Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Orientation to the counseling profession through an examination of the history and philosophy of the counseling profession; professional roles of counselors; professional counseling organizations; and legal, ethical, and professional issues in professional counseling. Introduction to stages and strategies in the counseling process. Development of attending skills, basic and advanced counseling skills, as well as an introduction to case conceptualization skills. Includes an intensive laboratory focused on developing interviewing skills and mastering counseling procedures.

Overview of human development processes and stages. Analysis of predictable conflicts and crises associated with progression throughout lifespan, as well as the impact of cultural and environmental factors upon development. Overview of developmental theories (physical, psychosexual, cognitive, emotional, and social development) that describe development from conception to death. Concentration upon applying theoretical concepts to counseling various populations across lifespan.

This course provides an exploration of social and cultural diversity in counseling, including diverse racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural heritages and sexual identities and socioeconomic statuses. It includes a study of historical and current issues of equality as applied to socially marginalized groups; personal reflection on the impact of one’s own attitudes, beliefs, worldview, and racial and cultural identity on the counseling process; strategies for employing culturally competent counseling in individual, group, and family modalities, including specific behavioral skills and application of various theories of racial and cultural identity development; the role of the counselor as an advocate for members of marginalized groups and for the pursuit of social justice; and ethical and legal obligations of counselors in dealing with social and cultural diversity.

Provides an overview of addictive disorders and addictions counseling. Discusses the neurobiological, genetic, psychological, developmental, behavioral, and sociocultural perspectives on the etiology, development and recovery processes associated with substance use disorders. Explores assessment, diagnosis, intervention strategies, determination of appropriate level of care, and specific treatment modalities and counseling approaches for substance use disorders listed in the DSM-5. Discusses the impact of addictions on families, the self-help movement, relapse prevention approaches and the prevention of addictive disorders. Considers treatment issues with diverse cultural groups. Provides an overview of special ethical issues involved in addictions counseling.

This course provides an orientation to the professional specialty of clinical mental health counseling, including professional roles, identity and functions, the history and philosophy of the profession, scope of practice, ethical and professional practice issues (such as managed care), credentialing, and clinical supervision, models, and processes. The course explores models and programs used in the prevention and treatment of mental health across diverse populations, and the design of mental health service delivery systems across levels of care. The course investigates the organizational (including emergency management systems), financing, public policy and regulatory processes of mental health service delivery systems. Advocacy for mental health service needs across diverse populations and for the advancement of the profession will be considered. Prerequisites: BSC 560, CHD 602, CHD 603, CHD 610, CHD 624, CHD 730, CHD 740.