This course addresses topics and learning activities that facilitate the development of Exemplary Counselors as problem solvers.

KNOWLEDGE BASE FOCUS:
Professional skills (primary)
Diversity

PROBLEM-SOLVING EMPHASIS:
Students in EDUC 645 are introduced to models of counseling which provide them with means for conceptualizing problems which clients bring to a counseling relationship. Students have opportunity, through class activities, to develop basic counseling skills and techniques, and to grow in self-awareness. Students also do research into the implications for working with diverse groups in a counseling setting (Obj. 4).

PROFESSIONAL DISPOSITIONS EMPHASIS:
Practice thoughtful forseeability
Diversity

DESCRIPTION:
This course combines independent study of philosophy of individual counseling with the development of techniques and skills in the field. Students independently read and study a text and complete a skills workbook. They also participate in video taped role plays, receiving constructive feedback on their performance. The emphasis is on the development of counseling skills. Lecture, group discussion, and demonstrations are also used. Multicultural, ethical, and legal issues are also addressed.

TEXTS:
Egan, G. (2007). The Skilled Helper, (8^th Ed.), Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.
Egan, G., & McGourtney, R., Exercises in Helping Skills, (8^th Ed.), Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

OBJECTIVES:
This course combines independent academic study with a practical, experiential component. Approximately half of each class is spent working with practical problem situations through case studies, role plays, and peer counseling activities. The general objectives of this course are:

1. The student will develop basic helping skills and counseling techniques.

2. The student will develop and enhanced understanding of self and of the impact of the self on the counseling relationship and process.

3. The student will be able to apply a problem-management model of counseling.

4. The student will acquire relevant knowledge of techniques of counseling, including the application of various techniques to multicultural contexts.

ASSIGNMENTS:
The students will:

1. Read The Skilled Helper, and complete the corresponding exercises in Exercises for Helping Skills. Completion of the workbook will count as an exam grade (100 pts) Workbook will be due the last class meeting.       

2. Complete 6 video tapes of live counseling sessions for review. Further guidelines will be given as class progresses.  Each student will be assigned a partner, with whom they make video tapes on alternate weeks. (100 pts). NOTE: On weeks that students do not make tapes, they will meet with their partner to work together on assignment #1.  These meetings will be documented, or they will be counted as absences.

3. Choose a cultural group other than his/her own and prepare a 5-page paper dealing with possible issues a counselor might face in working with a member of that group. The paper should be typed, double-spaced, with a minimum of 3 references. (50 pts)

6. Class participation will be worth 50 pts, and will be based on the following:

(1) a journal of the student’s thoughts, reactions, and insights; journal entries will be submitted weekly as e-mails; the professor will read and respond to them (45 pts)

(2) a written statement of a personal goal to be submitted the second session of class (5 pts).

EVALUATION:

A total of 300 points may be earned for this course; grades will be assigned as follows:

300- 270 - A
269- 240 - B
239- 210 - C
below 210 - F

STATEMENT ON CONFIDENTIALITY:
The client’s right to confidentiality is a cardinal principle of the counselor’s professional ethical guidelines. Students in this class will be asked to assume the role of both the counselor and of a client. In doing so, students may divulge information of a personal nature. For that reason, students must be afforded the same right to confidentiality that a client would. Please remember this during the course of this semester.

"He who answers before listening - that is his folly and his shame" - Prov. 18:13

CLASS OUTLINE/ASSIGNMENTS

Written Assignments – 10 points per day late penalty; Written assignments will be graded for spelling, grammar, and format. Please proofread your papers before turning them in.

Exercises from Skilled Helper workbook with corresponding chapters from the text

Bibliography of
Recommended Readings