SWRK 2045 - Introduction to Counseling

3 sem hrs cr

Comparative analysis of major theoretical approaches to counseling and psychotherapy practice: psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive behavioral, gestalt, rational emotive therapy, and systems theory. Prerequisite: Completion of or exemption from ENGL 0810  and READ 0810  

In rare and unusual circumstances, a course prerequisite can be overridden with the permission of the Department Lead for the discipline.

Transfer (UT) or Non-Transfer Course (UN): UT

• Identify the basic theories of counseling and psychotherapy
• Identify the application of these theories to the practice of counseling
• Identify the situations that are indicators of the appropriateness of a particular therapy
• Identify the personal qualities of the counselor as they relate to therapeutic effectiveness
• Demonstrate an integration of theoretical and experiential learning to begin the process of forming a personal model of counseling
• Identify and implement strategies for professional demeanor, and oral and written communication

Student Learning Outcomes
Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

1. Know the core values, ethics, and legal obligations of professional social workers
2. Attain a basic proficiency in ethical decision making
3. Gain proficiency in recording and documentation and appreciate the confidentiality of records

Competency 2: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Practice

1. Demonstrate appropriate professional integrity and apply social work values and ethics, respecting the dignity of the individual client’s self-determination and human diversity
2. Become more self-aware as a potential helping professional

Competency 3: Engage Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice

1. Be able to apply the skills of social work interviewing including the phases of preparing, beginning, exploring, assessing, contracting, evaluating, and ending a client service process
2. Apply a generalist framework of knowledge, skills and values for entry-level social work practice based on a problem-solving process including engagement, assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation, termination, and follow-up with systems of various sizes
3. Attain proficiency in the interpersonal skills of talking and listening

Competency 4: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

1. Know the phases and processes of social work practice
2. Understand the essential facilitative qualities and the characteristics of professional social work
3. Conceptualize the rapport-building skills and attitudes of positive regard, empathy, genuineness, controlled emotional involvement, tolerance for human diversity, and practitioner optimism about the ability of individuals to change and demonstrate the ability to develop this rapport