GRF 650 - Counseling Theories and Techniques

COUNSELING THEORIES AND TECHNIQUES

Masters Degree in Grief Counseling & Thanatology

GRF 650

Breyer State University
Instructor: Thomas Fish, Ph.D, MA, MFA

SYLLABUS

COURSE OVERVIEW: To prepare you in graduate level counseling and psychology curriculums to thoroughly understand the dynamics of grief, death, dying, and bereavement to the extent that this knowledge can be applied in practical situations with clients engaged in the therapeutic process. Upon completion of this course, you will have the understanding to effectively work with grieving clients and to provide these clients with therapy as well as with educational and support resources.

TIME FRAME: This is a five-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 textbook has 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 five semester hours of credit.

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

Book 1: On Death and Dying. By Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. Collier Books; 1997. Paperback Version is okay. ISBN # 0684839385.

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METHODS: The means and methods applicable to this course are as follows:

1). Assigned readings and lectures.
2). Successful completion of short essay tests on the reading materials.
3). Successful completion and submission of one research paper.
4). E-mail correspondence, chat, and verbal discussions.
5). Successful completion of a website resource project.

WEEKLY READING AND ESSAY OUTLINE:

Weeks 1 and 2: Read chapters one and two of the text, skim the remainder of the book to get a feel for its general direction, and write a 1 page essay in response to the question the author poses: "What happens to a man in society bent on ignoring or avoiding death?"

Week 3: Read chapter 3 on Denial and Isolation and write a 2 page essay in response to the following: "According to the author and from possibly your own experience, discuss the process an individual might go through immediately upon hearing that he or she has a terminal illness with a prognosis of 6 months to live."

Week 4: Read chapter 4 on Anger and write a 1 page essay in response to the following: "In the grief process discussed in the text, is anger a necessary step in the progression toward acceptance? Or is it a diversion that can be avoided through therapeutic or other means?"

Week 5: Read chapters 5 and 6, paying special attention to the dialogue, and write a 2 page essay in response to the following: "According to the author, (a) what is the only way an individual can successfully work through the bargaining stage of the grief process, and (b) what happens when an individual can no longer 'smile off' the tragedies and traumas that are becoming a part of his or her diminishing life?"

Week 6: Read chapter 7 and write a 1 page essay in response to the following: "According to the author, is it more likely that the stage of Acceptance is one of happiness and comfort or one in which there is a void of feelings?"

Week 7: In a 1 page essay, discuss the role of HOPE as part of the grief process discussed in the book.

Week 8: RESEARCH PAPER DUE.

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES:

Week 4: Read chapter 4 on Anger and write a 1 page essay in response to the following: "In the death and dying process discussed in the text, is anger a necessary step in the progression toward acceptance? Or is it a diversion that can be avoided through therapeutic or other means?"

Week 5: Read chapters 5 and 6, paying special attention to the dialogue, and write a 2 page essay in response to the following: "According to the author, (a) what is the only way an individual can successfully work through the bargaining stage of the process, and (b) what happens when an individual can no longer 'smile off' the tragedies and traumas that are becoming a part of his or her diminishing life?"

Week 7: In a 1 page essay, discuss the role of HOPE as part of the process discussed in the book.

Week 8: RESEARCH PAPER TWO DUE.

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

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

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 regristration, 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.

INFORMATION: If you have any questions regarding this program, you may address them to adm@breyerstate.com. An administrative faculty member will respond to all questions.

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