M.A. in Counseling

Investigates the integration of psychology and theology, examining a number of theories for integration and discussing the pros and cons of each. Emphasis is also placed on how integration plays out both clinically (I.E., in the room with clients) and personally (i.e., in the life of the therapist).

Discusses practical counseling skills for clients, overviewing a broad range of techniques and interventions for a variety of mental health issues. Emphasizes the practice of such skills. It also reviews various paperwork and other practice management issues in clinical mental health counseling. Lastly, discusses various crisis situations and how to respond.

A survey of theories of counseling from a historical-chronological perspective. Specific orientations include family systems, Adlerian, humanistic-existential, person-centered, psychoanalytic, a variety of cognitive-behavioral approaches to counseling, as well as various Christian models of therapy. As students are exposed to these models, they are encouraged to incorporate and integrate their biblical understanding, their faith, and their values about the human change process, with these theories in order to begin to develop their own theoretical orientation to counseling.

Reviews the impact of crisis and trauma on individuals from a biopsychosocial perspective. This course includes an overview of evidence-based treatment models for trauma, focusing on understanding models and implementing basic tools and treatment planning.