About Counseling

The Master in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling program provides knowledge, skill-building and supervised field experience to work as a marriage, couple and family counselor in a variety of clinical settings. The focus of the MCFC program is to prepare students with a strong understanding of marriage, couple and family counseling theory and therapy. Beyond the counseling core courses, students enroll in specialty courses in marriage, couple and family counseling with a focus on systems theory and research, human sexuality and couple and family counseling interventions. Upon graduation, MCFC students are prepared to make an application for both the Licensed Professional Counselor credential and the Associate Marriage and Family Therapy credential in the State of Idaho.

60 Required Credits

COUN6511 – The Profession of Counseling (2 credits)

Summarizes the profession of counseling, its history, the value of professional organizations, professional referral agencies, and resources and exposes the student to requirements and procedures for certification and licensure. The class is a basic course in professionalism that must be taken during the first year in the program.

COUN6512 – Ethical and Legal Issues (3 credits)

Current legal and ethical concerns in professional counseling. Ethical theory and decision-making processes and legal aspects of client-counselor relationships are covered, including ethical issues in working with diverse populations. This class is to be taken during the first year in the program.

COUN6515 – Multicultural Counseling and Societal Issues (3 credits)

An examination of philosophical assumptions of multiculturalism. ethical considerations related to multiculturalism, strategies with diverse populations, and indigenous counseling approaches. The influence of gender, race, ethnicity, and other factors related to diverse populations on the counseling process and on the counselor. Students will learn ethical and cultural characteristics needed to sensitively and appropriately serve multicultural and diverse populations.

COUN6531 – The Learning Process and Lifespan Development (3 credits)

Students will examine theoretical constructs related to the development process and developmentally based behavior patterns across the age spectrum. The course will also examine accepted theories and current research in learning theory and behavior.

COUN6532 – Theories of Counseling (3 credits)

Critical analyses of selected classical and contemporary theories, including multicultural counseling theory and consultation with examination of the practical meaning of the theories for the counselor. Students will identify processes related to developing personal models of counseling. This course is to be taken during the first year of the program.

COUN6533 – Family Counseling Theories (2 credits)

This course is an introduction to the history and application of family systems counseling and the broad range of family theories that have been used within the tradition of family counseling. The students will be able to identify and understand assessment techniques, intervention strategies, and resources needed in order to support families as they look through the lens of theory. Unique family characteristics, such as ethnic and cultural considerations, will also be reviewed to highlight the diversity that exists within families.

COUN6534 – Career Development (3 credits)

This course is an introduction to the basic principles, theories, and practices of career counseling, with an emphasis on career choices over a life span, exposure to the methods used for assessment and delivery of career counseling services to individual, school, and organizational populations. Includes discussion of the relationship of career to other facets of development and wellness.

COUN6541 – Pre-Practicum: Basic Counseling Skills (3 credits)

Development of essential listening skills for counseling effectiveness to include principles and procedures of individual counseling. Students learn to apply effective interviewing and micro skills which include the use of required videotaped counseling interviews, role playing, and counseling process models. Earning a grade of B or better in this course is necessary in order for the student to enter Practicum in Counseling. Students are expected to take COUN6541 just prior to COUN7561. If one year has elapsed, video tapes will be required of the student. If two or more years elapse, the student must retake the entire course. May be repeated for credit.

COUN6542 – Group Counseling (3 credits)

Techniques of group procedures appropriately applied to decision-making, problem solving, and resolution of conflict. Theories, characteristics and group dynamics, interventions, stages, leadership styles, and roles relevant to group counseling will be discussed. This course is experiential in nature and students will be required to effectively facilitate and evaluate a group counseling experience from a particular theoretical orientation.

COUN6551 – Diagnosis and Treatment of Psychopathology (3 credits)

An introduction to clinical diagnostic criteria and related clinical treatment planning strategies utilized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual V in the assessment of mental and emotional disorders.

COUN6552 – Addictions Counseling (2 credits)

A detailed study identifying the history, classification, physiological and psychological effects associated with psychoactive substances. Additionally, assessment, diagnosis, treatment modalities, intervention and prevention, availability of resources, and obstacles of recovery will be discussed.

