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Rooted in a firm foundation of Bible and Theology, the BA in Religion with a Major in Counselling Foundations is designed to equip the student with basic counselling skills for lay counselling and pastoral counselling situations. This program is also intended to provide students with the foundations and prerequisites for future studies in counselling at a graduate level.
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Tina Strutt, M.A., R.C.C.
Director of the Counselling
Foundations Major
counselling@summitpacific.ca
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Graduates of the Counselling Foundations Program meet all the academic requirements for credentialing with the PAOC. However, graduates will need to pursue a MA degree in Counselling and/or Psychology if they desire to work as a counsellor or therapist. Counsellor accreditation bodies generally require the MA as the minimum standard. The Counselling Foundations Program at Summit Pacific College works diligently to offer all the prerequisites for entrance to the Counselling MA program at ACTS Seminaries. This MA program offers the academic standards required for membership with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. |
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Objectives:
Upon completion of this 4 year program the student shall be able to:
- integrate faith with counselling philosophy and practice;
- demonstrate an understanding of Scripture as it relates to the issues that arise while working in the counselling profession;
- demonstrate knowledge of the current models of psychotherapies and Christian counselling;
- demonstrate a deeper understanding of people, the various experiences they face and the issues that tend to disrupt human life;
- demonstrate an appreciation of the diversity of human kind;
- observe the value and potential that Christ has placed within each person;
- demonstrate Spirit-led discernment and skill in pastoral counseling; and,
- enter a Master’s degree program in counselling.
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Core Courses Include:
- PSYC 106 Introduction to Psychology - This course provides a broad introduction to the field of psychology as a science. The practical, life-oriented application of scientific principles of psychology is explored. As well, development, learning, biological bases of behavior, motivation and emotion, perception, measurement and fundamental statistics, personality, behavioral and mental disorders, group and social processes are touched on. COUN 245 Foundations of Counselling I - F 3 sem. hrs. This foundational course will provide students with an overview of Christian counselling. Focus will be on the role of the Christian worker in dealing with specific needs in their own congregation and community. Basic counselling methodologies as well as the student’s personal growth will be emphasized.
- COUN 245 Foundations of Counselling I - This foundational course will provide students with an overview of Christian counselling. Focus will be on the role of the Christian worker in dealing with specific needs in their own congregation and community. Basic counselling methodologies as well as the student’s personal growth will be emphasized.
- COUN 246 Foundations of Counselling II - Following Counselling Foundations I, this course will continue to study the foundational principles and basic skills of counselling. It delves into some self-reflection, with the understanding that knowing ourselves well and working through our own issues enables us to facilitate help in the lives of others. This course sets the groundwork to assist the student in establishing their own philosophy of counselling, one that will be worked on throughout their studies and completed in their final year.
- PSYC 242 Developmental Psychology - This course will study human development from infancy to old age, with attention given to the key physical, intellectual, emotional, moral and social characteristics of each developmental stage. Students will gain a working understanding of human development as the course investigates the impact of family, community, society and church influences in ones life. Throughout this course students will be challenged in their own personal reflection and understanding in order that they would gain a better understanding of self and others.
- PSYC 443 Personality Theories - This course is designed to give a broad introduction to theory and research in the area of personality psychology. The course will cover a variety of personality theories such as psychodynamic, humanistic and existential, dispositional and learning theories. Personality theories will be taught in such a manner that students will develop an understanding of how such theories relate to them personally and be able to apply them to both their understanding of self and of others.
- PSYC 344 Marriage and Family Counselling - A study of premarital, marital and family issues with an emphasis on counselling within the family system. The course teaches the basic skills that will guide the student in counselling premarital, marital and family related concerns.
- PSYC 445 Statistics & Social Science
This course introduces basic statistical concepts and methods, with emphasis on sound understanding and quantitative problem-solving and decision-making. Coverage includes: descriptive statistics, probability, normal distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing and bivariate analysis (including correlation and regression). Special topics include: surveys, random sampling, sample size, reliability and validity, questionnaire design, non-parametric tests, and ‘how to lie with statistics’. Practical examples of statistics will be drawn from everyday life, especially from social science (psychology & behavioural research).
- PSYC 343 Abnormal Psychology - This course will study several psychological difficulties that present special problems in understanding and treatment. Stemming from a Biblical foundation, students will develop an understanding of such issues as eating disorders, sexual issues, personality disorders, anxiety, depression, codependency, addictions, etc. Attention will be given to etiology, symptoms, treatment, and community resources.
- COUN 445 Counselling Internship / COUN 446 Counselling Internship - This course is designed to provide counselling foundations majors with practical experience in a counselling profession under the supervision of an experienced counsellor or minister. It will allow students to choose from a variety of counselling related professions both in and out of a church context, in order that students will receive a well-rounded education and insight into counselling areas in which they may wish to specialize in the future.
- PSYC 444 Brain and Behaviour - This course will provide an introduction to the function of the human brain as it relates to human behaviour. Students will learn about major brain structures, systems, and the associated functions. The course will also look briefly at various brain disorders and difficulties that arise when brain functioning is not at its optimum. Time will also be spent to understand chemical influences and outcomes on brain and behaviour functioning.
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Counselling Electives Offered on a Rotation Basis:
- PSYC 440 Addictions and Codependency - A study of the addictive process, specifically as it pertains to alcohol and drug use/abuse, as well as codependency and adult children of alcoholic’s issues.
- PSYC 441 Counselling the Abused - This course is designed to study the various types of abuse, including sexual, physical, emotional spousal, and ritual abuse. Special emphasis will be given to the counselling issues relevant to adults who were abused as children.
- PSYC 442 Counselling Adolescents and Their Families - This course approaches counselling adolescents from a Pastoral Counselling and Family Systems perspective. Discussion includes family structure and dynamics, family and individual life cycles, common issues, and reactionary, preventative and educational methods to utilize with the adolescent’s family. Students also learn about the variety of issues that adolescents face in postmodern society and how to work with families to ensure that optimum family functioning is maintained.
- PSYC 444 Crisis Intervention - The course will focus on interventions for dealing with adults in specific crisis situations. Special emphasis will be given to the time limited nature of crisis intervention, legal, and ethical issues. Tools will be provided to network successfully with established community agencies.
- COUN 447 Group Counselling - This practical course includes lecture, group work, peer counselling with professor supervision and case conferencing. Students will be given guidance in how to facilitate group work, while practicing counselling skills and evaluating their counselling style.
- PSYC 444 Crisis Intervention & Conflict Management - The course will focus on interventions for dealing with adults in specific crisis situations. Special emphasis will be given to the time limited nature of crisis intervention, legal, and ethical issues. Tools will be provided to network successfully with established community agencies.
If you have any questions about programs here at Summit Pacific College,
please feel free to contact Dan 604-851-7222 or Sarah 604-851-7224
(Toll Free 1.800.976.8388) or contact us through our Information Request Form.
You may also contact the Chair of the Counselling Foundations Major, Tina Strutt,
directly at counselling@summitpacific.ca.
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