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Counselling course details and information

Course Descriptions

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The following list of the courses offered through KCPC cover a wide range of counselling situations. Each course is designed to highlight mental health issues and techniques relevant to the specific topic. The descriptions include the discussion topics and specific skills you will learn in each course.
In addition to the texts, supplemental study materials, various forms of media, and field trips may be incorporated into the course assignments. The cost of tuition includes all text books, videos and study materials.

AAR-400 Addictions and Recovery
Discussion topics: Understanding the theory behind stages of change relating to the treatment of various types of addiction. Skills: You’ll learn to identify risk of substance abuse and addictive behaviors, family intervention, provide support for the client who is entering residential treatment and relapse prevention.

ACS-400-1 Applied Counselling Skills (Case Management, Assessment & Listening Skills)
Discussion Topics and skills: This course is part of a three-part supervised skill development, which allows students to practice counselling skills with other students in the class. This skill development course will focus on: the assessment interview, building safety and therapeutic relationship, using reflective listening skills, creating a treatment plan, and setting goals based on person centered theory. (This course is designed as an exercise in skill development, and not meant to be a substitute for therapy. Students with serious personal issues are encouraged to seek professional counselling outside of the school program).

ACS-400-2 Applied Counselling Skills – (Case Management, Goals and Interventions)
Discussion Topics and skills: This course is part of the three-part skill development, which allows students to practice and deepen their counselling skills. Under supervision of the instructor, students apply counselling interventions to problems presented by volunteer “clients”. Students practice the assessment interview, building safety and therapeutic relationship, reflective listening & empathy, creating a treatment plan, setting goals, maintaining case files and progress notes. (Just a reminder-- this course is designed as an exercise in skill development, and not meant to be a substitute for therapy. Students with serious personal issues are encouraged to seek professional counselling outside of the school program).

ACS-400-3 Applied Counselling Skills – (Integrative Approach)
Discussion Topics and skills: The course is part of the three-part skill development, which allows students to develop and implement various counselling techniques, using a combination of personality theories learned throughout the program. Students apply the integrated counselling approach to the assessment interview, building safety and deepening the therapeutic relationship, treatment plan, goal setting, maintaining case files and progress notes. Ethical guidelines and the need for each counselor to implement a personal wellness plan will be stressed. (Just a reminder-- this course is designed as an exercise in skill development, and not meant to be a substitute for therapy. Students with serious personal issues are encouraged to seek professional counselling outside of the school program).

ACS-400-4 Case Management in Applied Counselling Skills IV
Discussion Topics and skills: Case Management in Applied Counselling Skills IV is an elective course available to students for professional development. Clinically supervised, this skill development course is specifically intended to prepare the entry level counsellor in the area of records management, documentation, professional collaboration, referrals, and case conferencing. After integrating a variety of counselling techniques into one approach which reflects the student’s personality style, values, and choice of therapeutic modality, this course allows the student to practice using the assessment developed in the third skill development, and to carry through the entire cycle of practice management.

ACT-600 Advanced Couples Therapy I & II
Discussion topics: In depth exploration of cognitive, emotional and behavioral problems within the context of a couple’s relationship. A wide selection of videos demonstrate evidence-based theories, concepts and techniques applicable to the assessment and treatment phases of couple therapy.
Skills: Students learn and practice techniques geared to helping heterosexual, homosexual and bisexual couples resolve interpersonal conflicts resulting from maladaptive communication patterns learned from original family systems. Students also develop assessment tools and outcome criteria. (Course Details)

ADV-400 Abuse, Trauma, and Domestic Violence
Discussion Topics: Various types of trauma, sexual and physical abuse, violent crime, and natural disasters. Assessment tools and treatment strategies symptoms affecting individuals and family relationships; secondary victimization; and ethical and legal reporting requirements.
Skills: You’ll learn counselling and interviewing techniques to assess for scope of practice; how to build safety and provide support; identify symptoms of trauma, PTSD, abuse and/or domestic violence; and how to develop primary, secondary and tertiary intervention plans.

APD-400 Assessment of Psychological Disorders
Discussion topics: How to identify and classify symptoms of psychiatric disorders identified by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM IV-TR) in order to assess and remain within the counsellor’s scope of practice.
Skills: You’ll learn interview techniques and skills to identify clusters of symptoms; formulate and record your “speculative diagnosis”; refer to a specialist; or develop a treatment plan, and establish goals.