COUN7523 – Organization and Administration of Clinical and Family Services (2 credits)

This course develops in students a broad understanding of the contextual dimensions of clinical and marital, couple, and family counseling, including history of clinical counseling, fundamentals of clinical and marriage and family counseling, societal trends and treatment issues important in working with diverse family systems, streams of funding in clinical mental health, models of general principles of clinical intervention with individuals and family, legal dimensions, and the roles of clinical and marriage and family counselors.

COUN7529 – Human Sexuality (1 credits)

An overview of the biological, psychological, and relational aspects of human sexuality. Includes DSM-V sexuality diagnoses and treatment approaches for counseling clients with sexual problems. Attention is given to counseling couples with presenting problems of sexual dysfunctions.

COUN7537 – Research and Statistics (3 credits)

An introduction to research from a consumer’s point of view. Includes research literature design considerations including sampling, surveys, and statistical tests. Students must prepare an action research proposal as part of the course requirements. An introductory level course in statistics, designed to develop a basic understanding of descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The focus of the course is application of statistics for understanding research articles and the selection of appropriate statistical tools for field research and program evaluation.

COUN7538 – Family Education Experience (1 credits)

This course guides students through the process of assessing the need for family education programs, then designing, implementing, and evaluating family programs that will assist the student in supporting families throughout their life-cycle stages. Students will have the opportunity to participate in delivering family education material.

COUN7553 – Measurement and Assessment (3 credits)

This course encompasses the types, uses, and basic psychometrics involved in educational and personality testing and assessment. Validity, reliability, and program evaluation concepts are covered, and students are introduced to elementary statistical concepts important to interpreting and understanding test reviews.

COUN7561 – Practicum in Counseling (3 credits)

A course that combines supervision, class work, and the practical utilization and critique of individual and group counseling techniques learned in COUN6541. These will be demonstrated through field work, case conferences, and student videos. Course taught on a group supervision model. May be repeated for credit.

COUN7571 – Psychopharmacology (1 credits)

This is a required course for Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling majors. This course will develop student knowledge, skill, and self-awareness in psychopharmacology.

COUN7589 – Internship in Counseling (1-8 credits)

A distinctly defined, post practicum, supervised curricular experience intended to enable students to refine and enhance basic counseling skills, develop more advanced counseling interventions, and integrate professional knowledge and skills appropriate to initial professional placement. May be repeated for credit.

COUN7532 – MCFC Assessment, Conceptualization, and Treatment Planning (2 credits)

Students will acquire the knowledge to assess and conceptualize individual, couple, and family problems and functioning as they exist within the context of the client’s system. The systemic concepts and skills of assessment, case conceptualization, treatment planning, and case management will be explicated and practiced. The course includes strategies grounded on research in marriage, couple, and family counseling for evaluating counseling outcomes and emphasizes multicultural considerations in assessment and outcome evaluation.

COUN7534 – Clinical Issues in MCFC (2 credits)

Contemporary families experience a range of challenging characteristics and situations. This course provides information about the impact of these characteristics and situations on individuals, couples, and families. Additionally, best practices for counseling couples and families presenting with these issues will be outlined. The process of evidence-based practice will be addressed and applied and empirically supported treatments will be reviewed.

COUN7582 – Introduction to Trauma and Crisis Counseling (1 credits)

This course is the first step towards becoming a Trauma Informed Counselor, providing a strong foundation in attachment theory, childhood trauma and PTSD, as well as the impact of mass disaster, domestic violence, suicide, sexual assault, and vicarious trauma. Skill demonstrations, videos, and lectures will provide a strong introduction to specific interventions appropriate to this specialized area of counseling.

COUN7533 – Couple and Family Models and Interventions (2 credits)

Building on the concepts of case conceptualization and assessment, this course is an advanced study of systems and couple and family counseling theories and models. Emphasis will be on application, with theory-congruent techniques and interventions addressed and practiced.

