Course Syllabus
HR 5633 - Advanced Counseling Skills
Faculty Contact Information
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 5003 - Theoretical Foundations in Human Relations Counseling / HR 5533 - Counseling Theories in CMHC
- HR 5402 - Psycho-Social Development / HR 5923 - Human Growth & Development
- HR 5883 - Introduction to the Counseling Profession
- HR 5483 - Diagnosis in Human Relations Counseling
- HR 5453 - Ethics in Human Relations Counseling
- HR 5643 - Crisis Intervention / Crisis Intervention and Trauma Counseling
- HR 5593 - Multicultural Counseling
- HR5503 - Research for Counseling
- HR 5893 - Psychopharmacology
- HR 5663 - Psychopathology
- HR 5433 - Group Counseling
- HR 5613 - Assessment and Evaluation in Counseling
- HR 5463 - Counseling in Human Relations
- HR 5513 - Couples and Family Counseling
- Note: Depending on which semester your cohort started, you may or may not have completed this course prior to taking Advanced Counseling Skills and that is okay. There may be situations where you are taking this course after the Advanced Counseling Skills course.
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.
- Student subscription (4 months) to Skillsetter
Learning Outcomes & CACREP Standards
Advanced Counseling Skills
| Learning Outcome | CACREP Standard |
|---|---|
|
Develop self-care, self-awareness, and self-evaluation strategies for ethical and effective practice |
3.A.11 |
|
Examine theories and models of counseling, including relevance to clients from diverse cultural backgrounds |
3.E.1 |
|
Explore the application of technology related to counseling |
3.E.5 |
|
Identify ethical and legal issues relevant to establishing and maintaining counseling relationships across service delivery modalities |
3.E.6 |
|
Examine culturally sustaining and responsive strategies for establishing and maintaining counseling relationships across service delivery modalities |
3.E.7 |
|
Discuss counselor characteristics, behaviors, and strategies that facilitate effective counseling relationships |
3.E.8 |
|
Practice interviewing, attending, and listening skills in the counseling process |
3.E.9 |
|
Practice counseling strategies and techniques used to facilitate the client change process |
3.E.10 |
|
Explore strategies for adapting and accommodating the counseling process to client culture, context, abilities, and preferences |
3.E.11 |
|
Analyze evidence-based counseling strategies and techniques for prevention and intervention |
3.E.15 |
|
Explore suicide prevention and response models and strategies |
3.E.19 |
|
Analyze processes for developing a personal model of counseling grounded in theory and research |
3.E.21 |
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Track
| Learning Outcome | CACREP Standard |
|---|---|
|
Examine techniques and interventions for prevention and treatment of a broad range of mental health issues |
5.C.5 |
Grades
Breakdown
| 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 demonstrations | 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
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Live Sessions
- Participate Live: This option should be your preferred choice. When possible, you should attend and participate in the Live Sessions in real-time. Your attendance will be cross-checked against the attendance tracker in Zoom.
- Make-Up (Watch Recording-Submit Written Summary): In the event that your work or personal schedule makes it impossible for you to attend, please review the recording of the Live Session then write a paragraph summarizing the Live Session from your perspective. Click on the "Start Assignment" button to type (or copy/paste) your paragraph into the text field. Don't worry if the system indicates your submission is late. You will have until 11:59pm on Sunday to submit your paragraph summary.
Note: You only need to submit something here in option 2 for a missed Live Session to receive full points by 11:59pm Central on Sunday.
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)
You will practice and record seven advanced counseling skills modules on Skillsetter. In addition, you will provide feedback to your peers on their recordings.
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.
Course Policies
Communication
If you need to get in touch with me, please do so by email at cwebster@ou.edu.
I will respond within 24 hours on Monday through Friday. I do not always check email over the weekend, so please wait until Monday for a reply.
Late Policy
No late work will be accepted. Exceptions will be made only for documented Provost-approved University-sponsored activities or legally required activities such as emergency military service, jury duty, or documented serious illness or emergency and then only after discussion with me. Contact me by email if an emergency occurs.