APT-400 Application of Personality Theories
Discussion topics: Examine the major theories of personality development and the application of the related counselling techniques and treatment approaches; assessment procedures, goal setting, and outcome measures to monitor the effects of treatment.
Skills: You will learn and practice specific skills from each personality theory. Combining your knowledge of the various theories, you’ll begin to formulate your own unique counselling style.

ASD-400 Advanced Skill Development/ Final Project
Discussion Topics and skills: The purpose of the Advanced Skill Development/Final Project is to allow students to work in a mentored position while demonstrating their abilities to apply concepts, theories, and skills to counselling-related situations. As part of this on-the-job experience, students will research and develop a project which has practical application to the work setting.

ATC-400 Applied Thesis Course
Discussion Topics and skills: At the completion of all required courses for the Diploma and Certificate programs, student work under the supervision of an instructor in their field of specialization to incorporate the concepts and skills learned throughout the program into a comprehensive, career-related final project. This written project serves as a measure of the student’s level of competency in the area of clinical interest, and will be evaluated by the instructor for practical relevance and professionalism. Students choose from a list of topics relevant to their career direction.

CBC-400 (1 & 2) Community Based Counselling Part I and Part II
Discussion topics: The two part course covers the role of the community counsellor in various types of community settings, outreach programs, cultural diversity, special needs populations, funding, and networking.
Skills: You will learn and practice skills related to finding employment with a mental health agency, developing community outreach programs, becoming a “change agent” to influence public policy, advocating for clients, and the application of the community-based counselling theory in an actual agency setting.

CPD-400 Career Planning and Development: Part One and Two
Discussion topics: The major theories used by career counsellors in the assessment interview and treatment planning. Exposure to the career related testing and screening indicators are applied to determine career direction.
Skills: You will learn to conduct assessment interviews which incorporate the major career counselling theories. You will practice evaluating this information by writing a treatment plan for yourself and for a volunteer client.

CSE-400 Conflict, Suicide and Emergency Interventions
Discussion topics: Understanding how the ABC model is used to intervene and resolve emergency situations such as intense conflict, suicide and other types of crisis.
Skills: You’ll learn to assess the degree of suicidal and homicidal risk, suicide contracting; plus counselling victims of crime and other types of trauma.

CTA-600 Comprehensive Treatments for Addictions, I&II
Discussion topics: This 2-part, advanced course covers the range of addictions from alcohol, drug abuse, and nicotine to various process addictions, including sex, internet, gaming, social media, and gambling. Also addressed are major addiction theories and treatment models; neuroscience; DSM-V classifications; diverse populations; ethical, legal, and professional issues.
Skills: You’ll learn advanced techniques specific to treating the full range substance and behavior addictions: assessment, goal setting, treatment planning, relapse; stages of change; ethical, legal and professional considerations, and how to develop a primary prevention workshop.

CYF-400, Collaborative Youth and Family Counselling
Discussion Topics: Offers training in the delivery of a collaborative counselling program applicable to children, adolescents and families. It is a step by step program based on 4 development stages- behavioral; emotional; social; academic. Children experiencing deficits in one or more of these stages may exhibit acting out behaviors or internalized emotional problems.
Skills: You’ll learn to collaborate with parents in assessing presenting issues of children, adolescents and families; customize appropriate treatment strategies; and facilitate a structured counselling program in various formats including individual and family counselling, and parenting groups.

ECD-400 Ethics and Career Development
Discussion Topics: Understanding professional ethics, application of ethics, and ethical dilemmas. Self-care, professional skill development, career opportunities, and developing a private practice.
Skills: Students will begin to learn how to approach ethical decision making, when and how to seek out clinical supervision, how to gauge self-health, learn the warning signs of burn-out, and how to develop and maintain a healthy perspective on a career in the helping professions.

GDW-400 Group Dynamics and Workshop Design
Discussion Topics: The processes and working stages relating to four categories of groups including: task groups, psycho-educational groups (also called workshops or seminars), support groups, and counselling groups; the uses for various types of group counselling in community agencies as well as private practice.
Skills: You will learn to identify the stages of group dynamics and use appropriate techniques for each stage. You will practice leading or co-leading; or participate in at least one type of group. By understanding when and why to apply the appropriate techniques, students will be prepared to develop their own style in facilitating group work. In addition you will learn the concepts involved in the proposal, design and presentation of psycho-educational workshops.

