2009 - 2010 Academic Catalog - Westminster Theological Seminary

{Course Descriptions}
Practical Theology – Counseling
2009–2010
Students will observe counseling through a one-way mirror and meet
with the counselor following the counseling session. Instead of
addressing predetermined topics, the class will discuss topics that
arise out of the counseling case. Limited enrollment. Preference
given to M.Div. - Counseling and M.A. - Biblical Counseling students.
Prerequisite, PTC 151.
Fall and spring semesters, two hours. Staff.
PTC 432 Essential Qualities of a
Biblical Counselor
Purpose:
• To help students identify their strengths and weaknesses
as counselors with regard to both heart issues and skills
• To help students develop strategies for growth in these areas
• To provide practical opportunities by which to
make these evaluations and to develop skills
that contribute to effective counseling
Character qualities covered include love, humility, faithfulness,
and spiritual maturity. Skills are coordinated with those covered
in Methods of Biblical Change. Limited enrollment. Prerequisite,
either PTC 151 or PTC 453.
Winter term, two hours. Mrs. Kim.
PTC 514 Seminar in Professional Orientation
Purpose:
• To understand the organizational structures that
oversee professional and lay counseling.
• To identify and apply ethical and legal guidelines
• To formulate a biblical perspective on professional ethics
• To discern the relevance of diversity and crosscultural
issues in counseling practice
Winter term, two hours. Mr. Emlet and Mr. Winston Smith.
PTC 523 Counseling in the Local Church
Purpose:
• To broaden students’ understanding of
counseling to include all relationships
• To build a thoroughly biblical understanding of the local church
as a ministering community where everyone plays a part
• To help students find their place of ministry within the
context of the local church and to help others do the same
• To see the importance of both public and private
ministry of the Word and how they interrelate
• To examine present ministry opportunities
Topics covered include a biblical foundation for private ministry of
the Word; the role of community and relationships in the process
of sanctification; developing a practical ecclesiology; and developing
an eye for ministry opportunities such as conflict resolution,
evangelism, and church discipline.
Spring Semester, two hours. Mr. Lane.
PTC 591 CCEF Annual Conference
Purpose:
• To introduce students to contemporary
issues in Biblical Counseling
Topics covered will change every year so students can take the
course more than once. Students should contact the fall course
schedule for specific dates.
Fall semester, one hour. Staff.
PTC 673 Case Study Seminar
Purpose:
• To apply theology to the specifics of face-to-face ministry
• To develop more experience by discussing a
broad range of counseling case studies
• To receive supervision on counseling cases
Faculty will present counseling cases for group discussion and
students will present their own cases for supervision. Along with
applying the content of the other counseling courses, topics include
professional and ethical issues. Not available to M.Div. or M.A.R.
students.
Spring semester, two hours. Mr. Winston Smith and staff.
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