Technical difficulties do not qualify as an emergency unless the problem is severe, prolonged, and on the server end (the problem is with Canvas). In such cases, the due date will be modified, and a new due date specified. Expect technical difficulties on your end and plan for a secondary location from which to post or an alternative Internet Service Provider.
Posting Difficulties
Files that do not post correctly in the assignments area or responses which do not correctly post on the discussion board will not be accepted for a grade. If your file does not post (you are timed out, for example), becomes corrupted, contains a virus, or if your response is blank/partial, you should re-post before the deadline so that you may receive a grade.
Always check to see that your response or file has been correctly posted before you exit Canvas. Be sure to post in advance so that you have enough time to correct any posting difficulties.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Land Acknowledgement
Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.
We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.
The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Student Support Services
OU offers a variety of services to support students. For more information, please refer to the Student Support Module in your Orientation course.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Copyright Statement and Privacy Information
Sessions of this course may be recorded or live-streamed. These recordings are the intellectual property of the individual faculty member and may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. In addition, the privacy rights of others such as students, guest lecturers, and providers of copyrighted material displayed in the recording may be of concern. Students may not share any course recordings with individuals not enrolled in the class or upload them to any other online environment.
Academic Integrity
As a member of the OU community, it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
Academic honesty is incredibly important in this course. Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. Should you know of someone else engaging in academic misconduct, please report it to your instructor or directly to the Office of Academic Integrity. Your instructor has a professional obligation to report academic misconduct.
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty. [See Faculty Handbook 3.15.2].
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is committed to supporting students with disabilities to ensure that they can enjoy equal access to all components of their education. This includes your academics, housing, and community events. Please review OU's Accessibility Policy.
If you are experiencing a disability or a mental/medical health condition that has a significant impact on one or more life functions, you can receive accommodations to provide equal access. Possible disabilities include but are not limited to learning disabilities, AD(H)D, mental health, and chronic health. Additionally, we support students with temporary medical conditions (broken wrist, shoulder surgery, etc.) and pregnancy.
To discuss potential accommodations, please contact the ADRC at 730 College Avenue, (phone) 405-325-3852, or adrc@ou.edu.
Title IX Resources
For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no-contact orders, scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. To learn more or to report an incident, please contact the Institutional Equity Office (M-F, from 8-5, at 405-325-3546) or OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013).
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth-Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact your instructor as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Mental Health Support Services
If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019. To schedule an appointment, call 405-325-2911. For more information, please visit the University Counseling Center.
Final Exam Preparation Period
Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU's Final Exam Preparation Period policy.
Required Policies for Students On Campus
Emergency Protocol
During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety.
Severe Weather: If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather:
- Look for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances
- Seek refuge inside a building. Do not leave one building to seek shelter in another building that you deem safer. If outside, get into the nearest building.
- Go to the building’s severe weather refuge location. If you do not know where that is, go to the lowest level possible and seek refuge in the innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows.
- Get in, Get Down, Cover Up.
- Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.
Additional information about severe weather preparedness is available through the Department of Campus Safety's Emergency Management Division.
OU-Norman Campus: Tornado Refuge Protocol
Severe Weather Preparedness Video
Armed Subject/Campus Intruder
If you receive an OU Alert to shelter-in-place due to an active shooter or armed intruder situation or you hear what you perceive to be gunshots:
- Avoid: If you believe you can get out of the area without encountering the armed individual, move quickly towards the nearest building exit, move away from the building, and call 911.
- Deny: If you cannot flee, move to an area that can be locked or barricaded, turn off lights, silence devices, spread out, and formulate a plan of attack if the shooter enters the room.
- Defend: As a last resort fight to defend yourself. For more information, visit:
OU's Emergency Preparedness site
Shots Fire on Campus Procedure
Fire Alarm/General Emergency
If you receive an OU Alert that there is danger inside or near the building, or the fire alarm inside the building activates:
- Leave the building. Do not use the elevators.
- Know at least two building exits.
- Assist those who may need help.
- Proceed to the emergency assembly area.
- Once safely outside, Notify first responders of anyone who may still be inside the building due to mobility issues.
- Wait for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|