Client Interviewing & Assessment

Bachelors of Science in Counseling Psychology

PSY 261

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

SYLLABUS

COURSE OVERVIEW: Welcome to Client Interviewing & Assessment. 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 vital course for the remainder of your studies in the bachelor program.

This is an exciting course, as it is your introduction to interviewing and assessing clients whether your program emphasis is in either Chemical Dependency Counseling or Mental Health Counseling. This course will provide you with a broad exposure to interviewing techniques with emphasis on understanding the client’s point of view and a greater grasp on how to see assess the client in the context of developing a therapeutic alliance.

I know that as you take the time to learn as much as you can about this topic, it will serve you well as you contemplate providing counseling services to future clients.

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.

Book 1: Diagnosis Made Easier: Principles and Techniques for Mental Health Clinicians By James Morrison. New York, NY: The Guilford Press: 2006. ISBN10: 1593853319.

Book 2: Motivational Interviewing: Preparing People for Change  (2nd ed.). By William R. Miller & Stephen Rollnick. New York, NY: The Guilford Press: 2002. ISBN-10: 1572305630.

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EXAMINATIONS: There are two examinations for this course.  The tests are made up of between 58 and 60 multiple choice and true/false questions.  To keep you on target we recommend you hold this schedule.

The mid-term exam covers the Morrison book and should be completed by the end of the 5th week.

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

Both exams are programmed and are located in the classroom for this course.  I will setup the program so you will have access to the test when you are ready.  Please contact me prior to the time you take the first test so I can give you specific instructions and ensure that the test is ready for you.

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.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: There are no written assignments for this course. There is a considerable amount of reading involved in this course, and I would prefer you spend your time with the book learning the material.

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). Gain a greater understanding in the interviewing and assessment process.
2). Gain a firmer background in how a counseling gains a greater understanding of the nature of their client’s concerns and how to better provide counseling services that will be both meaningful and effective in helping them
3). Better understand the application of the DSM assessment manual and to gain an understanding of Motivational Interviewing.

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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