Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology

Courses

Click on the course title for the description.

• Child & Adolescent Development

  This course explores the transactions between biological, psychosocial, cultural, and environmental factors affecting human growth and development from conception through adolescence including an understanding of the development of characteristics such as resilience. The focus is on exploring and understanding the major theories of child and adolescent development with emphasis on the application of theory to real life situations and problems such as poverty, malnutrition, access to adequate education, and the child-rearing practices of various culture groups found within California.

• Child & Adolescent Psychopathology

  This course provides an understanding of the broad range of childhood and adolescent problems and disorders and explores the major psychopathologies of childhood and adolescence. Various theories for the etiologies of child and adolescent psychopathology are considered as well as a discussion of the impact that culture, socioeconomics, and family resources has on the identification and treatment of child and adolescent disorders. An emphasis is given to assessment and multi-axial diagnosis of the disorders using the current edition of the DSM. Also covered is an examination of the approaches most frequently used to treat various disorders of childhood and adolescence and the evidence supporting those approaches.

• Research Methods

  This course provides a survey of key concepts in social science research including sampling, measurement, research ethics, and design. Additional topics include the evidence base for clinical research, the evaluation of interventions, and pseudoscientific concerns in clinical research. Emphasis is placed on the review, evaluation, and application of professional literature to clinical practice in marriage and family therapy.

• Psychopathology in Adults

  The focus of this course is on the assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of personality and behavioral disorders in adulthood. Emphasis is on the assessment and multi-axial diagnosis of disorders using the current edition of the DSM. An overview of evidence-based treatment approaches for the major mental disorders is included. The course offers faculty and student dialogue on topics related to understanding disorders and integrating clinical strategies derived from a Christian perspective.

• Legal and Ethical Issues

  This course introduces students to the legal, ethical, and moral issues related to the practice of marriage and family therapy in the state of California. Professional ethical codes and moral dilemmas are studied. A review of statutory, regulatory, and decisional laws related to the MFT’s scope of practice, including confidentiality, privilege, reporting requirements, family law, and the treatment of minors is covered. The legal and ethical standards applicable to working in different types of settings, current legal trends in the mental health professions, and a review of the laws and regulations pertaining to licensure in California are also covered. Consideration is given to the student’s spiritual beliefs, values, and behaviors, especially in relationship to becoming a marriage and family therapist.

• Family Therapy: Theory and Practice I

  This course covers the foundational principles of family systems theory and practice and begins a study of the classic models of family therapy. Students will explore their family of origin and will apply various theories to their own family. A discussion of how the various theories address issues of poverty, social, and economic deprivation is provided. Also, the appropriateness of the various theories in clinical work with various marginalized populations and culture groups, particularly those found within California, is covered.

• Psychological Assessment

  This course provides students with a broad understanding of the clinical uses of psychological tests, including an introduction to the major types of instruments and the ability to understand test results. An overview of the variety of assessment and diagnostic tools used to assess for behavioral, psychological, and relationship problems is given. Emphasis is given to understanding the relationships between presenting issues and social and financial stress, education, poverty and deprivation, trauma, substance abuse, stage of life, and cultural impacts such as those associated with a variety of cultures found in California including race, ethnicity, gender, religion, and sexual orientation. Students will be presented with accepted methods of documentation and report writing.

• Contemporary Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy

  This course provides a broad overview of issues that currently affect the profession and practice of marriage and family therapy in California. Included is a presentation of the current trends in the mental health professions, including systems of care for the severely mentally ill; services, supports, and resources that are available to SMI clients and their families; client advocacy; and the management of client cases. Empowering clients to collaborate in their own treatment and focusing on recovery models and evidence-based practices are given special attention. Students will meet with consumers and/or their family members. Students will learn appropriate methods of disaster response and will be exposed to community and governmental resources for responding to natural and man-made disasters. As current issues evolve, the topics covered in the course will also evolve.

• Counseling Skills

  This course introduces students to basic skills in attending behavior, clinical interviewing, treatment planning, progress notes, clinical intervention, and collateral consultation and referral. This is an experiential course with emphasis on skills development through role plays, observing and providing feedback, and audio/videotaped clinical practice.

• Child Abuse and Family Violence

  This course provides the definition and incidence of physical and emotional abuse, neglect, and sexual molestation; the dynamics of family violence; and the resulting evidence of trauma. Offender and non-offender characteristics are reviewed. Emphasis is given to understanding cultural factors as they apply to family violence. The treatment of children, adolescents, the family, and adults abused as children is covered. The evidence for and efficacy of various treatments is examined. Ethical and legal issues, referral sources and community resources, and confidentiality is covered.

• Adult Development and Geropsychology

  This course provides a broad understanding of the unique issues faced by adults with an emphasis on older adults later in life. Developmental theory from early adulthood through aging and death is explored including aspects of social, emotional, psychological, cognitive and spiritual development and functioning. Students will be presented with an overview of the events and experiences that impact adults including culture, gender, family relationships, socioeconomic (including economic insecurity), health and long term care of older adults. Students will explore how adults cope with normal and abnormal life events such as expected and traumatic loss, changing relationships, and changing health and physical abilities. Students will also explore the techniques, and skills needed to work with adults and older adults in a therapeutic context including how to recognize and respond to elder abuse and maltreatment.

