PSYC 3790 I Fall 2010, TR 12:30-1:45 p.m., Room C212 Instructor ...

PSYC 3790 INTRODUCTION TO COUNSELING THEORY
Fall 2010, TR 12:30-1:45 p.m., Room C212
Instructor: Kurt D. Baker, Ph.D. Office: C236 Phone: (209) 664-6681
Email: kbaker@csustan.edu Office Hours: Th 9:00-11:30,
W eb: psyc.csustan.edu/kbaker and by appointment
Prerequisites: [PSYC 3320 Introduction to Personality.]
Text: Corey, Gerald. (2009). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole (ISBN:
9780495102083). (See my web page for a link to the textbook website.)
Brief Course Description: This course is designed to introduce the student to major theories of counseling and
psychotherapy. It will include examination of personal and ethical issues in addition to theoretical approaches to treatment.
You will gain exposure to the major orientations to psychotherapy, as well as general components of psychological
treatment. Due to the nature of the course material, this class will emphasize discussion and exploration of concepts and
ideas related to counseling and psychotherapy, rather than present facts to be memorized.
Objectives
The goals of this course are to help students:
1. Comprehend the foundations of counseling and psychotherapy, including philosophical and theoretical factors involved in
defining and providing therapy, dimensions related to the effectiveness of psychotherapy, and features of an empirical
orientation to the field.
2. Gain an understanding of ethical issues in providing therapy and develop a personal commitment to ethical behavior.
3. Develop critical thinking and conceptualization skills in understanding psychological methods of change.
4. Acquire knowledge of specific orientations to counseling and psychotherapy.
5. Develop self-awareness related to your potential for becoming a therapist.
Evaluation
Exams: Three exams (see schedule for dates), each worth 100 points, will cover book chapters and material presented in
class. Each exam will include 80 points of multiple choice items and 20 points of short answer essay items. The essay
portion of the final will include at least one comprehensive question. You will need a Scantron 886-E for each exam.
Homework Assignments. Periodically, I will give you assignments pertaining to a specific topic in the course. These assignments
are to encourage your interaction with course material and to strengthen your writing skills. You are to thoughtfully
complete the assignment in a well-written manner and return it by the due date specified when it is assigned. More details will
be provided as each assignment is given. Homework assignments will total 50 points.
Term Paper Option A: Professional Interview Assignment. You should identify a professional to interview who is practicing in the
area you are interested in pursuing as a career. You will develop a set of questions that address issues related to the theory
and practice of counseling to ask during the interview. Following the interview, you will complete a write-up on the
experience. More information will be provided. You can earn up to 100 points on this assignment.
Term Paper Option B: Theoretical Position Paper. You are to write a paper that explicates your preferences in theoretical
approaches to psychotherapy. You should articulate your preferred stance in the delivery of counseling and psychotherapy
and express why you hold this position. More information about the formulation and writing of this paper will be provided
as the course progresses. This paper will earn you up to 100 points.
Grading. There will be a total of 450 points possible. Grades will be assigned as follows: 418.5-450 = A, 405-418 = A-, 391.5-
404 = B+, 373.5-391 = B, 360-373 = B-, 346.5-359 = C+, 328.5-346 = C, 315-328 = C-, 301.5-314 = D+, 283.5-301 = D,
270-283 = D-, < 270 = F. Taking the course “credit/no credit” must be in compliance with university policy.
Academic Honesty Policy: You are expected to do your own work and be honest on all assignments, exams, and even class
comments. Enabling other students to cheat is also dishonest. If there is a question regarding collaboration on assignments,
please see me.

Additional Information
Although you are not required to attend, you are expected to do so. Class discussion and participation are important.
Consistent attendance and participation will improve your grade if you are close to the cutoff. You will be responsible for all
information and material presented in class, such as lecture and discussion material, announcements regarding scheduling
changes, etc. Please arrive to class on time and avoid leaving early.
No exams may be made up or taken early, except in extenuating circumstances backed up by acceptable documentation. If
you do encounter extenuating circumstances, you must contact me immediately to notify me of your situation. Failure to do
so will result in the lost opportunity for make up. Assignments are due at the beginning of class. Late assignments will lose
points at a rate of 10% per day. A limited number of extra credit points may be earned. If you become interested in extra
credit, see me.
2010 Tentative Class Schedule
W eek Date Topic Readings
1 8 /24/10 Introduction to Class [& crisis intervention] --
8/26/10 Introduction to Counseling and Psychotherapy 1
2 8/31/10 Counseling & Psychotherapy Additional Reading
9/2/10 Therapist: Person and Professional 2
3 9/7/10 “ “
9/9/10 Ethics 3
4 9/14/10 “ “
9/16/10 Psychoanalytic Therapy 4
5 9/21/10 “ “
9/23/10 Existential Therapy 6
6 9/28/10 “
9/30/10 Exam 1 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, Add’l Reading
7 10/5/10 Person Centered Therapy 7
10/7/10 “ “
8 10/12/10 Gestalt Therapy 8
10/14/10 “
9 10/19/10 Cognitive Therapy 10
10/21/10 “ “
10 10/26/10 Reality Therapy 11
10/28/10 “ “
11 11/2/10 Exam 2 7, 8, 10, 11
11/4/10 Feminist Therapy 12
12 11/9/10 “ “
11/11/10 Veterans Day - NO CLASS –
13 11/16/10 Postmodern Approaches 13
11/18/10 — Class Canceled —
14 11/23/10 Postmodern Approaches (cont) “
11/25/10 Thanksgiving Break - NO CLASS –
15 11/30/10 Family Systems Therapy 14
12/2/10 “ “
16 12/7/10 Psychotherapy Integration & Effectiveness 15
12/9/10 “ Additional Reading
--- 12/16/10 Final Exam 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. 12-15, Additional Reading
*** The schedule and procedures of this course are subject to change ***