Course Syllabus

HR 5633 - Advanced Counseling Skills

Faculty Contact Information

This table includes information about how to contact your instructor and other important details about your class

Add headshot here	Office Hours: By appointment Phone:  Email:   Live Session: Add day, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Central Zoom link:  Meeting ID:  Password:
Professor Name Title Human Relations Department

 Course Details

For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.

Course Description

In this course, you will engage in an advanced study of various counseling approaches with opportunities for demonstration and evaluation of your counseling skills. This course is designed to provide you with advanced exploration and analysis of current counseling practice. You will be expected to demonstrate the ability to analyze, synthesize, critique, and discuss, in verbal and written form, the key concepts of traditional and contemporary counseling practice.

Course Prerequisites  

• HR 5533 - Counseling Theories in CMHC
• HR 5883 - Introduction to the Counseling Profession
• HR 5452 Ethical Issues in Human Relations Counseling
• HR 5663 Psychopathology
• HR 5613 Assessment and Evaluation in Counseling
• HR 5483 Diagnosis in Human Relations Counseling

Course Materials

• Ivey, A. E., Ivey, M. B., & Zalaquett, C. P. (2024). Essentials of intentional counseling and psychotherapy in a multicultural world (4th ed.). Cengage. ISBN 10-0357764633
• Student subscription (4 months) to Skillsetter
  • Skillsetter is an online platform we’ll use weekly for skill practice and evaluation.

Methods of Instruction

The following will be used in the delivery of this course:

• Independent readings
• Lecture
• Synchronous discussion (Live Sessions)
• Presentations
• Videos
• Technological resources 
• Online content (Canvas)
• Asynchronous discussion

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Minimum Technology Requirements

Participating in OU Online programs requires specific technologies. To participate in class and navigate other technological requirements, you will need the following:

• Computer with webcam
• Microsoft Office
• Google Chrome/Firefox
• Reliable Internet
• OU Email

Consider the following tips:

• To be effective in your courses you will need regular access to a computer and a stable internet connection.
• Although mobile devices (i.e., smart phones) are great for checking your grades or watching a video, OU does not recommend relying on them as your primary method for taking a course online or face to face.
• Many times, professors will add course media and assignment drop boxes to Canvas and you need reliable access.
• Computer labs are available on campus in the OU library and rooms can be reserved for privacy.
  • Most town libraries will also have access to technology labs in your hometown.
• You can watch and participate in online courses on your smartphone, but it may make reading the PDFs provided more difficult. We recommend a larger device to access online course content.
• Weather, or shelter-in-place mandates may require at home access to technology. Weather may be unpredictable and can cause alternate sources of class time such as an online zoom meeting. Accessing a webcam and microphone is important.
• Online courses typically have opportunities for students to use audio/video to submit assignments or participate in activities. These accessories will increase course interactivity and can connect you to your instructors as well as your fellow classmates.

For more support contact the OU Instructional Technology Service Portal

You are expected to:

• Check your OU email daily and OU Canvas for updates on classes.
• Use word processing programs such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs for assignments.
• Send or receive email attachments and communicate with your instructor or advisor.
• Search databases for research in the library resources.

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Learning Outcomes & CACREP Standards

Advanced Counseling Skills

Course Learning Outcomes and CACREP standards are listed in the table below

Learning Outcome	CACREP Standard
Self-care, self-awareness, and self-evaluation strategies for ethical and effective practice	3.A.11
Theories and models of counseling, including relevance to clients from diverse cultural backgrounds	3.E.1
The application of technology related to counseling	3.E.5
Ethical and legal issues relevant to establishing and maintaining counseling relationships across service delivery modalities	3.E.6
Culturally sustaining and responsive strategies for establishing and maintaining counseling relationships across service delivery modalities	3.E.7
Counselor characteristics, behaviors, and strategies that facilitate effective counseling relationships	3.E.8
Interviewing, attending, and listening skills in the counseling process	3.E.9
Counseling strategies and techniques used to facilitate the client change process	3.E.10
Strategies for adapting and accommodating the counseling process to client culture, context, abilities, and preferences	3.E.11
Evidence-based counseling strategies and techniques for prevention and intervention	3.E.15
Suicide prevention and response models and strategies	3.E.19
Processes for developing a personal model of counseling grounded in theory and research	3.E.21
Procedures to identify client characteristics, protective factors, risk factors, and warning signs of mental health and behavioral disorders	3.G.16

