Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2024 - EDUC 323 D200

Introduction to Counselling Theories (3)

Class Number: 6493

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    60 units including EDUC 220.

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 foundational and current theories that guide counselling and psychotherapy, engaging students in critical reflection on the implications of these theories for practice. A broad spectrum of theories including Psychodynamic, Cognitive and Behavioural, Existential and Humanistic, Postmodern, Multicultural, and Family approaches are surveyed. The course examines the philosophical assumptions about human beings, our social worlds, and human change processes that underpin counselling approaches. Theories will be explored and critiqued from multiple perspectives including effectiveness, ethics, philosophical tenets, personal belief systems and multicultural contexts.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  1. Acquire knowledge in order to synthesize and distinguish between the ideas and assumptions associated with the prevailing theories of counselling.
  2. Critically evaluate and apply the ideas and concepts of theories of counselling in a way that considers a “clients” sociocultural location and that is professionally defensible.
  3. Examine social context and consider how religion/spirituality, gender, ethnicity, age, personal/sexual identity, SES, family, and other sociocultural forces influence the process of counselling.
  4. Critically examine the assumptions that underlie one’s own values & belief systems.

Grading

  • Class participation 15%
  • Unit Quizzes 30%
  • Case Conceptualization 30%
  • In-class Final Exam 25%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Corey, G. (2017).  Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy, 10th Edition. Cengage Learning.


ISBN: 978-1305263727

RECOMMENDED READING:

American Psychological Association (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

 


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html