COUN7507 – Introduction to Child-Centered Play Therapy (1 credits)

This course is an introduction to child-centered play therapy. The course will give an overview of the history and development of child-centered play therapy. It will present current techniques as well as the current research being done to demonstrate their relevance to the practice of play therapy with children and their families. The course will demonstrate the basic skills necessary to prepare a playroom and how to facilitate parent consultations. Students will be instructed how to structure a play session and approach issues from a child-centered play therapy perspective.

In the state of Idaho, school counselors do not need to be certified teachers. Thus, students from many different undergraduate majors elect to apply for school counseling admittance. The focus of the program is to prepare students to serve schools in rural communities. Beyond counseling core courses, the coursework specific to the SC track focuses on the components of the National Model, youth and child counseling skills and helping youth with special learning problems. Upon graduation, SC students are prepared to make an application for the Licensed Professional Counselor credential in the State of Idaho for the K-12 school counseling credential. They are also qualified for the Department of Education Pupil Personnel Services Certification.

60 Required Credits

COUN6511 – The Profession of Counseling (2 credits)

Summarizes the profession of counseling, its history, the value of professional organizations, professional referral agencies, and resources and exposes the student to requirements and procedures for certification and licensure. The class is a basic course in professionalism that must be taken during the first year in the program.

COUN6512 – Ethical and Legal Issues (3 credits)

Current legal and ethical concerns in professional counseling. Ethical theory and decision-making processes and legal aspects of client-counselor relationships are covered, including ethical issues in working with diverse populations. This class is to be taken during the first year in the program.

COUN6515 – Multicultural Counseling and Societal Issues (3 credits)

An examination of philosophical assumptions of multiculturalism. ethical considerations related to multiculturalism, strategies with diverse populations, and indigenous counseling approaches. The influence of gender, race, ethnicity, and other factors related to diverse populations on the counseling process and on the counselor. Students will learn ethical and cultural characteristics needed to sensitively and appropriately serve multicultural and diverse populations.

COUN6531 – The Learning Process and Lifespan Development (3 credits)

Students will examine theoretical constructs related to the development process and developmentally based behavior patterns across the age spectrum. The course will also examine accepted theories and current research in learning theory and behavior.

COUN6532 – Theories of Counseling (3 credits)

Critical analyses of selected classical and contemporary theories, including multicultural counseling theory and consultation with examination of the practical meaning of the theories for the counselor. Students will identify processes related to developing personal models of counseling. This course is to be taken during the first year of the program.

COUN6533 – Family Counseling Theories (2 credits)

This course is an introduction to the history and application of family systems counseling and the broad range of family theories that have been used within the tradition of family counseling. The students will be able to identify and understand assessment techniques, intervention strategies, and resources needed in order to support families as they look through the lens of theory. Unique family characteristics, such as ethnic and cultural considerations, will also be reviewed to highlight the diversity that exists within families.

COUN6534 – Career Development (3 credits)

This course is an introduction to the basic principles, theories, and practices of career counseling, with an emphasis on career choices over a life span, exposure to the methods used for assessment and delivery of career counseling services to individual, school, and organizational populations. Includes discussion of the relationship of career to other facets of development and wellness.

COUN6541 – Pre-Practicum: Basic Counseling Skills (3 credits)

Development of essential listening skills for counseling effectiveness to include principles and procedures of individual counseling. Students learn to apply effective interviewing and micro skills which include the use of required videotaped counseling interviews, role playing, and counseling process models. Earning a grade of B or better in this course is necessary in order for the student to enter Practicum in Counseling. Students are expected to take COUN6541 just prior to COUN7561. If one year has elapsed, video tapes will be required of the student. If two or more years elapse, the student must retake the entire course. May be repeated for credit.

COUN6542 – Group Counseling (3 credits)

Techniques of group procedures appropriately applied to decision-making, problem solving, and resolution of conflict. Theories, characteristics and group dynamics, interventions, stages, leadership styles, and roles relevant to group counseling will be discussed. This course is experiential in nature and students will be required to effectively facilitate and evaluate a group counseling experience from a particular theoretical orientation.