IAP-400 Introduction to Applied Psychology and Ethics
Discussion Topics: Foundation theories and skills used in the counselling process, formulating a therapeutic alliance, ethical considerations, and characteristics of effective counsellors.
Skills: In this course you learn basic interview and assessment procedures, listening skills, ways to build trust and safety, overcoming client’s resistance, and ethical decision making.

ICC-400 Introduction to Couples’ Counselling
Discussion Topics: Problems commonly reported in a couples’ relationship. Various approaches used to evaluate a couple’s interpersonal processes; the impact of cultural and personal variables from original family systems on current marriage dynamics.
Skills: You will learn to use various techniques commonly used in couple counselling, i.e., genograms, empathic listening, problem solving, and dealing with anger.

ICP-600 Introduction to Clinical Psychopharmacology
Discussion topics: identify scope of practice; recognize clusters of symptoms related to DSM diagnostic criteria; when and how to request medication evaluation and other correspondence with professional colleagues.
Skills: You’ll learn to recognize symptoms related to psychopharmacology; formulate speculative diagnoses and case studies;  compose referral letters for medication evaluation and other factors related to psychotropic medication. 
(Pre-requisite: Assessment of Psychological Disorders (APD-400) or equivalent.).

ITC-400 Introduction to Cinema-therapy
Topics:    Cinematherapy incorporates an integrated skill set to treat mild to moderate mental health issues. The four-step treatment program assesses and processes clients’ responses to contemporary films related to their presenting concerns. Online or f2f sessions are suitable for individuals, couples, youth, workshops, and groups.
Skills:   Students learn how to select therapeutically appropriate films; help clients process their reactions to characters and events in the film; resolve issues related to disruptive emotions, thoughts, family dynamics, life patterns, addictions and other symptoms depicted in the film. Outcome measures and needs assessment used to test the efficacy of the therapy process.

IOC-400 Introduction to Online Counselling, I&II
Topics include: Overview of current research on the use and effectiveness of e-counseling, and data on the i diosyncrasies of online behavior and communication. Practical aspects, skill sets, and required competencies for online entry-level to advanced- level counsellors and psychotherapists are discussed at length, along with technological, ethical, legal, multicultural.
Skills: use of techniques to deliver treatment in an online format; determine scope of practice, and client’s readiness for virtual counselling; outcome measures to determine progress,  readiness for termination; and  how to set up an online therapy practice.

ITT-400 Introduction to Teletherapy
Topics: Introduction to Teletherapy (ITT-400) provides students the opportunity to modify and integrate their face-to-face counselling style for use in telephonic and video sessions. The result is a unique counselling approach applicable to an entry-level scope of practice that reflects the student’s training, personality, values, and therapeutic modality. Information is also included on how to set up and operate an Teletherapy practice.
Skills: Students demonstrate competency in all basic counselling skills, while delivering therapy via telephone or video sessions; design practice management forms; learn how to set up and operate an e-counselling practice.

LSC-400 Life Skills Coaching
Discussion topics: Theories and concepts from the field of Life Skills Coaching applied to a wide variety of personal and business-related situations. How Life Coaching differs from professional counselling.
Skills: You will learn the roles taken by Life Coaches including business consulting, and how to apply specific skills to interviewing, problem clarification, goal setting, education, and advising clients in a variety of specific problem situations

MCC-400 Multi-Cultural Competence
Discussion topics: The importance of understanding cultural diversity related to the religion, race, gender, socio-economic class, and sexual preference of the client will be addressed.
Skills: You will learn to administer a cultural assessment to target areas of diversity. You will explore your own cultural roots and uncover any cultural biases which impact your ability to practice as a culturally sensitive and competent counsellor.

MPD-400 Milestones in Psychosocial Development
Discussion topics: Chronological stages relating to emotional and social developmental tasks from infancy through very old age, and the role each stage plays in personality development.
Skills: You will learn to identify incomplete developmental tasks from earlier stages that relate to clients’ current presenting problem and include this information in treatment planning. You will investigate your own developmental history and chart milestones which played significant roles in your personal development.

