What You Will Learn as a Counseling Student

Counseling students will demonstrate knowledge of the practice of counseling as a profession; adopt the identity, values, and conduct of a clinical mental health counselor; demonstrate knowledge of the legal issues that impact the profession and practice of counseling; and, demonstrate the ability to practice skillfully within the ethical guidelines established by the ACA.

Counseling students will demonstrate knowledge of the effects of systemic, social, and cultural factors on human behavior, both on those who hold dominant and non-dominant culture identities and social locations; demonstrate understanding of how the dynamics of power, privilege, and oppression impact clients’ lived experiences, the counseling relationship, client case conceptualization, and treatment planning; and, demonstrate attitudes, beliefs, knowledge, skills, and actions as guided by the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (2015) and Advocacy Competencies (2003) endorsed by the ACA.

Counseling students will demonstrate knowledge of human development across the lifespan and the effects of normal and abnormal development on client functioning; and, skillfully apply knowledge of human and family developmental stages and experiences in constructing developmentally appropriate client assessments, counseling goals, and treatment approaches in their work with clients.

Counseling students will demonstrate knowledge and application of career development theory in working with individuals of all ages and across all stages of life; demonstrate understanding of contextual influences, such as economic conditions and cultural factors on career decisions and job performance in therapeutic work with clients; and, demonstrate competence in understanding the intersections between mental health, life satisfaction, the world of work, and client roles and identities.

Counseling students will demonstrate the ability to skillfully create therapeutic working alliances with clients; demonstrate effective therapeutic helping skills that promote positive client change and counseling outcomes; and, demonstrate the ability to adapt the helping relationship to the unique needs of a diverse range of clients.

Counseling students will demonstrate knowledge of the purpose and function of different types of groups and of group process dynamics; apply group counseling theories and group leadership styles that promote positive therapeutic relationships; and, demonstrate the ability to skillfully create therapeutic change through effective group counseling.

Counseling students will demonstrate the ability to identify valid, reliable, developmentally, and culturally appropriate assessment tools; demonstrate the ability to skillfully facilitate client assessment procedures; and, effectively utilize assessment findings and evaluation results to inform treatment planning and counseling interventions for the benefit of client progress.

Counseling students will demonstrate knowledge of research methods and how research findings inform evidence-based practice; demonstrate ability to skillfully select, analyze, evaluate, and apply professional research to professional counseling practice decisions and theory-based interventions; and, apply program evaluation approaches to their practice settings to better serve clients.

Counseling students will demonstrate knowledge of a lifespan developmental approach to understanding human sexuality, the medical and psycho-social aspects of sexual function, and sexuality counseling theories and techniques; and, will skillfully conduct evaluation of clients’ physical, psychological, and social sexual development.

Counseling students will demonstrate knowledge of the roles and functions of counselors as they practice in diverse communities and the effects of societal and ecological forces on client functioning; demonstrate ability to skillfully provide assessment and intervention for individuals and families during times of crisis and trauma; and, demonstrate competency in advocating for client groups by working in partnership with community members.

Counseling students will demonstrate knowledge of the foundational principles, theories, and models of care utilized in the ethical and effective practice of the clinical mental health counseling profession; demonstrate ability to skillfully select and administer psychological assessments specific to the practice of clinical mental health counseling and client concerns; demonstrate the ability to skillfully conceptualize client cases, design, and operationalize treatment plans for client progress, and ethically document client care.

Counseling students will demonstrate knowledge of and skill in the roles and settings associated with the continuum of care of clinical mental health counseling services; demonstrate skill in diagnosing mental health problems; demonstrate the ability to implement clinically effective treatment approaches for substance use disorders, particularly as they affect individuals with mental illness; demonstrate the ability to implement clinically effective treatment approaches for crises and trauma conditions, particularly as they affect individuals with mental illness; and, demonstrate knowledge of the effects of neurobiological indicators and psychopharmacological interventions on human functioning.

Counseling students will demonstrate knowledge of and skills in the practice of clinical mental health counseling, including holistic and contextual assessment of client functioning; demonstrate the ability to apply practice strategies for prevention and intervention of mental health concerns; demonstrate skill in working with clients from a range of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and identities; and, demonstrate the ability to effectively consult with other professionals and advocate for the best care of clients.

Counseling students will demonstrate an understanding of the counselor’s role in social advocacy; demonstrate knowledge of and skills in the application of social justice principles in the practice of counseling, including fairness and equity in accessing resources, exercising civil rights, and procuring mental health treatment, particularly in the cases of individuals and groups of people who experience marginalization; and, demonstrate the ability to engage in individual and/or collective actions to correct injustices or improve social conditions that support and benefit the welfare of individuals, groups, and general society.

Counseling students will demonstrate knowledge of and the ability to consistently enact the attitudes, characteristics, behaviors, dispositions, and conduct defined by the Graduate Studies in Counseling program and the counseling profession as exemplars of counseling professionals.