COUN6551 – Diagnosis and Treatment of Psychopathology (3 credits)

An introduction to clinical diagnostic criteria and related clinical treatment planning strategies utilized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual V in the assessment of mental and emotional disorders.

COUN6552 – Addictions Counseling (2 credits)

A detailed study identifying the history, classification, physiological and psychological effects associated with psychoactive substances. Additionally, assessment, diagnosis, treatment modalities, intervention and prevention, availability of resources, and obstacles of recovery will be discussed.

COUN7521 – School Counseling (2 credits)

The role of the school counselor, including the Idaho Model in elementary, middle, and secondary school counseling. Relationships with school personnel and students will be explored with an emphasis on professionalism in counseling.

COUN7524 – Organization of Comprehensive School Counseling Services (2 credits)

A study of strategies for planning and developing a systematic comprehensive school counseling program. Includes standard instruments used in counseling, computers, records and reports, organization and management, program evaluation, and referral agencies. The Idaho Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program Model will be utilized, as well as the American School Counselor Association National Model.

COUN7537 – Research and Statistics (3 credits)

An introduction to research from a consumer’s point of view. Includes research literature design considerations including sampling, surveys, and statistical tests. Students must prepare an action research proposal as part of the course requirements. An introductory level course in statistics, designed to develop a basic understanding of descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The focus of the course is application of statistics for understanding research articles and the selection of appropriate statistical tools for field research and program evaluation.

COUN7545 – Collaboration and Consultation in School Counseling (2 credits)

This course provides a descriptive approach to the study of challenges, resources, and experiences of exceptional children and their families in identifying and receiving comprehensive, collaborative, community based mental health services and supports at school, at home, and in their communities.

COUN7589 – Internship in Counseling (1-8 credits)

A distinctly defined, post practicum, supervised curricular experience intended to enable students to refine and enhance basic counseling skills, develop more advanced counseling interventions, and integrate professional knowledge and skills appropriate to initial professional placement. May be repeated for credit.

COUN7582 – Introduction to Trauma and Crisis Counseling (1 credits)

This course is the first step towards becoming a Trauma Informed Counselor, providing a strong foundation in attachment theory, childhood trauma and PTSD, as well as the impact of mass disaster, domestic violence, suicide, sexual assault, and vicarious trauma. Skill demonstrations, videos, and lectures will provide a strong introduction to specific interventions appropriate to this specialized area of counseling.

In addition to the required core courses, students have the opportunity to enroll in an emphasis area, similar to an undergraduate minor, in one of the following: 1) Play Therapy; 2) Trauma, Grief and Crisis; 3) Acceptance and Mindfulness Informed Therapies; 4) Addictions; 5) Viktor Frankl’s Logotherapy or 6) Primary Care Behavioral Health.

It’s through play that children are best able to form therapeutic alliances, express themselves, relate to others, learn new knowledge and skills, boost their egos, master stress and develop their sense of self. In order to promote the value of play, play therapy and credentialed play therapists, the Counselor Education Department at Northwest Nazarene University is increasing the availability of play therapy instruction, application and research in this specialized area.

This post-graduate play therapy pre-certification program aims to present a state-of-the-art academic rigor that will survey the latest advances and developments in the field, including the three main pillars of therapy: theory, research and practice. An experiential component throughout the emphasis will focus on basic play therapy skill development within the context of ethical and diversity-sensitive practice and supervised clinical applications will be gained through a structured lab component.

SEE PROGRAM OUTCOMES

NNU’s graduate counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which is a requirement for licensure in many states. NNU’s Adventure Play Therapy Center (Center) is an approved Center of Play Therapy Education by the Association for Play Therapy (APT).

Annual Reports for CACREP can be found here.

Notice Out-of-State Students

Since this program leads to professional licensure, prospective students should review important information about NNU’s participation in the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) and Professional Licensure about this program. Individual states often have different expectations for professional licensure, so it is in a prospective student’s best interest to investigate whether NNU’s degree program will help them achieve licensure in their home state.