Individual & Family Issues in Pastoral Counseling – PACO 830

Course Description

This course is designed to provide an in-depth study of the commonly addressed issues encountered in pastoral counseling. This study will include topical discussions of individual and family issues including the more common mental health disorders and familial issues such as family composition, childbirth, parenting, and other pertinent topics throughout the lifespan.

Rationale

As a basis for their work, pastoral counselors should have a thorough understanding of individual and family issues in pastoral counseling. In addition to understanding core theoretical principles, pastoral counselors need to appreciate contributions from various theoretical approaches to the actual practice of counseling. This understanding serves to heighten counselor effectiveness in formulating effective treatment strategies and in aiding in the delivery of powerful interventions in an efficient and timely manner.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will introduce him/herself during the first week of class by creating a narrated video answering the questions found in the discussion prompt. (CLO: F)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. Each Discussion will require the student to research and participate in topical and theoretical discussions regarding counseling. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads in each Discussion. The first three Discussions will have word counts of 500 words for the thread and 250 for each reply. The final Discussion will have word counts of 400 words for the thread and 200 words for each reply. Citations are expected and must be written in current Turabian format. (CLOs: A,B,C,D,E)

The student will read Module 1: Week 1 readings from the textbooks. The student will elaborate on one topic of interest from the readings. The student is expected to contribute to the topic by adding insights on how the topic of interest applies to his/her worldview in the field of Christian Counseling. This assignment will be a minimum word count of 700 words. (CLOs: A,B,C,D,E)

The student will write two 4-MAT Chapter Reviews for two of the required textbooks for this course. The student will choose one chapter per textbook to review. The first 4-MAT Chapter Review will cover one chapter in the Clinton & Hawkins (2011) textbook, and the second 4-MAT Chapter Review will cover one chapter in the Townsend (2009) textbook. Each review must be 4–6 pages (excluding the title page and bibliography). Use of current Turabian format, correct grammar, and correct spelling is required. (CLOs: A,B,C,D,E)

The student will participate in two Reflective Writing Question Assignments.  This assignment is designed to engage the student in reflection at the half-way point of class and at the end of PACO 830.  As the student reflects on what he/she has learned so far he/she will also apply his/her knowledge to ministry. (CLOs: A,B, C, D, E)

The student will write a 12-15-page paper in current Turabian format that will focus on 1 theory or a combination/integration of theories in which he or she finds his or her orientation. It will be written as if the student is going to submit it to a journal, giving an argument for his or her integrative orientation and why it should be implemented across the field. This paper will include the tenets of the theory, influencers associated with this theory, techniques, strengths and weaknesses, biblical integrative factors, and a practical application. There must be a minimum of 3 scholarly resources. (CLOs: A,B,C,D,E)

This quiz will cover the Subject Matter Conversation. This quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 5 multiple-choice and true/false questions, and will have no time limit. (CLO: F)