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Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS: Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

Course Title:	CS490 - Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling
Department:	Social and Behavioral Sciences / Social Work
Instructor:	Professor George Wolford, Ph.D. E-Mail -- Vita

TEXTBOOK:   Online Bookstore

Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (with Web Site, Chapter Quiz Booklet, and InfoTrac) 7th Edition, by Gerald Corey - California State University, Fullerton, California. Wadsworth (Thomson), 2004/2005. ISBN-13: 9780534536053 ISBN: 0534536050 576 pages Case Bound 7 3/8 X 9 1/4

INSTRUCTOR BIO:

I salute you all as fellow students in this journey. My role as facilitator casts me as an open-minded learner as well as it does you. I have had some wonderful teachers, both formal and informal, and the finest of them have inspired me to continue to pass along best practices.

Let me offer you an overview of my background and some of my adventures that will be relevant to this class.

I am known as a candid speaker and teacher. Selected invitational presentations include groups as diverse as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, American Psychological Associations Annual Conference, Arkansas Prevention Institute, The Society for Community Action and Research, University of Arkansas Mid-South Summer School, and at the University of Hawaii (the last via satellite TV).

I have taught for 5 universities, one traditional, three online and one off shore. Additionally, I am the president of an online university that focuses on bringing state of the art American best practices to developing nations.

Some previous experience includes practicing psychology in a clinical setting as a resident, developing real estate in California and teaching widely. In the past 15 years, I founded and was Executive Director of three organizations: the San Diego Men's Center, Stability Training and Recovery (alcohol treatment facility), and Wolford Research Group, all in San Diego, California. I served on the Board of Directors of the Maui County Chapter of the National Mental Health Association, founded the Maui County Chapter of the National Counsel on Self-Esteem, and served as Regional Coordinator for the National Psychology Advisory Association for five years, authored two screening instruments for neurological damage in both children and adults and conducted innovative research in Community Based Asset Planning Groups, empowerment and community building. Currently we are developing multi-lingual, multi-point video conferencing formats to deliver education to developing nations.

All of that said, I live in a very rural part of the Missouri Ozark Mountain region at the intersection of two large creeks, refurbish museum vehicles and build nostalgia hot rods. My wife Sharon teaches English at a local high school and our only child, Jenny, is happily married, and is also an English teacher. We have an Australian shepherd named Leah who is spoiled beyond redemption and five cats. I love music and love to sing. My newest passion for learning is Nanotechnology; for a peek take a look at http://www.smalltimes.com or http://www.foresight.org

Warm Regards,

George

PERSONAL NOTE:

Welcome to CS 490! I hope that you enjoy this course. The text was carefully chosen and is full of interesting information. Even though the course requirements do not include all chapters in the book, reading the entire book will enrich your learning experience.

You may be working while you go to school. I earned my master's degree while working full time and working internship hours. It was a lot of work, but I've definitely benefited. So, pat yourself on the back for making the decision to go after your degree and stick to it! It's the things that you work for that have the most value.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course introduces the student to the field of counseling and psychotherapy. Basic concepts of psychology are presented with an overview of schools of thought. Multicultural therapy, building and maintaining a counseling relationship, marriage and family, group counseling, and substance abuse are also covered. Issues of ethics and liability are discussed. This course gives the student an overview of psychotherapy and counseling, which should assist the student in understanding basics and in beginning to formulate an idea of which direction may be most appealing.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS:

1. This is an eight week course. Students may work at their own pace. If you need special accommodation of any kind, please let me know by email right away.
2. Students will be required to email assignments listed in the syllabus in a Microsoft Word format. No other format is acceptable.
3. The school trusts that each student will maintain high standards of honesty and ethical behavior. All assignments submitted in fulfillment of course requirements must be the student's own work. Plagiarism or duplication of another's work will receive a grade of zero and may result in further action by Canyon College.
   Your paper must follow APA format. If you have questions about that see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_apa.html#General%20Format
4. Students are expected to use correct spelling, proper grammar. Written assignments will be evaluated on the basis of clearly presented content and organization (60%), critical thinking skills (20%), spelling and grammar (10%), and format and style which includes an abstract, proper citations and a bibliography (10%).

ASSIGNMENTS:
Read beginning with the Introduction in each chapter through the Summary.

Week one reading Chapters 1 & 2

Week two reading Chapters 3 & 4

Week three reading Chapter 5 & 6

Week four reading Chapters 7 & 8

SELF PACED MIDTERM ESSAY EXAM
When you are ready for your Midterm exam, let me know by email: wolford@canyoncollege.edu

Week five reading Chapters 9 & 10

Week six reading Chapters 11 & 12

Week seven reading Chapters 13 & 14

Week eight
SELF PACED FINAL ESSAY EXAM
When you are ready for your Final exam, let me know by email: wolford@canyoncollege.edu

In addition to your midterm and final, you will write a paper:

Choose a theory of treatment from the text and illustrate how you will apply that theory in practice with the patient population you intend to serve. Give your reactions to the up and down sides of the theory. Use good critical thinking skills. Explain your cognitive and affective response to the theory. Feel free to express yourself. The paper size should be 5-7 pages not including the cover or bibliography and in APA format. For more information on APA format please see: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_apa.html#General%20Format The paper is due by the time you take the final exam. Email it to your instructor: wolford@canyoncollege.edu

GRADING:

For each letter grade, a "+" or a "-" may be attached with the associated increase or decrease in points as follows:

Percentages	Letter Grade
90-100	A
80-89	B
70-79	C
60-69	D
<60	F

Please be professional and on time. I am usually available by email seven days a week if you need help. Please don't hesitate to ask. My AIM account name is GeoWolford. When you log in, please tell me your name and what class you are in.