College: Graduate School of Social Sciences

This specialization prepares students to work in the field of family counseling, focusing on family systems theories, counseling techniques, assessment methods, ethical practices, and multicultural issues. Students develop practical counseling skills and theoretical knowledge to support families dealing with personal, relational, and systemic challenges. Graduates are prepared for roles in family therapy clinics, community agencies, schools, and private practice.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the basics of family systems theories and counseling techniques.
• Develop skills in family assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
• Learn individual, couples, and family counseling techniques, crisis intervention, and conflict resolution.
• Explore ethical practices, multicultural issues, and industry standards in family counseling.
• Analyze challenges and opportunities in family dynamics and mental health settings.
• Develop empathy, communication, and problem-solving skills for effective family interventions.

Main Curriculum:

1. Introduction to Family Counseling
   • Overview of key concepts and industry trends in family counseling.
   • Basics of family systems theories and counseling ethics.
2. Family Systems Theories
   • Main family systems theories and their applications in counseling.
   • Techniques for integrating theories into family counseling practice.
3. Counseling Techniques
   • Basics of counseling techniques, including systemic, cognitive-behavioral, and solution-focused methods.
   • Techniques for conducting individual, couples, and family counseling sessions.
4. Assessment and Diagnosis
   • Principles of family psychological assessment and diagnosis.
   • Techniques for administering and interpreting family assessment tools.
5. Treatment Planning
   • Basics of treatment planning and intervention strategies for families.
   • Techniques for developing and implementing effective family treatment plans.
6. Ethical Practices
   • Understanding ethical guidelines and legal standards in family counseling.
   • Techniques for ensuring ethical practice and client confidentiality.
7. Multicultural Issues
   • Principles of multicultural counseling and diversity awareness in family settings.
   • Techniques for addressing cultural, racial, and social issues in family counseling.
8. Crisis Intervention and Conflict Resolution
   • Basics of crisis intervention and conflict resolution in family environments.
   • Techniques for managing and resolving family crises and conflicts.
9. Practical Training in Family Counseling
   • Real-world counseling experiences, including observation, internships, and practical projects in clinical settings.
   • Application of acquired skills in practical family counseling sessions.
10. Capstone Project in Family Counseling
    • A comprehensive project applying skills in assessment, treatment planning, or multicultural counseling.
    • Presentation of a polished family counseling project or case study.

Assessment Methods:

• Counseling session plans, assessment reports, treatment plans, ethical practice analyses, multicultural counseling projects, crisis intervention plans, practical training reports, capstone projects, group projects, and internship evaluations.

Recommended Textbooks:

• "Family Therapy: Concepts and Methods" by Michael P. Nichols and Richard C. Schwartz.
• "Family Therapy Theories" by Douglas H. Sprenkle and Fred P. Piercy.
• "Psychological Testing and Assessment" by Ronald J. Cohen and Mark Swerdlik.
• "Ethics in Marital and Family Therapy" by Lynn Hoffman.
• "Multicultural Family Therapy" by Monica McGoldrick, Joe Giordano, and Nydia Garcia-Preto.
• "Strategies for Crisis Intervention" by Richard K. James and Burl E. Gilliland.

Prerequisites:

Basic knowledge in psychology, counseling theories, and ethical practices. Suitable for students interested in family counseling, psychology, and mental health fields.

Duration:

Typically 4 years to earn a Bachelor's degree, including coursework, projects, practical training, and internships.

Certification:

Graduates may earn a degree in family counseling and pursue professional certification or licensure in counseling, such as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or related fields.

Target Audience:

Aspiring family counselors, therapists, mental health professionals, and individuals seeking to work in family counseling, therapy, and related fields. This specialization equips students with practical, theoretical, and ethical skills necessary to excel in family counseling and support careers in mental health, family therapy, and related fields.