Theories and Techniques in Pastoral Counseling – PACO 617

Course Description

This course introduces students to selected theories of counseling and psychotherapy. It involves an intensive pastoral counseling experience designed to enhance self-awareness, promote personality exploration, and provide case discussion and analysis. Fundamentals of the therapeutic relationship and essential skills are examined.

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

Rationale

This course addresses the need for students to have curricular experiences and demonstrate their knowledge in the common core area of “helping relationships.” The ability to integrate and apply an understanding of the theories and techniques to one’s personal and professional life is critical in pastoral counselor development.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

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

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion, and will also respond to at least 2 of their classmate's posts. The original thread should be at least 350 words and must demonstrate course-related knowledge, and must be supported by at least 2 sources, one of which must be in addition to the texts and presentations, as well as appropriate scriptures. Reply posts will be assigned in the week following the original post and should be at least 150 words apiece. (Relates to learning outcomes A, B, C, D).

Movie Review Assignment

The students is to complete a movie review by watching a movie of his/her choosing that has a strong pastoral counseling theme. You then complete a 3 - 4 page critique of the movie as it relates to the topic of pastoral counseling (the page count does not include the title page). The student must pay particular attention to how the ideas presented in this movie might be used in pastoral counseling. This assignment must have a title page with your name, the course number, the instructor’s name, the assignment number (Movie Review), and the date. 

Practical Book Review Assignment

The student will complete a Practical Book Review during the course of his/her study. The review will cover the Hawkins and Clinton text. This assignment must have a title page with the student’s name, the course number, the instructor’s name, the assignment number (Practical Book Review), and the date. 

Quizzes (8)

These quizzes are open-book/open-notes, covering the 15 chapters of Thomas, J. C., & Sosin, L. (2011). Therapeutic expedition: Equipping the Christian counselor for the journey. There will be 1 quiz covering 1–2 chapters for each module of the course. (Relates to learning outcomes A, B, C, D).