Winter 2009
FSW – Phoenix
CN523
Retts

DESCRIPTION: This course is a continuation of Basic Counseling Skills. It assumes that participants have a working knowledge of the basic counseling model taught in the first course. It will focus on the application of those basic skills to specific counseling situations. Participants will best benefit from this course if they are actively involved in or anticipating involvement in "in depth" helping relationships. Areas of focus will be specific to the participant's needs, but will be challenged to examine and integrate their personal faith into the helping context.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) a better understanding of and an ability to interpret individual experience, family relationship patterns, culture, and congregational life; (2) skills in counseling individuals, families, and congregations; (3) the ability to more deeply empathize with people to whom they minister; (4) more motivation to engage in ministries of giving care, prevention education, and the healing of persons; and (5) more commitment to self-development and self-care.


RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Because many in our world have been damaged by abuse, addictions, destructive habits, and a lack of healthy relationships, the challenge of being genuinely helpful often seems overwhelming. For ministers, as well as laypersons, the desire to help will lead us into relationship with people whose problems are critical and sometimes chronic. Knowing how to help as well as when we cannot help is important. This course seeks to offer practical help to persons in this process.

COURSE FORMAT: Course will meet for ten sessions, for three hours each, for a total of 30 hours. This is a participation class. Participants will be asked to discuss, role-play, and practice skills which are being discussed. Outside reading will be required, but a workshop format will be maintained in class.

REQUIRED READING:  Required readings will be taken from a bibliography presented on the first day of class, and will be worked out individually with each student according to individual needs and interest areas.  Approximately 1,200 pages will be required.

ASSIGNMENTS: 
1. Attendance and class participation (30%)
2. Outside reading (20%)
3. One journal entry per week will be required, relating course work to actual experience (10%)
4. Students will be asked to write an integration paper (12-15 pages) reflecting (1) major learnings from class, (2) evaluation of personal strengths and weaknesses and (3) goals set based on course learnings. (40%)

PREREQUISITES: CN522 or Professor Approval.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: MDiv: MIN5; MAT: Elec.; MACL: Elec.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design and assignments but is subject to modification.