Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Survey of theories undergirding counsellor and teacher interventions aimed at promoting emotional growth, development and personal change. Examination of theories and their sociological, cultural and philosophical contexts. Exploration of links between frequently used interventions and the implicit theories underlying these strategies.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course provides an overview of theories that guide counselling and psychotherapy, engaging students in critical reflection on the implications of these theories for practice in contemporary sociocultural context. Foundational and current counselling theories aligned with Psychodynamic, Cognitive and Behavioural, Existential and Humanistic, Constructivist, Social Constructionist and Postmodern, Indigenous, Multicultural, Social Justice, Feminist and Queer/LGBT approaches are surveyed. Common Factors research and approaches to integration are introduced. The course examines the philosophical assumptions about human beings, human interactions, and human change processes that underpin counselling approaches. Theories will be critiqued from perspective of the sociocultural context of therapy practice, effectiveness and ethical practice in a diverse, pluralistic society, and theories’ alignments with values and goals of the Truth & Reconciliation process, decolonization, equity and human rights. Theories will be applied to examples of contemporary mental health concerns.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

This course uses readings, class discussion and lecture,online, participatory and experiential learning strategies designed to meet course objectives. Namely, in this course students will build a broad and deep enough knowledge of counselling theories to begin the process of articulating a theory of counselling that is defensible and congruent with personal values. To accomplish this primary objective, students will:   

• examine a range of counselling theories, including the sociocultural and historical context that influenced the theories' development, underlying assumptions and view of human beings, human change, framing of problems or dysfunction, and view of healthy functioning, therapeutic stance, key concepts and interventions
• become familiar with the counselling process and elements of counselling interactions
• critically examine counselling theories
• evaluate evidence for the effectiveness and efficacy of counselling and psychotherapy 
• understand principles guiding ethical practice
• critically apply counselling theories to practice issues that arise in multicultural settings common in Canadian schools and communities
• reflect on and clarify their own values and understandings of human beings, social worlds, and change, and situate these in the philosophical underpinnings of counselling theories
• practice critical self-reflexivity about how students own social positionalities shape values, counselling approach, and counselling interactions 
• review recommendations of Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People that are particularly relevant to Canadian schools and mental health professions

Grading

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

In addition to the reading materials below, links to readings will be posted on the course Canvas site. Students will need access to a computer to access Canvas, conduct library research, view online videos, and write papers.

REQUIRED READING:

RECOMMENDED READING:

REQUIRED READING NOTES: