Counseling

This course involves an introduction to the study of abnormal behaviors in children, adolescents, and adults. The etiology, definition, prevalence rate, and morbidity of disorders in the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) are reviewed. The course will focus on an introduction to the science and art of clinical assessment as the foundation of practice in mental health settings and the use of assessment techniques in a professional and ethical manner. In part, adjustment disorders, V codes, and the ICD system will be studied. Students will primarily concentrate on serious mental disorders in the context of normal lifecycle transitions and review various methods of treatment related to the disorders covered. The course will make a concerted effort to apply the above to the "real world" of mental health professionals by examining treatment and assessment considerations.

This course includes studies that provide a broad understanding of the nature and needs of individuals at all levels of development: normal and abnormal behavior; personality theory; lifespan theory; and learning theory within cultural contexts. Appropriate strategies for facilitating development over the lifespan are also integrated into the course.

This course provides advanced training in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of serious psychopathology as depicted in the standard nomenclature of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and subsequent revisions/editions. Students will focus on the descriptions, etiology, and major diagnostic categories in order to effectively diagnose and develop appropriate treatment options. In addition, students will learn how to utilize the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and Clinical Modification System according to the latest version. Upon completing the course, students will have an understanding of the techniques practitioners use in the diagnosis and treatment of psychopathology.

This course will provide an in-depth review of the multifaceted aspects (historical, philosophical, societal, cultural, economic, political), professional identity (e.g., roles, functions), and practice issues (e.g., managed care, reimbursement, expert witness status) specific to Clinical Mental Health Counselors. The course also examines ethical and legal standards (ACA and AMHCA Code of Ethics), risk management, and professional credentialing according to the Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

This course will provide an introduction to the field of clinical mental health counseling according to clinical and professional issues. Specifically, students will examine treatment delivery systems and gain an understanding of the dynamic interplay of professionals within these systems. The course will also focus on program analysis via theory and empirical methods.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of group development, dynamics, and counseling theories. Students will explore various group leadership styles and examine both fundamental and advanced methods and techniques in group counseling. The course covers diverse approaches to conducting group sessions while emphasizing the importance of counselor self-evaluation, including ethical and legal considerations critical to professional practice in the counseling field.

Studies that provide a basic understanding of types of research are presented: basic statistics, research report development, and research implementation. Other areas studied include program evaluation, needs assessment, publication of research information, parametric and non-parametric statistics, quantitative and qualitative research designs, the use of computers for data management and analysis, including ethical and legal considerations pertinent to the professional counselor.

A broad understanding of group and individual educational and psychometric theories, ethical, and legal approaches to appraisal is the goal of this course; also examined are data and information gathering methods; validity and reliability; psychometric statistics; factors influencing appraisals; and use of appraisal results in helping processes. Also, the specific ability to select, administer and interpret tests and inventories to assess abilities, interests, and identify career options is considered.

This course provides theoretical and practical foundations for counseling couples and families. It explores contemporary approaches in family, couples, and marital counseling with an emphasis on systemic models of family functioning and therapeutic intervention. The course analyzes the impact of family systems on the individual and the importance of family support in the treatment of mental health disorders across the lifespan.

This course prepares students to understand leadership roles, professional identity, and the counselor’s responsibility to engage in advocacy and policy processes that promote client welfare and the counseling profession. Students will explore counseling administration, consultation, and supervision models, including ethical, legal, and multicultural considerations relevant to clinical practice and counselor development.

This course examines human sexual development and sexuality across the lifespan and its relationship to overall wellness, prevention, and counseling intervention. Emphasis is placed on the influence of cultural, historical, and contextual factors on sexual attitudes, beliefs, and help‑seeking behaviors. Students will develop culturally responsive counseling skills through ethical interviewing, assessment, case conceptualization, and introductory treatment planning for sexuality‑related concerns within professional counseling practice. 

This course will introduce students to the history, philosophy, and trends in addictions counseling. Students will examine prevalence rates, etiology, course, duration, and the diagnostic features of disorders within a biopsychosocial context and through use of the DSM. Additionally, multiple treatment modalities will be explored with regard to inpatient, outpatient, residential, and self-help strategies.

In this pre-practicum experience, the student is required to receive 15 hours of faculty instruction that will focus on writing a resume and cover letter, identifying possible clinical placement sites, interviewing at potential clinical sites, securing a site and signing a field agreement, purchasing liability insurance, clinical skills practice, and reviewing necessary paperwork for practicum and internship.

In this supervised field placement experience, the student is required to spend a minimum of 10 hours per week at the field placement site and to have a minimum of 40 direct contact (counseling) hours with clients, receive 10 hours of individual supervision, and receive 15 hours of group supervision during the academic term. During the practicum, the student will apply knowledge and skills learned throughout the curriculum in work with actual clients. This course is taken by students pursuing the Clinical Mental Health Counseling track and students pursuing the advanced training required to assess and treat serious problems as categorized in the standard diagnostic nomenclature in the state of South Carolina.

During this first internship experience, students are expected to perform the activities of a regularly employed clinical staff member. Students are required to spend a minimum of 20 hours per week at the field placement site, including a minimum of 90 direct service hours (minimum of 9 hours perweek) with clients and a minimum of 25 hours of supervision during the academic term (10 hours must be individual supervision and 15 hours group supervision).

During this second internship experience, the students are expected to perform the activities of  a regularly employed clinical staff member. Students are required to spend a minimum of 20 hours per week at the field placement site, including a minimum of 90 direct service hours (minimum of 9 hours per-week) with clients and a minimum of 25 hours of supervision during the academic term (10 hours must be individual supervision and 15 hours group supervision).

During this third internship experience, student are expected to perform the activities of a regularly employed clinical staff member. Students are required to spend a minimum of 20 hours per week at the field placement site, including a minimum of 90 direct service hours (minimum of 9 hours per-week) with clients and a minimum of 25 hours of supervision during the academic term (10 hours must be individual supervision and 15 hours group supervision).

This course involves an in-depth analysis of abnormal behaviors in children and adolescents. The etiology, definition, prevalence rate, and morbidity of disorders in the most recent edition of the DSM are reviewed. The course will focus on an introduction to the science and art of clinical assessment as the foundation of practice in mental health settings and the use of assessment techniques in a professional and ethical manner, toward the implementation of treatment. Students will primarily concentrate on mental health diagnoses in the context of normal lifecycle transitions and review various methods of evidence-based treatment related to the disorders covered. The course will make a concerted effort to apply the above to the "real world" of mental health professionals by examining treatment and assessment considerations with children and adolescents.

This course will provide a theoretical and practical understanding of biopsychosocial factors involved in crisis and trauma counseling. It will examine the personal and systemic impact of crises, disasters, and other trauma-causing events on individuals, couples, families, and communities across the lifespan. In addition, the course will provide advanced training in the role distinctions of counselors participating in interprofessional teams, trauma- informed and evidence-based therapeutic interventions, and clinical skills related to suicide risk assessment and safety planning. 

This  comprehensive examination is a graduation requirement designed to serve as the formal  assessment of the knowledge and skills obtained/achieved by a student, to date, in the program. The bodies of knowledge include (yet are not limited to) Human Growth and Development, Social and Cultural Foundations, Helping Relationships, Group Work, Career and Lifestyle Development, Appraisal, Research and Program Evaluation, and Professional Orientation and Ethics. The examination is comprised of a multiple-choice test . Students must be in active status as defined by South University to enroll and sit for the exam.