Overview
This course examines the basic tenets and therapeutic processes that characterize various theoretical approaches to counselling/psychotherapy. The models are clustered according to the four major forces in psychology: Psychodynamic (Psychoanalytic, Adlerian); Behavioural and Cognitive-Behavioural (Behavioural, Cognitive-Behavioural, Reality); Humanistic (Existential, Person-Centred, Gestalt); and Contextual/Systemic (Feminist, Family Systems, Multicultural). Emphasis is placed on critical analysis of the various approaches as well as self-reflection in relation to values, beliefs, assumptions about human nature, and worldview.
Outline
Section I: Basic Issues in Counselling Practice
- Unit 1: Introduction and Overview
- Unit 2: The Counsellor: Person and Professional
Section II: First Force: Psychodynamic Theories and Techniques
- Unit 3: Psychoanalytic Theory
- Unit 4: Adlerian Theory
Section III: Second Force: Behavioural and Cognitive-Behavioural Theories and Techniques
- Unit 5: Behavioural Theory
- Unit 6: Cognitive-Behavioural Theory
- Unit 7: Control Theory/Reality Therapy
Section IV: Third Force: Humanistic Theories and Techniques
- Unit 8: Existential Theory
- Unit 9: Person-centred Theory
- Unit 10: Gestalt Theory
Section V: Fourth Force: Contextual and Systemic Theories and Techniques
- Unit 11: Feminist Theory
- Unit 12: Family Systems Theory
- Unit 13: Multicultural Theory
Section VI: Integration and Application
- Unit 14: An Integrative Perspective
Evaluation
To receive credit for PSYC 406, you must satisfactorily complete the midterm assessment and final exam, submit all the course assignments, and participate in the social networking activity. You must achieve a grade of 50 percent or better on the final exam and a course composite grade of 50 percent or better. The passing grade for the course is D (50 percent). The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Mid-term Assessment | 25% |
| Case Study | 25% |
| Social Networking Activity | 5% |
| Personal Reflection Paper | 15% |
| Final Exam | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Corey, G. (2013). Case approach to counseling and psychotherapy. (8th ed.). Scarborough, ON: Brooks/Cole.
Physical course materials
The following course materials are included in a course package that will be shipped to your home prior to your course’s start date:
Corey, G. (2011). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. (7th ed.). Scarborough, ON: Brooks/Cole.
Corey, G. (2009). Student manual for theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. (7th ed.). Scarborough, ON: Brooks/Cole.
Other Materials
All other materials can be accessed online via the course website.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the PSYC 406 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the final exam and a composite grade of D (50 percent).
| Activity | Weight |
| Case study Paper | 30% |
| Exam | 70% |
| Total | 100% |
Challenge for credit course registration form