INTRODUCTION TO COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY

Bachelors of Science in Counseling Psychology

PSY 214

Breyer State University
Professor: Thomas Schear, Ph.D.

SYLLABUS

COURSE OVERVIEW: Welcome to Introduction to Counseling Psychology. a Bachelor Level course in the curriculum for the Degree, Bachelor of Counseling Psychology. I am pleased to instruct you in this course, which will be a fundamental course for the remainder of your studies in the bachelor program.

This is an exciting course, as it is your introduction to the study of counseling. It will give you the opportunity be begin to gain greater knowledge of mental health counseling in general with additional exposure to chemical dependency counseling. Even if this is not your emphasis in this program, you will find that many of your clients will have such problems. This course will provide you with a broad exposure to counseling in general and then in your chosen area of emphasis.

I know that as you take the time to learn as much as you can about this topic it will serve you well as the first “real” counseling course in the Counseling Psychology program.

TIME FRAME: This is a six-semester hour course. This course is allotted ten weeks of time. You must complete all the requirements for the course successfully by the end of the ten-week period. The first day of the week will begin the day that you register for the course, or the day you should 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 six semester hours or credit.

TEXTBOOK: There are two (2) textbooks required for this course.

The first text by John McLeod is intended to give you a general background in mental health counseling.

The second book emphasizes Chemical Dependency Counseling. Though your area of interest may be mental health counseling, you will find that many of your clients will have chemical dependency problems a well. Those students who are emphasizing chemical dependency counseling have and will continue to get exposure to coexisting mental health issues throughout this program.

Book 1: An Introduction To Counseling, 3rd ed. by John McLeod.  Berkshire, UK: Open University Press: 2003. ISBN # 0335211895.

Book 2: Chemical Dependency Counseling: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed. by Robert R. Perkinson. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications: 2007. ISBN # 9781412957007

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EXAMINATIONS: There are two examinations for this course.  The tests are made up of between 68 and 73 multiple-choice and true/false questions.  To keep you on target we recommend you hold to this schedule of test taking:

The first exam covers the McLeod book and should be completed by the end of the 5th week.

The second exam covers the Perkinson book and should be completed by the end of the 10th week.

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

91-100%    = A
81-90%      = B
71-80%      = C
Below 70% = Failed

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 e-mail. 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 that chat realm 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 schedule group chats. You'll receive more detailed information at the time such chat sessions are scheduled. Please keep my e-mail address handy so that you can contact me whenever necessary. If at any time during this course you change your e-mail address or other contact information please be sure to notify me right away.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: My name is Tom Schear. I have a BA, MA and Ph.D. in social work, MA in counseling, and have taken some additional graduate level courses in business and human services administration. Finally, I am an E-Myth trained business coach and a graduate of Coach University. I have worked at all levels of counseling agencies in Iowa and Montana, including front-line counselor, clinical director and executive director. I now live in the town where I grew up, working out of my home providing continuing education courses for helping professionals, teaching online courses for virtual universities including Breyer State University, Canyon College and EarthNet Institute, and provide both online and telephone-based counseling and personal and business coaching services. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, hunting and spending time with my wife, Kathy and adult children, Brian and Steven and dog, Solo.

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

1). Understand the basic theories, concepts and application of counseling.
2). Understand the how the general concepts of counseling apply to either mental health or chemical dependency counseling.

ASSIGNMENTS: For specific assignments, please click on the link “Assignments”.

INFORMATION: If you have any questions regarding this program, you may contact the instructor at tschear@ccmsinc.net.

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