Gerontology Counseling I

Masters Degree in Gerontology Counseling Psychology

GRC 580

Breyer State University
Instructor: Juan Kenigstein, PH.D, M.ED., GC-C

SYLLABUS

COURSE OVERVIEW: Welcome to Gerontology Counseling I, a Master Level course in the curriculum for the Degree, Master of Science in Gerontology Counseling Psychology. I'm pleased to offer you this course. This is an exciting course. This course will provide the basic teaching communication skills and the provision of basic information regarding the older adult. In this course you will learn a step-by-step progression of understanding and practice that will help you develop the interpersonal skills necessary to provide aid and comfort to the older adult.

TIME FRAME: This is a four-semester hour course. This course is allotted ten weeks of time. You must complete all of the requirements for the course successfully by the end of the ten-week period. The first day of week one will begin the day that you register for the course, or the day which you notify me that your text book(s) have arrived and you are ready to begin your studies. Please be cognizant of the time frame. It is rare that extensions of time are permitted, unless you have good justification. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be awarded four semester hours of credit. Students may accelerate, but may not complete this course in less than four weeks.

TEXTBOOK: There is one (1) required textbook for this course.

Book 1: Counseling The Older Adults: A Training Manual in Clinical Gerontology, Patricia Alpaugh McDonald and Margaret Haney, Josey Bass Publishers, 2 nd Edition, 1998: ISBN # 0-7879-3941-2.

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

GRADING COMPOSITION:

Research Report                         20%
20 Activities                                40%
Self evaluation                             5%
Discovery & Intention Statement    5%
Creative Project                          10%
Reading Assignments (20)            20%

TOTAL 100%

GOALS: By developing the qualities of empathy, respect, and genuineness, you will be able to form the type of relationship that is instrumental in achieving your counseling goals. This course will help you understand the physical, psychological and environmental issues that help shape the older individual's worldview.

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.

METHODS: Readings from textbook, professional books and journals Self-awareness/exploration activities

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

1). Understand the Client.
2). Establish rapport with the client.
3). Define the problem of the client.
4). Set goals with the client.
5). Clarify issues.
6). Have listening alternatives.
7). Explore alternatives.
8). Reach a conclusion.
9). Provide closure with the client.
10). Have an understanding of the most prevalent psychological disorders in older adults.
11). Have the knowledge in adjustment reactions, alcohol and substance abuse and Jung's theories of development.
11). Know how to implement and develop peer counselor services in the community

COURSE OUTLINE:

Part I: The Basic Model

1). Attending to Feelings.
2). Attending to Content and Feelings.
3). Understanding Nonverbal Communication.
4). Understanding Counselor Responses.
5). Responding to your client.
6). Introducing the Nine-Step Counseling Model.
7). Setting Counseling Goals.
8). Exploring Alternatives.
9). Providing Closure.
10). Practicum.

Part II: Beyond the Basics

1). Affective Disorders.
2). Depression: Alternative Interventions.
3). Case Studies on Depression.
4). Case Studies on Adjustment Reactions.
5). The problem of Addiction.
6). Alcoholism: A Family Disease.
7). Jung and Clinical Gerontology.

Part III: Training, Supervising, and Implementing Programs: A Manual for Trainers

1). General Introduction to the Program.
2). Introduction to Using Training Materials.
3). Supervision Model.
4). Providing Mental Health Services in the Community.

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