigned readings, individual activities, and cooperative
learning. Attendance is expected, and
class discussion and participation will be considered essential.
Notice
to Students with disabilities: If you have a documented disability and wish
to receive academic accommodations, please contact the Coordinator of the
Office of Disability Services (581-6583) as soon as possible.
Course Activities
1.
Quizzes.
Quizzes will be given
covering each of the eight theories presented in this course. Your grade for this course will be based on
the best 6 of 8 quiz scores. You may
take any number of quizzes greater than 6 if you choose. Your 6 highest scores will be counted for
your grade. Quizzes will consist of
True-False and Multiple Choice items.
Quizzes
will be administered on three
occasions during the semester. See the Schedule for exact dates. Each quiz will cover only one theory (i.e.,
separate quizzes will be offered for each theory).
2.
Mock Staffing.
For the purpose of the mock staffing, students
will be assigned to a group of 5 or 6 students each. Each group will be presented with a client's
case and the group will discuss the client's needs both with respect to
assessment and treatment planning. The
goal of the group is to come up with questions to ask the client,
interpretations gleaned from the assessment information, and possible treatment
goals and interventions.
As a member of a group, you will be
assigned two theories from which you will base your input for your client's
case. You will be responsible for
applying what you have learned about the theory of personality and theory of
counseling relevant to each theory assigned to you. I suggest that you pay attention to the
"Psychological Disorders" section of the chapter covering your two
assigned theories to help you develop questions and interpretations.
For this project, you will be graded
on your level of participation in the staffing.
Your input to the discussion should be in response to the following
criteria:
1. comments relating the theory to
facts of the case (e.g., personality theory).
2. comments detailing hypotheses
about the client's behavior or personality -- hypotheses are often in the form
a prediction about the client.
3. comments reflecting insights
into the client's interpersonal relationships (e.g., how the client’s
relationship with others might be affecting present behaviors).
4. comments reflecting insights
into the relationship between the client and the counselor (e.g., how the
counselor might interact with the client.
5. comments addressing treatment
possibilities (i.e., treatment goals and/or techniques).
6. comments identifying limitations
of the theory applied to the case (e.g., client attributes that might hinder
counseling).
Grading
Your
grade for this course will be based on an accumulation of points you make on the
course activities described above. Your
final grade will be based on the importance of the following:
1. Quizzes 120
points (20
points per quiz)
2. Mock Staffing
15 points
Grade assignments will be made
according to the following point totals:
A: 121 - 135
B: 108 - 120
C: 94 - 109
D: Below 94