Course Descriptions

Community Counseling

MCC 8010
Child and Adolescent Counseling
3 credits

This course teaches students the basic principles of assessment, conceptualization, and intervention with children and adolescents. A variety of developmental and multi-systemic treatment modalities will be covered including play therapy, family therapy, family and school consultation, strength-based approaches, motivational counseling, reality therapy, and the use of expressive and metaphorical techniques with an emphasis on counseling youth in community based or hospital settings. Ethical issues and issues related to cultural and generational diversity will be discussed.

MCC 8020
Addictions Counseling
3 credits

This course introduces students to the basic principles of chemical dependency and ''process addictions'', including the issues associated with gambling and sexual addictions counseling. Various biological, pharmacological, psychological, familial, social, cultural and spiritual dimensions of addictions will be examined. Relevant theories and research in the treatment of addictions will be discussed in conjunction with basic individual, group, and family counseling interventions. An emphasis will be placed on the ''Motivational Interviewing'' model.

MCC 8040
Crisis Intervention Counseling Strategies and Skills
3 credits

This course presents theories, strategies, and skills related to the provision of crisis intervention services for a variety of situations and populations. Models for assessing and responding to crises are discussed. Specific crisis intervention skills are taught and practiced.

MCC 8050
Ethical Decision-Making
3 credits

This course expands on the counselors’ basic knowledge of ethics to include a deeper understanding of the legal and moral issues involved in professional practice. The class will engage in rigorous discussion and debate of a number of complex and ''real-life'' situations with an emphasis on developing and honing ethical decision-making skills. Specific ethical issues related to gender, sexual, racial, cultural and generational diversity will be discussed in detail.

MCC 8060
Advanced Counseling and Psychotherapy
3 credits

This course is designed for the counselors and psychotherapists who have at least two years of professional experience. It goes beyond basic counseling theory and practice to consider psychotherapeutic process in depth. Specific interventions will be taught, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and transtheoretical models. Relevant research on integrative psychotherapy and alternative/experimental treatments will be considered.

MCC 8070
Marriage and Relationship Counseling
3 credits

This course covers marital and intimate relationships from a developmental perspective, including normal and dysfunctional relational styles and cycles, and family of origin issues. Problem resolution, communications skills training, promotion of couples’ growth as well as treatment of relationship dysfunction will be explored in detail. Gender, sexual orientation and ethnic issues will be examined.

MCC 8080
Advanced Family Counseling
3 credits

This course focuses on the skills and knowledge necessary for the successful practice of family counseling and therapy. Interventions specific to various models, including strategic family therapy and contextual family therapy will be taught, and special populations such as single parent and multigenerational families, as well as same-sex relationships will be considered.