COUN 502 - The Helping Relationship

4 credits
Designed for first-term clinical mental health counseling students. Focuses on the foundational ingredients of the effective counseling relationship, including development of an empathic therapeutic alliance, a clear professional identity; ethical practice; multicultural sensitivity; and the conceptual, interpersonal, and therapeutic skills that foster movement toward clients’ goals and potentialities. Students gain competence in interviewing, utilizing counseling microskills, and conducting a counseling session. The course consists of both classroom work and between class activities. Each week students are involved in videotaped, role-play practice interviews with peers from class. Students also meet for 2-hours of group supervision. Students learn how to utilize supervision to facilitate development of microskills and expand competence as an “intentional” counselor. Please note: The total time commitment each week for this course is approximately 7 to 8 hours and consists of the following: Class = 4 hours; Practice Sessions = 1 to 2 hours; Group Supervision = 2 hours. Grading option designated on a CRN basis each term. Students should consult current term schedule. Must be eligible to take Graduate level coursework. Prerequisite(s): Enrollment in the MHC program. Corequisite(s): COUN 571.