Marriage, Family, and Couples Counseling
Course Description
Summary
This course explores systemic approaches to counseling couples and families. Students will learn about major theories such as family systems, attachment, and emotion-focused therapy. Topics include communication patterns, conflict resolution, and working with diverse family structures. Emphasis is placed on developing skills for counseling couples and families in various life stages and contexts.
*Students in CMHC-EXAT must infuse expressive arts therapies into their coursework. This course may be used to satisfy "Advanced Topics in Expressive Arts Therapy."
*Students in CMHC-NT must infuse narrative therapy into their coursework, This course may be used to satisfy "Advanced Narrative Therapy Techniques" OR "Narrative Therapy Techniques with Specific Populations."
CMHC-SOGE must infuse their coursework with Sexual Orientation/Gender Expression specific topics into their coursework. This course may be used to satisfy "Advanced LBGTQIA+ Counseling Techniques."
Learning Outcomes
- Apply systemic theories, such as family systems theory, attachment theory, and emotion-focused therapy, to understand dynamics within couples and families.
- Assess communication patterns, conflict resolution strategies, and relationship dynamics in diverse family structures.
- Develop skills in counseling couples and families through life stages, including family transitions, crises, and developmental issues, integrating multicultural perspectives into marriage and family counseling, considering cultural, gender, and socioeconomic factors.
Prerequisites
Enrollment in graduate CMHC program.