MMFT 601 Marriage and Family Therapy I: Foundations of Systemic Family Therapy

This course introduces students to the foundations of marriage and family therapy (MFT) from a systemic perspective. Emphasis is placed on understanding core MFT theories, models of family functioning, and systemic interventions. Historical and contemporary developments in family therapy are explored, along with ethical and legal considerations specific to MFT. Students will engage in clinical case analysis, develop genograms, and critically evaluate the integration of spirituality in relational therapy.

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

This course establishes a strong theoretical foundation for the student entering systemic family therapy. By exploring foundational MFT models, the student gains critical thinking skills and clinical knowledge needed for effective case conceptualization and treatment planning. The integration of ethical and faith-based perspectives ensures that the student approaches therapy in a way that is both culturally competent and professionally responsible.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

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.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will complete 4 Discussions throughout this course. The student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. The thread must be at least 500 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 1 classmate’s thread. The reply must be at least 400 words. The thread and reply must cite at least 1 scholarly source. Any sources cited must have been published within the last 5 years. Where applicable, a Christian worldview or biblical themes should be included. These discussion activities are designed to allow the student to discuss, articulate, analyze, and integrate the various aspects of marriage and family counseling as well as learn how faith can be integrated within counseling. (CLO: A, B)

Family Genogram Project Assignment

The student will use the GenoPro software and the McGoldrick et al. (2020) textbook to prepare a family genogram of at least 3 generations of his/her family system. The genogram should focus on family strengths and resilience, family patterns, rules or ways of being, and the overall health of the family. The student will also write a 5-page paper in current APA format analyzing his/her genogram, addressing a provided list of questions. First person may be utilized. The written portion should include a cover page, abstract, and reference page if necessary. (CLO: C, D)

Christian Figure and Mental Illness Assignment

The student will write-up a 6-page case presentation of a famous Christian of his/her choosing who is struggling with, or has struggled with, a mental illness. This should include background information, diagnostic considerations, the theoretical orientation, and a treatment plan. The student must select a Christian historical figure with clearly defined symptoms of
psychopathology (e.g., Mother Theresa, Martin Luther). The focus of this paper is on developing a theory-based treatment plan. Current APA professional standards must be used. (CLO: A, C, D, E)

This quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned Modules: Weeks. This quiz will allow 1 attempt, be open-book/open-notes, contain 2 short-answer questions, and will have no time limit. The reflection should be at least 1,000 words and any citations should follow current APA format.

Quiz: SYMBIS Facilitator Certificate

The student will complete the SYMBIS Assessment Facilitator Certification and submit proof of completion. This certification will assist the student in assessing and identifying crucial elements in counseling pre-marital and marital couples, as well as couples in their second marriage. This quiz will allow 1 attempt, be open-book/open-notes, contain 1 file-upload question, and will have no time limit. (CLO: A, B)

Quiz: Dispositions Reflection

The student 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 1 hour. The student is allowed 1 attempt to complete the quiz.

Quizzes (2)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned Modules: Weeks. These quizzes will require the student to synthesize, compare and contrast, and demonstrate graduate-level integration of the materials covered in the course. Each quiz will allow 1 attempt, be open-book/open-notes, and have a 3-hour time limit. Quiz: Midterm will consist of 100 multiple-choice questions and Quiz: Final will consist of 70 multiple-choice questions. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E)