Counseling Techniques & Helping Relationship – CEFS 505

Course Description

This is a competency-based course with an experiential emphasis. The student is required to demonstrate proficiency in counseling concepts and techniques that align with a variety of theoretical approaches which are all fundamental to understanding and modeling a therapeutic counseling relationship. These basic skills will be practiced and applied.

Rationale

Students must have curricular experiences and demonstrate their knowledge in helping relationships. The ability to synthesize and apply an understanding of the theories and techniques to one’s personal and professional life is critical in counselor development. This course is designed to provide students 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 to implement strategies for change. This course also encourages self-awareness and self-exploration so that students can gain an understanding of how their personal experiences, preferences, feelings, values, and worldview influences their practice as a counselor. Such insights cultivate personal, professional, and spiritual growth. Students have 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 students develop skills to effectively navigate their Christian world view while working with clients of different values and beliefs systems. 

Method of Instruction: This semester-long course is delivered using two synchronous intensive options: 1) Students 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) Students 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, students are expected to complete additional work online both pre- and post-intensive over the duration of the semester.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and supplemental material

Course Requirements Checklist

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

Advising Acknowledgement Quiz

Students will review the program handbook and licensure information by following the link within the quiz information. Once reviewed, the student will need to complete the Advising Guide Acknowledgment Quiz.

Students 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.

Students must answer emergency acknowledgement and contact information questions prior to practicing counseling skills.

Students must complete this quiz prior to practicing counseling skills.

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-F)

Quiz: Triad Practice Progress (5)

Students will continue to practice weekly in their triads after the intensive. For full participation points, these sessions will need to occur at least 5 times in MS Teams. This is an opportunity to practice skills and improve the live supervision session. Each practice session must be recorded to receive practice points. (CLO: A-F)

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

Benchmark Final Skills Competency Scale (SCS) Participation 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 their lead professor. (CLO: A-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-F)

Quiz: Initial Live Supervision Participation

After the intensive week, students 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. (CLO: A-F)

Quiz: Benchmark Live Supervision Participation

After the intensive week, students 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. CMHC students will also upload to Tevera. School Counseling Students will upload to Livetext. (CLO: A-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.

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 their classmates in order to identify skills and provide constructive feedback.

Quiz: Lecture Participation

Students are expected to attend all intensive class sessions in a timely manner. Students must confirm via the Quiz: Lecture Participation. During class time, students are 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 am to 4:30 pm and on Friday 8 am to 12 PM.