Course Syllabus
Athabasca University
Psychology (PSYC) 406
Introduction to Theories of Counselling and Psychotherapy
Revision 1 closed May 10, 2006, replaced by current version.
Delivery mode: Individualized study or grouped study. Online-enhanced.
Credits: 3 - Social Science
Prerequisite: PSYC 290 and PSYC 388 are recommended.
Centre: Centre for Psychology
PSYC 406 has a Challenge for Credit option
Prospective students are encouraged to visit the course Web site to learn more about the course and online enhancements.
Overview
This course examines the basic tenets and therapeutic processes that characterize various theoretical approaches to counselling/psychotherapy. The models are clustered according to the four major forces in psychology: Psychodynamic (Psychoanalytic, Adlerian); Behavioural and Cognitive-Behavioural (Behavioural, Cognitive-Behavioural, Reality); Humanistic (Existential, Person-Centred, Gestalt); and Contextual/Systemic (Feminist, Family Systems, Multicultural). Emphasis is placed on critical analysis of the various approaches as well as self-reflection in relation to values, beliefs, assumptions about human nature, and worldview.
Outline
Section I: Basic Issues in Counselling Practice
Unit 1: Introduction and Overview
Unit 2: The Counsellor: Person and Professional
Section II: First Force: Psychodynamic Theories and Techniques
Unit 3: Psychoanalytic Theory
Unit 4: Adlerian Theory
Section III: Second Force: Behavioural and Cognitive-Behavioural Theories and Techniques
Unit 5: Behavioural Theory
Unit 6: Cognitive-Behavioural Theory
Unit 7: Control Theory/Reality Therapy
Section IV: Third Force: Humanistic Theories and Techniques
Unit 8: Existential Theory
Unit 9: Person-centred Theory
Unit 10: Gestalt Theory
Section V: Fourth Force: Contextual and Systemic Theories and Techniques
Unit 11: Feminist Theory
Unit 12: Family Systems Theory
Unit 13: Multicultural Theory
Section VI: Integration and Application
Unit 14: An Integrative Perspective
Evaluation
To receive credit for PSYC 406, you must complete the mid-term and final exams and submit all the course assignments. The passing grade for the course is “D” (50 percent). The weighting of assignments is as follows:
| Mid-term Quiz | Case Study | Personal Reflection Paper | Final Exam | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20% | 30% | 20% | 30% | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
Textbooks
Corey, G. (2000). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (6th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks-Cole/Wadsworth.
Corey, G. (2000). Student Manual for Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (6th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks-Cole/Wadsworth.
Corey, G. (2000). Case Approach to Counseling and Psychotherapy (5th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks-Cole/Wadsworth.
Other materials
The course materials include a course manual, a study guide, and an assignment manual.
Special Course Features
Optional online materials are available.