POG-400 Psychology of Grief
Discussion topics: Major theories of loss from a psychological perspective; recognizing symptoms of grief; assessing complicating factors leading to unresolved grief; types of complicated grief reactions, and appropriate counselling techniques for each; special types of losses.
Skills: You will learn assessment procedures, normalizing techniques, treatment planning and interventions related to a wide variety of grief related situations. Techniques for working with individuals, children, adolescents, couples, and families. You will develop the therapeutic skills necessary to recognize and treat complicated grief reactions, and to support clients through the various stages of the normal grief process.

POL-400 – Psychology of Learning
Discussion topics: The Psychology of Learning course introduce resources and protocol for determining a client’s preferred processing modality, as well as how factors like cognitive developmental stages, executive skill development, temperament, birth order, and IQ all impact the learning process.
Skills: Interpretation, assessment and counselling interventions related to developmental deficits and strengths in the context of learning; how to recognize learning and temperament mismatches in both an educational context and family system.

PPR-400 – Probation, Parole, and Issues in Rehabilitation
Discussion topics: Assessment procedures, treatment planning, and intervention techniques will be discussed and demonstrated. Students will apply these concepts and techniques to a variety of justice related circumstances.
Skills: The general aim of this course is to provide students with knowledge related to the assessment, management and rehabilitation of clients in contact with the justice system. Opportunities will be provided for students to develop therapeutic skills for assisting clients to move through the process of restorative justice, rehabilitation, and re-integration into society.

The Practice of Psychotherapy
The theory and skill set offered in this Certificate requires a series of 3 (two-part) post-diploma courses, plus 3 pre-requisite courses.
Discussion Topics and Skills: Evidence-based theories and techniques used by psychotherapists to treat disorders of thought, cognition, and mood. The texts, videos, and study materials cover- assessment and strategic treatment planning incorporating psychopharmacology for DSM-V disorders; self-growth and professional challenges of clinical practice; ethics and multiculturalism; profession writing skills using APA guidelines for research, and professional correspondence; and the applications of research in clinical practice.

The following courses are required:

Introduction to Applied Psychology and Ethics, or equivalent. (pre-requisite)
Assessment of Psychological Disorders (pre-requisite)
Applied Counselling Skills I (pre-requisite)
Theory and Practice of Psychotherapy, I & II (advanced two-part course)
Evidence-based Treatment and Psychopharmacology, I & II, (advanced two-part course)
Challenges of Clinical Practice, I & II, (advanced two-part course)

TPP I-600 - Theory and Practice of Psychotherapy, I
Discussion topics: An overview of evidence-based psychotherapeutic techniques and related theories which comprise the foundations of the mental health profession.
Skills: You’ll learn to implement key factors in treatment planning, goal setting and choice of therapeutic approach. (Pre-requisite: Applied Counselling Skills, ACSI-400, or equivalent.)

TPP II-600 - Theory and Practice of Psychotherapy, II
Discussion topics: The series of training videos demonstrate in-depth analysis of the major evidence-based psychotherapeutic approaches.
Skills: You’ll learn to refine your therapeutic orientation; and practice techniques related to the psychotherapeutic modalities covered in the text and portrayed on the videos.
(Pre-requisite: Applied Counselling Skills, ACSI-400, or equivalent.)

EPT I-600 - Evidence-based Treatment and Psychopharmacology, I
Discussion topics: Identify clusters of symptoms relating to DSM diagnostic criteria
Skills: You’ll learn how to develop systematic treatment plans and make referrals for medication evaluation based on factors related to psychopharmacology.
(Pre-requisite: Assessment of Psychological Disorders, APD-400, or equivalent.)

