Counseling Psychology Course Descriptions

CP 5200  Introduction to Counseling: Client-Centered and Crisis Intervention Techniques (3 units)

Study of client-centered and crisis intervention theory; skill practice in client-centered and crisis counseling techniques applied to children, adolescents, adults, seniors, couples and families; the study of styles of verbal and nonverbal human communication, human diversity, information processing theory, and an introduction to the field of counseling and selected counseling approaches.

CP 5203  Advanced Counseling Techniques: Behavioral and Cognitive Behavioral (3 units)

Theory and skill practice in brief and long-term respondent, operant, modeling, cognitive and dialectic behavioral therapy and consultation techniques with children, adolescents, adults, seniors, couples and families. Students study theory and develop a case study including assessment, and "problem" identification, behavioral analysis, treatment goals, application of behavioral counseling techniques, and identification of professional and ethical issues related to the utilization of such techniques.

CP 5204  Advanced Counseling Techniques: Groups (3 units)

Theoretical and practical approaches to working with groups. Topics include: setting goals and objectives, group observation and assessment skills, leadership styles, process techniques, developmental stages, human diversity and termination.

CP 5205  Advanced Counseling Techniques: Assessment and Treatment of Children (3 units)

The study of child and adolescent development, family systems, and psychodynamic theory. Assessment includes observation, parent report, family history, and interactive play. Students learn to develop treatment goals, including collaboration with parents and other professionals. The decision-making process regarding optimal modalities, strategies, and the range of treatment options are explored. Specific stressors and situations that are particularly difficult for children and their families will be highlighted. Selected topic areas addressed include the impact of divorce, grief and loss, disabilities, chronic illness, sexual abuse, and human diversity.

CP 5207  Advanced Counseling Techniques: Psychodynamic (3 units)

Recent developments in psychodynamic theory and technique, including object relations, self-psychology, control-mastery, intersubjective and relational theories. Students develop the ability to think psychodynamically, work with transference and understand countertransference, and to utilize relevant, supportive, shorter and long-term techniques with adolescents, adults and seniors by integrating theory, self-understanding and case examples from clinical practice.

CP 5208  Advanced Counseling Techniques: Brief and Strategic Therapies (3 units)

Presentation and practice of brief and strategic psychotherapy models for use within a managed care organization, community, or clinical settings, applied to individuals, couples, families, groups, and HMOs. Models include Solution-Focused, Narrative, and I.D.E. approaches.

CP 5214  Domestic Violence: Assessment, Reporting and Treatment (1 unit)

The study of spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies, including knowledge of community resources, cultural and human diversity factors, and same gender abuse dynamics. Specific interventions and assessment strategies will be presented.

CP 5215  Child Abuse: Assessment, Reporting and Treatment (1 unit)

Identification, assessment, reporting and initial treatment of physical, emotional, sexual abuse and neglect. Course also includes:  guidelines for interviewing children; initial response and ongoing treatment for children, adolescents, and adult survivors of abuse; speaker from Marin County CPS.  Course meets BBS requirement for training in child abuse and neglect issues for marriage and family therapists.

CP 5216  Alcohol and Substance Abuse (2 units)

Theoretical and clinical approaches to the treatment of drug and alcohol problems including: detection and diagnosis, coordinating treatment with health and social services, early intervention with the client and family, residential and outpatient programs, motivational interviewing, A.A., and family issues.

CP 5217  Professional Ethics and Law (2 units)

Review and analysis of statutory and regulatory law relating to the practice of psychotherapy. Includes the psychotherapist-patient privilege of confidentiality, the exceptions to confidentiality including the duty to report; family law and child therapy. Assessment, detection, and intervention of dangerousness and suicidal risk. A variety of ethical issues and ethical dilemmas are examined by using hypothetical situations, the study of contemporary professional ethics and recent court cases.

