Counseling Children and Their Families – HSMF 611

CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

The developmental and psychological needs and problems of children are examined through the analysis of personality types and family structure. Counseling techniques (e.g. play therapy) for children are also examined.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

HSMF 611 is a graduate course in the development and counseling of children. America’s children are the focus of growing concern because of increasing rates of divorce, separation, and the fragmentation of cohabitate relationships. In addition, they are the victims of physical, sexual, emotional, and verbal abuse. This specific course is offered in an eight-week format. It includes extensive readings, interactions with current professionals, a research paper, and interactions with other students via a discussion board.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

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

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the course contains 2 graded Discussions. The purpose of these Discussions is to generate interaction among students in regard to relevant current course topics. Since Discussions are a collaborative learning experience, each student is required to both initiate initial threads and to respond to the threads of others.  Each of the discussions is moderated over two weeks. For this course, discussion 1 takes place during module 1 and module 2.  Discussion 2 takes place during module 4 and 5.  All initial threads and replies are due on Sunday of their respective modules.

Depending on the Discussion prompt, an initial thread should be at least 350 words, substantive replies should be least 100 words. Your statements should clearly demonstrate whether your ideas come from your textbook readings, from scholarly articles, from conclusions drawn from consideration of those sources, and/or your own personal experience.  

Practice Exercise assessments

The purpose of this assessments is to assess your ability to apply child-centered techniques.  During the first five weeks of class, you will be doing practice exercises in the Child-Centered Play Therapy workbook. You will have a practice assessment during the first five weeks. Each assessment is worth 10 points and are short answers.

Multiple Choice Quizzes

Quiz- You will have three quizzes over the reading from both textbooks and course resources.  Quiz questions are multiple choice, worth 3 points per question; Multiple Choice Quiz: Frameworks is worth 150 points, Multiple Choice Quiz: Counseling Approaches is worth 150 points, and Multiple Choice Quiz: Engagement is worth 100 points.


Multiple Choice Quiz: Frameworks (module 2): 150 points 

  • Cook-Cottone, Kane, & Anderson (2019) chapters 1 & 2
  • Mullen and Rickli (2014) chapters 1 & 2

Multiple Choice Quiz: Counseling Approaches (module 5): 150 points 

  • Cook-Cottone, Kane, & Anderson (2015) chapter 3-5
  • Mullen and Rickli (2014) chapters 3-5

Multiple Choice Quiz: Engagement (module 8): 100 points

  • Cook-Cottone, Kane, & Anderson (2015) chapter 6 & 7
  • Crisis intervention resources (module 6)
  • Integration of faith ppt (module 7)
  • Legal and ethical issue ppt  (module 7)

Essay Quizzes

Essay Quizzes– Three assignments are focused on critical thinking and application of knowledge, principles, and strategies. The assignment questions are developed from the reading of both textbooks, and are provided in the module folders. Assignments should be submitted in the assignment link.  The essay quizzes are not timed and are open-book.

    1. Essay Quiz: Process and Strategies (module 3, 80 points.) 
      You will illustrate your competency and ability to apply accurate counseling skills and strategies that you have learned in module 1 and 2 of the Cook-Cottone, et al., textbook. This assignment has fourteen questions that you will develop narrative responses and short answers.
    2. Essay Quiz: Child-Centered Play Therapy (module 4, 80 points). For this assignment you will use various skills and strategies you have learned from the Child-Centered Play Therapy Workbook. This assignment has nine questions that you will develop narrative responses and short answers.
    3. Essay Quiz: Crisis Intervention & Mandated Reporting (module 6, 70 points.)
      For this assignment, you will research mandated reporting laws and guidelines, you will use the crisis intervention resources from module six, and practice responding to a case study illustrating a potential crisis. This assignment has four questions that you will develop narrative responses and short answers.

Essay Quiz: Counseling Portfolio

Counseling Portfolio (module 7, 200 points). This assignment is a collection of ideas, practices, principles, perspectives and values that will continue to guide your counseling philosophy with children.  You will summarize and reflect on the most important counseling principles you have gained from the course.  It provides an organizational structure for your professional portfolio. This assignment should be submitted in the assignments link.  The questions are provided in the weekly folder for review before final submission.