• Family Therapy: Theory and Practice II

  This course is a continuation of Family Therapy: Theory and Practice I. A comprehensive survey of the models of family therapy continues in this course with an exploration of the role of language, meaning, and process in relationships. Students will learn to think systemically across a wide range of presenting issues and will learn to conceptualize and apply interventions from multiple systemic orientations. An exploration of how the various systemic theories covered in this course apply to clinical work with a variety of marginalized populations, cultures, social and economic problems will be given. (Prerequisite: CP 5090)

• Couples Therapy and Domestic Violence

  This course examines the psychotherapeutic theories and processes for the assessment and treatment of a wide range of relational issues. Emphasis is given to the detection, assessment, and intervention strategies for family violence and trauma with particular attention given to cultural factors that are relevant to abuse of partners and family members, and the dynamics of same-gender abuse. Attention is given to understanding and working with non-traditional couples.

• Groups: Theory, Process & Practice

  This course provides a broad understanding of group development, dynamics, and therapy. Major theoretical approaches and group leadership styles are discussed. Several different approaches to conducting group therapy are reviewed and practiced. This is an experiential course where students function in the role of group members and also co-lead the group.

• Psychopharmacology

  This course introduces the common physical and medical issues that relate to the practice of marriage and family therapy. The biological and neurological bases of human behavior and use of psychotropic medications as an adjunctive therapy to psychotherapy is covered. Current information on the classes of medications and their use is covered. Consideration is given to the special needs of certain populations such as children, the elderly, substance abuse patients, patients with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders, and the severe and persistently mentally ill.

• Issues of Diversity in Counseling

  This course evaluates students’ awareness of divergent cultural values, assumptions, and family dynamics and is designed to sensitize students to the impact of culture on the counseling process. Through experiential exercises and assignments, this course examines the conceptual and theoretical foundations of cross-cultural counseling and examines the multicultural and pluralistic trends, characteristics, and concerns of diverse groups, particularly those found within California. Special attention is given to exploring how Christian beliefs and values affect one’s understanding of diverse cultural practices.

• Substance Abuse and Co-Occurring Disorders

  This course provides an introduction to substance abuse and co-occurring disorders, including a careful examination of the diagnostic criteria in the current edition of the DSM. Assessment procedures and treatment issues are discussed with emphasis given to evidence-based treatment approaches. The etiology of substance abuse and co-occurring disorders is carefully reviewed. An overview of the risk factors, prevention strategies, and the physiological and psychological effects of substance abuse on individuals, relationships, and systems, including the relationship between substance abuse and trauma, is provided. Attention is given to systemic issues and ways that various systems support or influence substance abuse and recovery. A review of the current laws regulating the treatment of substance abuse is covered. Students will be given the opportunity to meet with consumers and/or their family members.

• Child & Adolescent Therapy

  This course presents a variety of psychotherapeutic modalities, offering the student an opportunity to develop basic child and adolescent therapy skills, assessments, and treatment strategies. The impact of developmental aspects, family dynamics, the social environment, family violence, and trauma is addressed. A review of best practices and evidence-based treatments of children and adolescents is given. Legal and ethical issues in the treatment of children and adolescents are discussed.

• Human Sexuality

  This course reviews human sexuality in contemporary society from biological, psychological, social, and moral perspectives. Anatomy and physiology of human sexuality, including reproduction, normal and abnormal sexual response, psychosexual development, human fertility, and human sexual dysfunction are covered. An overview of the models of sex therapy and treatment strategies utilized in treating sexual dysfunctions is provided.

Clinical Field Training

• Practicum I: Introduction

  This is an introductory course that prepares students for the Clinical Field Training experience. During this course students will select and interview for placement at a training site. Students will be presented with all requirements for successful clinical field training.

• Practicum II

  This course is a one-semester, supervised experience in an approved clinical setting providing direct therapy services. Students also attend a weekly seminar led by a faculty member where they will present individual, marital, and family therapy cases, present and evaluate videotaped counseling sessions, and consult with faculty and clinical peers. Seminar time will also be spent preparing students for the Clinical Evaluation Project (CEP) capstone project. (Prerequisite: CP6416)

• Practicum III

  A continuation of CP 6407. Seminars will review recovery concepts. Students will apply the recovery model when conceptualizing cases and doing treatment planning, including accessing resources, promoting healthy lifestyle, and preventing illness. Seminar time will also be devoted to identifying ethical dilemmas in clinical practice and supervision and in formulating responses to dilemmas. (Prerequisite: CP6417)

• Practicum IV

  A continuation of CP 6408 Practicum III. In addition to case consultations, seminars will review the integration of awareness of multiple issues and dynamics into the development of a clinical picture and the formulation of interventions. Seminar time will be devoted to the development of prognoses utilizing information about clients’ access to resources, strengths, assessed resilience, and family and social supports. (Prerequisite: CP6418)

• Practicum V

  A continuation of CP 6409 Practicum IV. During this course students will present their Clinical Evaluation Project (CEP) to the seminar. (Prerequisite: CP6419)

• Practicum VI

  A continuation of CP6420. This course culminates the student’s clinical training practicum experience in the program. During this course students will present their Clinical Evaluation Capstone Project (CEP) to the Capstone Review Committee. (Prerequisite: CP6420)

"The night classes provided schedule flexibility, and the staff are supportive and uplifting. Attempting grad school while raising a large family is a challenge. But this experience has reinforced for me that, with God, nothing is impossible." — Jessica Baus, Class of 2015

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