Detailed Information for Patricia Andersen

Contact Information

My Websites

Interests

Career Counseling and Development

Counseling Theory

Counseling Skills

Psychology of Women/Gender Psychology

Diversity Issues

Training therapists

Midwestern State University

Gordon T. & Ellen West College of Education

COUN  5283                                            TITLE: Advanced Counseling Skills

Professor:  Dr. Pat Andersen                    Office:  FE 106

Work phone:  237-4311                            Home phone: 766-2438

e-mail:   patricia.Andersen@mwsu.edu

I.          COURSE DESCRIPTION

            The application of theoretical concepts and related techniques needed for skillful practice.

II.        TEXTBOOKS  

Based on your guiding orientation, choose at least one book written by a major theorist for a specific counseling theory. The books you choose to read must be approved by Dr. Andersen

III.       COURSE OBJECTIVES AND LEARNER OUTCOMES 

A. Goal:

1. Counselors demonstrate knowledge describing individual human dynamics.

Objective: Students will be able to articulate the major concepts of recognized theories to their colleagues and to clients.

Corollary: Students will be able to define theoretical terms for professional use, including the state and national certification and licensing exams. 

2.  Students will be able to apply theoretical concepts with case conceptualizations that describe client dynamics and appropriate interventions to encourage change.

 Corollary: Students will keep notes of counseling sessions using the DAP system.

3. Students will be able to apply ethical standards to counseling interactions and to professional relationships.

B. Goal:

1. Counselors demonstrate professional skills promoting healing relationships where

    clients gain a sense of personal worth and self-efficacy in managing their reactions

    to life’s struggles.    

 Objectives: Students will learn to consistently evaluate the impact of the                counselor’s presence and interventions on the client’s progress as well as the movement of the counseling relationship.

2. Students will be able to consider the appropriateness, timing, and the impact of specific

counselor techniques used in counseling sessions. Considerations will include planning possible techniques prior to the next client meeting; using a technique in the moment in counseling session; and evaluating the impact of using a technique during a previous counseling session. 

3. Students will offer feedback for their colleague’s counseling work in a constructive way.  Processing the experience of a counseling relationship includes personal reactions and may raise emotions from other significant  relationships or feelings about competencies, self worth and meaningful values. STUDENT  COUNSELORS WILL ADHERE TO STRICT CONFIDENTIALITY STANDARDS regarding the personal information revealed by clients and colleagues.

C. Goal:

1.Students will clearly articulate their personal/professional theoretical orientation.

Objective:  Students will read chosen theories in the original books written by

 authors adhering to a specific set of concepts designed to create client change through counseling. 

Objective:  Students will present cases to peers articulating case

conceptualizations according to chosen theoretical orientation.

Objective: Students will write a professional paper articulating their chosen

theory or combination of theories and will demonstrate use of specific techniques through case examples.

IV.       EVALUATION

Class Participation/Contribution                                                     required to pass          

Sharing insights regarding theoretical concepts.

Sharing thoughts and reactions regarding your own theoretical orientation and experiences in taped counseling sessions. Offering appropriate feedback regarding theoretical discussions and counseling sessions in ways that are helpful to colleagues.                        

Written Guiding Theoretical Orientation/Case Conceptualization          50%

A paper describing the theoretical orientation that guides your work with clients, including major philosophical beliefs and concepts of client change. Examples of client dynamics and counseling interactions are required. A rubric will be provided.

Client Session Tape: required for faculty review prior to Practicum            50%

Attendance Policy

Receiving supervision and feedback from colleagues is a necessary part of professional growth throughout a counselor’s career. Therefore attendance in class and for therapy sessions is mandatory. The following actions will be taken when an absence occurs:                                                            One absence excused;

                                                 Two excused absence:  grade lowered

 Three excused absences: drop course

                                                 One unexcused absences, grade lowered

                                                 Two unexcused absences, drop course

V. PROPOSED CLASS FORMAT

After the first few weeks of class, students will begin seeing clients. Students will come to class in time to attend their own counseling appointments and to observe at least one other counseling session. Students will take notes for their own sessions and for observed sessions. Appointments will be scheduled at 4, 5, 6 pm.

At 7 pm each week, the class will meet as a whole. Students will offer feedback to each other regarding counseling interventions and client conceptualizations. Students will also present ideas and techniques learned in their separate readings of theory.

PROPOSED CALENDAR

August 30                               Review Syllabus, Class Format

Thursday                              

September 13                         Role-plays

September 20                         Role-plays                             

September 27

October4                                Start with “real” volunteer clients

                                                Seminar facilitator:

October 11                             Clients

                                                Seminar facilitator:

October 18                             Clients

                                                                Seminar facilitator:

October 25                             Clients                                   

                                                                Seminar facilitator:

November 1                           Clients

                                                Seminar facilitator:

November 8                           Clients

                                                Seminar facilitator:

November 15                         Clients

                                                                Seminar facilitator:

November 22:                                    THANKSGIVING BREAK

November29                          Clients                                   

                                                                Seminar facilitator:

December 6                            Clients                       

                                      Seminar facilitator:

                                       PAPER DUE

TAPES DUE

Volunteer Clients for Developmental Counseling

Developmental counseling involves a client meeting with a counselor to process normal issues that are considered typical of the psychological experience of most people. Developmental issues include the feelings we all experience growing up, family dynamics, identity issues, career concerns, and struggles with problems that we have to resolve to live the life we want to live.

Graduate students who are in training for earning a license as a professional counselor see clients in the clinic in the basement of Ferguson Hall. Counseling rooms are equipped with cameras that record counseling sessions so the students can review tapes and analyze their counseling interactions.

Students can volunteer to see a counselor for as many sessions as they like, though usually clients see a counselor for 3-5 sessions.   

Sign up for Counseling with a graduate student

Name:________________________________________________________

Telephone #:__________________________________________________

e-mail address that you check daily:______________________________

Counseling sessions will be held on Thursday evenings between 4 and 7 pm.  If you are unable to come on these evenings, every effort will be made to place you with a counselor at another time. Please respond to phone calls or e-mails asap or we will call someone else.

Please choose the best time for you of the times listed below:

Thursday 4:00______________________________________________

Thursday 5:00______________________________________________

Thursday 6:00_______________________________________________

Another day: (please specify day and time)_________________________

_____________________________________________________________