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COURSE SYLLABUS: CS532 - Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy II

Course Title: CS532 - Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy II
Department: Social and Behavioral Sciences / Socail Work
Instructor: George A. Wolford, Ph.D, E-Mail -- Vita
Office Hours: Telephone conferences set by email


Office Hours

For office hours, I use MSN Messenger, my MSN name is ProfWolford
To download MSN Messenger free go to http://webmessenger.msn.com

Software Requirements NOTE: If you do not have Microsoft Office or Wordperfect or can not afford either, go to http://www.openoffice.org and download the FREE generic version that is fully compatible. Here is the URL for Adobe Acrobat Reader current Version, be sure to get the updates free http://www.adobe.com

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 United States at the intersection of two large creeks and I’m building a nostalgia hot rod. I have an Australian shepherd named Leah who is spoiled beyond redemption and two 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.

Recently, I spent a year and a half in coastal China teaching English and Psychology; it was a wonderful paid vacation that I recommend to anyone with a degree.

Warm Regards,

George
Profwolford@gmail.com

Course Description

Counseling, in some form, has been a part of human society since parents first taught their families to hunt. Information that is useful for living with greater satisfaction is always in demand and certainly today, the need for professional help is growing. Counseling is that special form of help which both removes obstructions and opens vistas of new opportunity for others. It is among the most honorable and altruistic of professions.

This course focuses on the structure and processes of counseling in a practical manner with methods backed by substantial research. Special emphasis is given to established psychological perspectives, theories and treatments. The chapter topics studied include Cognitive-Behavioral Theory and Techniques, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Depression, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Multicultural Counseling Theory, Multicultural and Diversity Issues in Counseling and Psychotherapy, Assessment and Intervention in Emergency Situations, Understanding Psychopharmacology, and Medications Used with Psychological Disorders.

In some cases, such as Psychopharmacology, Assessment, Diagnostics (psychopathology) the course is not designed to be comprehensive, rather an overview; a separate course will be required is required for comprehensive knowledge. Each of the topics covered in this course can be developed by further education.

Course Objectives

Specific outcomes expected of students enrolled in this course include the following:
  1. An understanding and application of various counseling theories and practice.
  2. The ability to see the impact of social forces and therapy on behavior.
  3. An enhanced understanding of self and others.
  4. An awareness of the relevance of counseling as a treatment method.
  5. The ability to apply diagnostic techniques and assist in the removal of obstructions.
  6. An understanding of appropriate and relevant technical vocabulary and concepts.
  7. An awareness of the scientific method and research techniques used to test the efficacy of methods.
  8. An increased awareness of one’s own ability to help others.
  9. An interest in and a desire to keep abreast of developments, problems and research findings in the field of counseling.
Required Texts  Online Bookstore

Foundations of Counseling and Psychotherapy: Evidence-Based Practices for a Diverse Society
David Sue, Western Washington State University, Bellingham, WA
Diane M. Sue, Burlington-Edison School District, Burlington, WA
ISBN-13: 9780471433026
©2008
456 pages



Attendance Policy

Regular attendance (or study and lesson completion) is essential to maximum learning and academic success. The records and registration office of Canyon College are informed of excessive delays or incomplete assignments. If you can not attend a class or keep up with your work, please notify Dr. Wolford immediately.

Zero Tolerance Plagiarism and Cheating Policy

Plagiarism and other forms of cheating may result in failure of the assignment and/or the failure of the course.

Examinations

Examinations are administered during the course according to the class schedule. A comprehensive final will be given in the 8th and final session. During the course of grading, an exam will not be dropped from the total points possible.

Special Assignment

Students are expected to complete an additional research assignment and compile the information using APA format. For APA help, ask me for a sample paper, use the APA related links below, or purchase the APA Publication Manual, 5th Edition from a place like amazon.com.

Choice #1
Use one self-selected major aspect of counseling from the first 10 chapters and write a 10 page paper synthesizing the contents. You must use at least four sources in addition to the text to receive full credit. *

Choice #2
Read 10 scholarly articles about the pros and cons of Multicultural Counseling Theory and write a 10 page paper taking a position on the subject. Students must include the sources of the articles to receive full credit. *

* The special assignment paper will be in American Psychological Association (APA) format. This is the standard format recognized for writing in the social sciences. Use one inch side margins, one and one half at the top and one inch at the bottom. Double space and use the following format for citations in your bibliography:

Mays, W. (1998) The Evaluation of Student Learning, Fobs Press, Winchester, MA

Mid-Term and Comprehensive Final Exam

Both exams will consist of one vignette based on each chapter.

Total Points

Midterm Exam 40
Final Exam 40
Special Assignment 20
Possible Score 100


Grading Scale

92 - 100 = A
82 - 91 = B
70 - 81 = C
60 - 69 = D
0 - 59 = F

Disabilities Statement

Students with special needs due to disabilities should inform the instructor prior to the second class meeting. If I do not hear from you, I will assume that you do not require special accommodations.

Weather and/or Down Server Policy

We do not generally cancel classes due to inclement weather. If weather prevents you from finishing your class work or getting online, please inform the instructor as soon as possible.

Tentative Class Schedule.

Students will read the chapters in the time frame assigned below. Please direct questions directly to your faculty at wolford@canyoncollege.edu. In most cases, you will have a reply within the day. Telephone calls must be pre-arranged by email. Calls must be initiated by the student.

Exams will be emailed to the student the day of the exam. Students may email attachments in Microsoft Word format or Open Office format.

The Midterm and Final Exam will be summaries of the chapters as they apply to your own career choice. In other words, read the chapter, digest the material, then write 250-300 words on how that reading applies to your career. Do this for each chapter. If you require extra time, please contact me by email.

Session 1
Read Chapters 11

Session 2
Read Chapters 12

Session 3
Read Chapter 13

Session 4
Read Chapter 14 - MID-TERM EXAM DUE

Session 5
Read Chapter 15

Session 6
Read Chapter 16 – SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT PAPER DUE

Session 7
Read Chapter 17

Session 8
Read Chapter 18 FINAL EXAMINATION

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 MSN account name is profwolford (search profwolford@hotmail.com) . When you log in, please tell me your name and what class you are in.

APA FORMAT REQUIRED CORRECT FORMAT IS A PART OF YOUR GRADE
For all writing assignments in this class you are required to use the American Psychological Association (APA) 5th Edition style of format and source citation. An example of this can be found at the OWL site. Below the OWL site is a link for citing e-sources.. Use the link below to resolve any questions you may have about APA format. You may also request a model APA paper from me by email. Here is a web link for additional information.

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_apa.html#General%20Format

http://www.apastyle.org/elecref.html for electronic citations.

Plagiarism:

Main Entry: pla•gia•rize
Function: verb
Etymology: plagiary
transitive senses : to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own : use (another's production) without crediting the source

intransitive senses : to commit literary theft : present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source

Do not plagiarize ! I use an Internet service to scan all papers. If I find a plagiarized paper, you will receive an F for that paper. A second offense results summary expulsion from the class with an F.

Have fun, this is a great course!