EPT II-600 - Evidence-based Treatment and Psychopharmacology, II
Discussion topics: case management, report writing, and advanced treatment strategies for DSM disorders.
Skills: You’ll learn how to incorporate psychopharmacology, therapists’ characteristics, and efficacy of therapeutic approach into treatment for DSM disorders. (Pre-requisite: Assessment of Psych. Disorders, APD-400)

CCP I-600 - Challenges of Clinical Practice, I
Discussion topics: the importance of incorporating ethics, researched outcomes, multiculturalism, and social responsibility into the foundations of clinical practice.
Skills: You’ll discover personal insights by completing a series of self-awareness exercises related to the challenges of becoming a therapist: explore your own hopes and fears and expectations to help build a personally satisfying career plan, and counter the potential for burnout. (Pre-requisite: Introduction to Applied Psychology and Ethics)

CCP II-600 - Challenges of Clinical Practice, II
Thesis/Research Project: Refine your research and writing skills by designing a thesis project based on APA guidelines. The end result will establish ‘evidence-based’ support for your unique theoretical approach to therapy. (Pre-requisite: Introduction to Applied Psychology and Ethics).

Sex and Intimacy Counselling
Discussion Topics and skills: The series of 4 specialized courses feature text books, demonstration videos, and supplemental materials providing the latest information related to human sexual behaviors, gender roles, GLBT relationships, intimacy, and sexual difficulties. Learn to assess and treat symptoms of sexual dysfunction such as: low level of sexual desire; arousal; difficult climaxing; premature ejaculation. Due to the in-depth coverage of the topics, a series of four courses of related content (taken in the following order) covers theories and counselling techniques used to assist with mild to moderate difficulties related to sexual dysfunction and intimacy.
UHS-400 -- Understanding Human Sexuality, the first course in the series focuses on human sexuality. This emphasis allows students to gain a basic understanding of physical anatomy as it relates to sexual response; gender differences; what’s ‘normal’ in terms of sexual desire and behavior.
CSI-400 -- Culture, Sex, and Intimacy, the second course in the series focuses on intimacy in relationships. Students learn how cultural influences, styles of communication, and family background contributes to the level of intimacy and resulting sexual problems in straight, gay, lesbian and bisexual relationships.
SIC-400 -- Sex and Intimacy Counselling, the third course in the series presents theories and techniques used to increase the level of intimacy and sexual gratification in significant relationships. Students learn to develop and conduct a Marital Enrichment Program for individual couples and small groups.
TSD-400 -- Treating Symptoms of Sexual Dysfunction, the fourth course in the series introduces theories, methods of assessment, and techniques used to treat specific problems related to arousal and sexual function.

SFB-400 Spiritual/Faith-Based Counselling
Discussion topics: Integrating spiritual and religious beliefs and concepts (such as Evil and Suffering) into the counselling process.
Skills: You will learn to use interview skills, discussion, and assessment forms to clarify spiritual beliefs relating to presenting problem, how to set counselling goals, and how to incorporate the basis of the 12 Step Programs with religious beliefs. You will explore your own belief system as it relates to your role as a spiritual or pastoral counsellor.

SFC-400 Solution Focused Counselling
Discussion topics: Solution-focused model and cognitive-behavioral techniques applied to a wide variety of brief term counselling situations, common disorders, and outcome data.
Skills: You will learn to apply solution-focused techniques to the initial interview, treatment planning and counselling process with individuals, children, adolescents, couples, and families. You will practice solution-focused skills during role play exercises that can readily apply to common disorders found in counselling situations.

TDA-400 Treatments for Depression and Anxiety Disorders
Discussion Topics: Practical information and cognitive-behavioural techniques that can be readily applied to a wide variety of anxiety and depression disorders as
typically found in brief-term counselling situations.
Skills: You will learn to apply the cognitive-behavioural model to interviewing, assessment, goal setting, contracting, and treatment of symptoms related to depression and anxiety in adults, children, and adolescents.

YFC-400 I & II Youth and Family Counselling
Discussion Topics: The focus is on a child-centered, family approach for counselling children and adolescents, emphasizing the interaction between family members during the counselling process.
Skills: You’ll learn practical information and skills that can readily apply to counselling youth and families including: assessment of problems related to unmet emotional needs and developmental delays; trust building, treatment planning, parenting strategies, play therapy and art therapy.

Part I: provides students with knowledge related to cognitive, emotional and behavioral problems exhibited by children and adolescents within the context of the family. This course will introduce concepts and techniques required for evaluating and counseling children, adolescents and their parents.

Part II focuses on Case Study evaluation. Students will learn to assess the presenting issues of children and adolescents and develop treatment strategies and/or make appropriate referrals within the scope of practice of an entry level therapist.

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