Counselor Education 681

COED 681: Couples and Family Counseling: Strategies and Techniques

Prerequisites: COED 680

Credit Hours: (3) Two hours lecture; two hours laboratory

COED 681 is designed to provide an overview of the techniques and skills associated with the practice of couples, marriage and family therapy.

 

Detailed Description of Content of Course

The course is designed as a seminar with a strong experiential approach. Students will have the opportunity through individualized readings, creative assignments and in-class activities, to acquire hands-on knowledge of the various skills and techniques of marriage and family therapy. It is expected that class discussion include clinical issues and questions, as well as an examination of pertinent research. Topics to be addressed include:

1. Structural, strategic and systems techniques
2. Communication techniques
3. Experiential techniques
4. Behavioral techniques
5. Genograms as assessment techniques and intervention tools
6. Sex therapy
7. Divorce counseling
8. Premarital counseling
9. Marriage and family enrichment
10. Gender and intercultural issues
11. Alternative lifestyle families

  • the single parent family
  • the remarried family (stepfamilies)
  • the cohabitating heterosexual couple
  • the gay/lesbian couple
  • the dual career family

12. Ethical, legal and professional issues.

 

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Lecture/Laboratory - class discussions and presentations, videotapes and audiotapes of actual counseling sessions as well as in-class simulation and role playing of various couple and family techniques.

 

Goals and Objectives of the Course

Students will have the opportunity to develop techniques and abilities that demonstrate their knowledge of marriage and family counseling and the practical application of utilizing this information skillfully.

 

Assessment Measures

  • Class Participation and Attendance - students will be assessed based on their active involvement in class discussions, in- class simulations and role playing.
  • Research Paper and Presentation - each student will select one of the topics covered in the class, develop a research paper and present the findings to the class.
  • Tests

 

Other Information

Funds will need to be made available to purchase and/or rent training videotapes and other materials.

 

Review and Approval
April 1999 Revised