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Track

Course Learning Outcomes and CACREP standards are listed in the table below

Learning Outcome	CACREP Standard
Techniques and interventions for prevention and treatment of a broad range of mental health issues	5.C.5

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Grades

Breakdown

Course activities and grades listed for each activity

Activity	CACREP Standards	Description	Percentage
Live Sessions	3.E.5, 3.E.6, 3.E.8, 3.E.9, 3.E.10, 3.E.11, 3.E.15, 3.E.19, 3.E.21, 5.C.5, 5.C.7	Weekly Synchronous meetings online via Zoom	20%
Discussions	3.A.11, 3.E.2, 3.E.8, 3.E.9, 3.E.10, 3.E.15, 3.E.21, 5.C.5	2 course discussions	5%
*Skillsetter Demonstrations	3.E.7, 3.E.8, 3.E.9, 3.E.10, 3.E.11, 3.E.19, 5.C.5	7 recorded demonstration modules	35%
Theory-specific Technique Presentation	3.E.1, 3.E.7, 3.E.10, 3.E.15, 3.E.21, 5.C.5	Narrated slideshow presentation	20%
Teletherapy Resource Guide	3.E.5, 3.E.6, 3.E.8	Web-page resource guide	20%
		Total	100%

*Indicates Key Performance Indicator (KPI). This is an intentional formative assessment to assure you take away the core information necessary to be a successful professional counselor.

Scale

Grade Scale

Percentage	Letter Grade
90–100%	A
80–89%	B
70–79%	C
60–69%	D
Below 60%	F

Course Components

There are two ways to earn points for the required Live Sessions, which contribute to your final grade:

Participate Live (Preferred/Recommended Option):

Whenever possible, attending and participating in the Lives Sessions in real time are encouraged as these live sessions will involve breakout groups, skill practice, and small group discussions that are essential to your learning. Attendance will be verified using the Zoom attendance tracker.

Make-Up Assignment (If You Miss a Live Session):

If you are unable to attend a live session, you are responsible for completing a make-up assignment to receive full credit. This assignment is due by 11:59pm CST on Sunday, and includes the following:

1. Written Explanation (250+ words): Explain the primary skill addressed in the missed session using your course readings and/or additional research. You may also watch any relevant portion of the Live Session recording to supplement your written explanation, although it isn’t required. Write in your own words, as if you were teaching the skill to another clinical mental health counseling student.
2. Independent Activity (if applicable): Depending on the session missed, you may also be responsible for completing an activity independently. This will either mirror the activity completed during the Live Session or be a comparable alternative to practice the skill of focus. The activity will not exceed 60 minutes in total and is designed to ensure you stay aligned with the experiential components of the course. If an activity is required, your instructor will share it with you via Canvas and it will be due by 11:59pm Central on Sunday.

Reminder: You only need to complete the make-up assignment if you miss the Live Session. If you have questions or need clarification, please reach out to your instructor.

Discussions

You will complete two essay-style discussion assignments in this course.

First, you will complete an original post in response to the discussion questions provided.

• Responses should be equal to a half-page essay post (approximately 2 paragraphs).
• The initial response posts are due on Friday by 11:59 PM.

Next, you will be required to reply to at least two of your classmates' posts.

• These replies are due on Sunday by 11:59 PM. Replies should be respectful and insightful.
• Replies are to be a minimum of four full sentences in length. 

Skillsetter Demonstrations (KPI)

Skillsetter is an online platform we will use weekly for skill practice and evaluation.

Note: You are required to purchase a 4-month subscription to the platform.

Theory-specific Technique Presentation

For this project, you will research and practice a technique specific to the your theoretical orientation. You will present the technique and demonstration to the class in a pre-recorded / narrated slideshow format.

Teletherapy Resource Guide

You will develop a web page of teletherapy resources and best practices for fellow clinicians. Note: You have the option to complete this individually or in a group.

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Course Policies

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University Academic Policies and Student Support

Access the University Academic Policies Document.