CP 5218  Geriatrics and Long-term Care (1 unit)

This course will cover counseling issues relevant to meeting the needs of a diverse, pluralistic, and increasingly aging society including: psychological, social, and interpersonal transitions and challenges of aging; biopsychosocial assessment of dysfunctions and psychopathology in the elderly; therapeutic issues for older adults; treatment modalities and interventions for older adult clients and community prevention/intervention programs (Adult Protective Services). Course meets BBS requirement for aging and long-term care.

CP 5219  Human Diversity  (2 units)

Exploration of issues of human diversity as they relate to ethnic, social and developmental and cultural mores and values of several representative groups in our society. Focus on the implications of human diversity issues on therapeutic and interpersonal relationships, as well as the utilization of appropriate resources.

CP 5221  Psychological Assessment (3 units)

Study of psychometric concepts and theories of assessment, relationships of assessment, treatment planning, and outcome evaluation, professional and ethical standards and various projective and objective instruments. Included are the WAIS-R, the MMPI-II, Dissociative Experiences Scale, RATC, Beck Depression Inventory, Rorschach, TAT and various other tests. Interviewing techniques will include: Mental Status Exam, child and family evaluation, and suicidal and homicidal evaluation.

CP 5222  Research in Human Systems and Treatment Outcome (2 units)

Understanding philosophical, epistemological as well as methodological components necessary to conduct research and study of treatment outcomes and process research such as ethical issues, subject selection, types of appropriate research design, and data analysis. Students evaluate research articles and formulate a research proposal in an area of their interest in counseling.

CP 5224  Psychopharmacology (3 units)

Study of the range of current psychopharmacological interventions in terms of mental disorder diagnostic categories, including anti-depressants, anti-anxiety, mood stabilizers and anti-psychotics. Neurobiological mechanisms of mental disorders are reviewed in terms of current research. An extensive explanation of the process of sleep and sleep disorders is also covered. Interaction of psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions is discussed, including medication response and side effects.

CP 5225  Alternative and Innovative Therapies (2 units)

Presentation of a variety of alternative and innovative psychotherapies, with offerings of experiential exercises, as appropriate. Exploration of psychotherapies drawn from Jungian, Somatic, Gestalt, Expressive Arts, Existential, and Transpersonal theories. Reading and discussion to contextualize theory, therapy, and clinical practice within the psychology field.  Discussion of human diversity, legal, and ethical issues for all psychotherapies presented.

CP 5231  Phases of Human Development (3 units)

Overview of psychological, biological, social and human diversity concepts of development as applied to the entire lifespan. Study of developmental theories and current research, adding a developmental  dimension to students’ formulations for counseling interventions.

CP 5237  Psychopathology and Treatment Planning (3 units)

Study of diagnostic categories to prepare students to diagnose, communicate about, study and treat individuals with various mental disorders. The DSM-IV multi-axial system and treatment approaches empirically supported by outcome research provide the foundation for diagnosis and treatment planning. Human diversity and general features and patterns will be included.

CP 5244  Advanced Counseling Techniques: Couple and Family Therapy (3 units)

Presentations of various theories of brief and long-term couple and family therapy including the history and etiology of family systems therapy, general systems theory, and the developmental life cycle of the family. Students will apply theory to their own families of origin, formulate treatment plans in working with couples and families, and practice family and couple techniques during role plays.

CP 5245  Clinical Aspects of Human Sexuality (2 units)

Study of the physiology, psychology and human diversity variables associated with human sexuality, including sexual identity, attitudes and behaviors. Counseling approaches to sexual concerns and the treatment of sexual dysfunction.

CP 5294  Fieldwork in Counseling (3 units)

Application, development and refinement of assessment, counseling and consultation skills in approved fieldwork sites. Supervision provided by approved on-site supervisor. Seminar provides group consultation and liaison between the University and on-site supervisor.

CP 5998  Directed Research (1-3 units)

Open only to students who have been admitted to candidacy for master's degree.

CP 5999  Independent Study (1-3 units)

Directed reading and/or independent research on topic of special interest to student and faculty member. Only 6 units may be taken through independent study.