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EXAMINATIONS: There are no examinations for this course; grades are based on completion of assignments and activities.

GRADING: The grading scale for this course is as follows:

90-100%    = A
80-89%      = B
70-79%      = C
Below 70% = Fail

EVALUATION AND GRADING COMPOSITION: You will receive periodic feedback concerning your performance as a chemical dependency counselor. The feedback will be specific with recommendations for improvement in needed areas. You should know at all times how you stands in the course in terms of the quality of your work. As far as possible, specific performance criteria will be presented. However, the very nature of counseling is subjective, and even though many specific competencies will be demonstrated, the overall performance requires a subjective judgment as to the appropriateness, timing, and intensity. Therefore, a judgment by me as to the quality of the your performance will be necessary.

Grades will also be determined according to your performance on the rest of the requirements listed for this course. The grading system will be based on the following requirements. You are responsible for maintaining a well-organized system for filing logs, critiques, interview reports, documentation for each counseling session, and evaluations.

5 Videotapes 25%
Portfolio 25%
Self evaluation 10%
Discovery & Intention Statement 10%
Notebook 10%
Practicum Performance 20% (Hours/Activities/Professionalism/Commitment, etc)

TOTAL 100%

GOALS: The aim of education about counseling the chemically dependent is for you to develop the proper knowledge and skills you will need to deal with your clients.

METHODS:

1). Readings from textbook, professional books and journals.
2). Self-awareness/exploration activities.
3). Counseling interviews with older adults in other supervised settings.
4). Analysis of the records including videotapes of the counseling sessions and related activities.
5). Analysis of counseling sessions by other counselors based on observation and monitoring.
6). Discussion of cases and counseling topics based on interviews, readings, and other counseling resources.
7). Written case notes of counseling sessions.
8). Discussion of counseling topics and their relevance to counseling practice.
9). Development of professional portfolio.

COMMUNICATION: You are encouraged to communicate with me. I am available as a teacher, coach, and mentor to assist you in meeting your goals for this course. Primarily, communication is through email. However, I am also available for conversation by telephone if you would like. Our classroom for this course has a "chat" room. I am also very willing to meet with you one-on-one in the chat room at your request. From time to time, depending on how many students are enrolled in this course at a particular time, we will have some scheduled group chats. You will receive more detailed information at the time such chat sessions are scheduled. Please keep my email address handy so that you can contact me whenever necessary. Upon registration, you will receive my email address. If at any time during this course you change your email address, please be sure to notify me right away.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

1). Development and improvement of counseling skills.
2). Opportunity for application and integration of counseling skills and information.
3). Development of greater sensitivity to the dynamics of the counseling process.
4). Opportunity to relate the various counseling theories, methods, and techniques to counseling practice.
5). Development of a basis of self-evaluation of one's counseling.
6). Development and improvement of counseling and guidance skills used in areas such as group counseling, marriage and family counseling and individual counseling.
7). Opportunity to relate professional ethical standards and legal issues to counseling practice.
8). Opportunity to discuss in-depth trends and issues affecting the counseling profession.
9). Opportunity to evaluate strengths and weaknesses related to interpersonal and counseling skills.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: A study of selected counseling theories and supervised experience in individual counseling. This course will also review counseling methods and techniques and their application in various counseling situations.