Biological Bases of Experience
Course Description
Summary
This course examines the biological underpinnings of human experience and behavior with direct application to counseling practice. Students will explore the structure and function of the nervous system, endocrine system, and related physiological processes that contribute to mental health and mental illness. Emphasis is placed on understanding the biological mechanisms of stress, mood regulation, anxiety, trauma, addiction, and psychosis, as well as how these processes interact with psychosocial factors. By integrating peer-reviewed findings from neuroscience, psychophysiology, and behavioral medicine, the course prepares counseling students to apply biopsychosocial perspectives in assessment, treatment planning, and client psychoeducation.
Learning Outcomes
- Evaluate the interaction between biological predispositions and environmental, social, and cultural factors—such as poverty, oppression, and cultural expectations—in shaping stress responses, mood regulation, and mental health outcomes.
- Identify and apply evidence-informed, non-pharmacological interventions grounded in neurobiological principles (e.g., regulation strategies, relational safety, somatic practices).
- Evaluate how contemporary neuroscience research on neuroplasticity, epigenetics, and brain development has refined or challenged earlier psychological theories.