Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling and Therapy Emphasis
Students in the Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling and Therapy program are required to successfully complete the following MCFCT emphasis courses and 6 credits of electives with advisement:
COUN 545: Community Agency Counseling (3 credits)
COUN 600: Introduction to Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling and Therapy (3 credits)
COUN 601: Theory and Development of Family Systems (3 credits)
COUN 602: Assessment and Intervention in Family Systems (3 credits)
COUN 603: Laboratory in Couple and Family Systems (3 credits)
COUN 604: Couples in Relationship (3 credits)
6 credits Elective coursework (please see elective options below)
COUN 545 Community Agency Counseling
This course is designed for students to learn the fundamentals of community agency counseling. Understanding the nature of the clientele and the concerns they bring to counseling, counselor roles, identification of effective treatment modes, client advocacy, and collaborative work among the helping professionals are considered. In COUN 545, students explore the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) and the assessment procedures and the process of treatment planning that are useful in community counseling settings.
COUN 600 Introduction to Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling and Therapy
The purpose of this course is to provide learners with the fundamentals of family systems perspectives in working with individuals, couples and families. This course is designed to provide both the theoretical constructs and practical application of systemic family counseling with case studies appropriate for various counseling settings. In COUN 600, each learner is expected to explore their own family including the family of origin to gain a greater understanding of how their family background influences his/her approach to counseling. Additionally, this course provides an introduction to and overview of the general field of marriage and family therapy, a history of the family counseling movement, as well as a basic description of the major approaches to marriage and family counseling. Professional issues such as research, ethics, and training are also included in the course content.
COUN 601 Theory and Development of Family Systems
This course provides and in-depth experimental examination of current trends in family therapy theory development based on student presentations of their family of origin. Attention will be given to family life cycle, stages of family development, and modes of working with the systemic issues as they are identified in presentations.
COUN 602 Assessment and Intervention in Family Systems
This course focuses on developing an in-depth understanding of theoretical concepts of the major models of family systems therapy with an emphasis on assessment and intervention strategies. Students in COUN 602 learn about the assessment of families and couples using the four step structural model. Assessment techniques consistent with other major models of family therapy are also explored. Standardized tools of family and couple assessment are also included in the learning process. Importantly, treatment planning, goal setting, development of interventions, facilitation of change, termination, and therapist’s use of self are discussed in relation to each phase of the therapeutic process. The effects of multicultural issues on families and the changing socio-political climate are an essential aspect of the course.
COUN 603 Laboratory in Couple and Family Systems
Through experiential skill building exercises, video, role play and case discussions, this course provides MCFCT students with an intensive laboratory training experience in marriage, couple, and family counseling and therapy. COUN 603 also provides opportunities for students to demonstrate conceptual knowledge and to practice intervention skills throughout the progressive phases of treatment. In this way, students can learn through experience as they see how specific models of therapy are demonstrated in the laboratory setting.
COUN 604 Couples in Relationship
The purpose of this course is to examine systemic models of therapy used in working with couples. Attention is given to specific issues such as sexual dysfunction, infertility, changes in socioeconomic status, domestic violence, separation, divorce, and remarriage, intercultural couples and other issues relevant to the assessment and treatment of couples. All issues are discussed within the contexts in which couples live and work. Conceptual frameworks and their clinical applications are examined though reading, videotapes, and practice. Race, gender, ethnicity, social class, spirituality and their effects on the couple relationship are highlighted. In COUN 604, learning is not limited to heterosexual couples, but also includes same sex couples, couples in committed relationships, and challenges related to uncoupling.
COUN 605 Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy
This course examines the ethical, legal and professional issues unique to professional counselors, school counselors and marriage and family therapists. Special attention is given to principles of ethical decision-making, professional codes of ethics, ethical concepts and considerations within the context of counseling and therapy. Legal concepts, sources and types of law, professional liability, confidentiality and privileged information, as well as risk management are reviewed. Additionally, professional identifications and training, licensure and certifications, accountability, marketing and research are discussed.
Relevant Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling and Therapy Electives
Students in the Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling and Therapy program also select two electives (six credits), with department advisement. Relevant MCFCT elective courses include, but are not limited to the following:
COUN 560 Counseling Girls and Women
COUN 561 Counseling Boys and Men
EPSY 661 Counseling Exceptional and At-Risk Children and Adolescents
COUN 551 Substance Abuse and Addiction: Individual, Family, and Society
COUN 552 Substance Abuse Education and Prevention
COUN 553 Treating Substance Abuse and Co-Occurring Disorders
COUN 555 Differential Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
COUN 697: Independent Study in Counseling: COUN 697 is an in-depth exploration of a topic within a specific area of the discipline of counseling involving supervised reading, research, and regular conferences with the faculty adviser.
COUN 698: Department Project in Counseling: COUN 698 provides opportunities for in-depth study in an area of interest to the student and/or participation in an activity related to counseling and personnel services.
In addition, each May the Department of Counselor Education offers a series of one week, one credit, COUN 597 “Special Topics in Counseling” courses which may be taken as electives. Recent Special Topics courses have included:
COUN 597 Wellness Counseling
COUN 597 Crisis Management in Counseling
COUN 597 College Planning & Preparation
COUN 597 Counseling for Domestic Violence
COUN 597 Eating Disorders Treatment
COUN 597 Mindfulness-Based Practices in Counseling