COUC 505 Counseling Techniques & Helping Relationship

This course meets the requirement of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) that the student must have curricular experiences and demonstrate his or her knowledge in the common core area of “counseling and helping relationships” (CACREP 2016 Standards, Section 2.F.5.). The ability to integrate and apply an understanding of the theories and techniques to one’s personal and professional life is critical in counselor development. In fact, this course may be one of the most important courses in the program as it addresses the essence of counseling. This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the basic knowledge, communication skills, and values necessary to invite others to share their life stories and experiences, explore blocks to change, and engage in a reflective decision-making process in order to implement strategies for change.

This course also encourages self-awareness and self-exploration so that the student can gain an understanding of how his or her own personal experiences, preferences, feelings, values, and worldview influences his or her practice as a counselor. A key feature of this course is the opportunity to practice these essential counseling skills and experience the counseling process in a safe, controlled environment. Over the course of the semester, the student will be able to practice his or her skills with other counselor-trainees. Extensive uses of media and situational role-plays will help the student learn the essential skills involved in building an effective helping relationship. The student has the opportunity to practice these essential counseling skills and experience the counseling process in a safe, controlled environment over the semester. As Christians, this course helps the student develop skills to effectively navigate his or her Christian worldview while working with clients of different values and belief systems.

Method of Instruction: This semester-long course is delivered using two synchronous intensive options: 1) The student may select an in-person synchronous intensive option and will attend 36-40 hours of in-person classroom-based instruction at our campus in Lynchburg; or 2) the student may select an online synchronous intensive option and will attend 36-40 hours of video-based instruction. In addition to the one week of in-person or digital synchronous class time, each student is expected to complete additional work online both pre- and post-intensive over the duration of the semester.

Textbook readings and supplemental material

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

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

Video Recording and Skills Observation Assignments (4)

During the intensive week, these assignments will be utilized to provide the student with the opportunity to practice basic counseling skills. The student will be able to use what has been learned during the intensive and apply it to real world situations. The student will also have the opportunity to observe his or her classmates in order to identify skills and provide constructive feedback.

The student will submit a written transcription recording of 5 interactions that he or she would like to redo during his or her session. (CLO: A. B, C, D, E, F)

Self-Reflection and Self-Care Evaluation Plan Assignment

The student will submit the Self-Reflection and Self-Care Evaluation Plan Assignment after receiving individual and live supervision feedback. The student must take into account the feedback received up to this point and how to address concerns and improve skills competencies going forward. (CLO: A. B, C, D, E, F)

Benchmark Final Skills Competency Scale (SCS) Self-Assessment Assignment

Faculty/consultants will complete a competency scale at the end of the course, which will be used to calculate overall participation points. If basic skills are not met with an 80% pass, then the student will need to discuss a remediation plan with his or her lead professor. (CLO: A. B, C, D, E, F)

Quiz: Lecture Participation

The student is expected to attend all intensive class sessions in a timely manner. The student must confirm via the Quiz: Lecture Participation. During class time, the student is expected to be on time and attend all sessions. Attendance points will be awarded for intensive week. If a student is not able to attend all days of the intensive, they should switch class sections if one is available. Alternatively, a student may receive a grade of ‘F’ if any portion of the intensive is missed. The intensive class meets Monday – Thursday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and on Friday 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. The quiz will contain 1 true/false question and have no time limit.

The student must complete this quiz prior to practicing counseling skills and after reading the information on the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Policy Regarding the Provision of Distance Professional Service. The quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 10 multiple-choice and true/false questions, and have a 1-hour time limit.

The student must answer emergency acknowledgement and contact information questions prior to practicing counseling skills. The quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 1 multiple-choice and 2 essay question, and have a 1-hour time limit.

The student must complete this quiz prior to practicing counseling skills. The quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 5 true/false questions, and have a 1-hour time limit.

Quizzes (12)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the Module in which it is assigned. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 10 multiple-choice questions, and have a 20-minute time limit. (CLO: A. B, C, D, E, F)

Triad Practice Progress Quizzes (5)

The student will continue to practice weekly in his or her triads after the intensive. For full participation points, these sessions will need to occur at least 5 times in Microsoft Teams. This is an opportunity to practice skills and improve the live supervision session. Each practice session must be recorded to receive practice points. The quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 3 true/false, file-upload, and short-answer questions, and have a 1-hour time limit. (CLO: A. B, C, D, E, F)

Quiz: Initial Live Supervision Participation

After the intensive week, the student will need to continue to practice weekly. Consultants will schedule 2 live supervision meeting times (approximately an hour) for student triads. These will be recorded and uploaded to the course. The quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 1 essay question, and have no time limit. (CLO: A. B, C, D, E, F)

Quiz: Benchmark Live Supervision Participation

After the intensive week, the student will need to continue to practice weekly. Consultants will schedule 2 live supervision meeting times (approximately an hour) for student triads. These will be recorded and uploaded to the course. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 1 essay question, and have no time limit. (CLO: A. B, C, D, E, F)

The student will will rate him/herself on the nine dispositions required for this program. The quiz will contain 9 multiple-choice questions and 1 essay question and is limited to 60 minutes. The student is allowed 1 attempt to complete the quiz.