HSCF - Human Services Counseling Florida

This course presents an overview of principles, techniques, and methods essential in establishing an effective counseling relationship. Specific skills, competencies, and concepts related to counseling are studied and an ongoing experiential component provides opportunity to practice these developing skills. In addition to basic skills and techniques, there is a focus on self-awareness and insight. Students learn to better understand themselves as individuals and how to use that awareness when working with clients. As students gain more self-awareness, increased insight, and counseling skills, they are better prepared to become effective counselors.

This course examines counseling within the broader context of human development and the range of experiences individuals bring to the counseling relationship. Students explore how variations in life experiences, developmental pathways, family systems, communities, and social environments influence client needs and counseling outcomes. Coursework emphasizes the use of ethically sound, evidence-based assessments and interventions that take into account each client’s unique background, values, and circumstances. Students reflect on how their own professional perspectives and interpersonal approaches influence the counseling process and develop strategies for providing effective, lawful, and ethically grounded services across a wide range of client presentations.

This course expands interviewing skills and techniques through extended practice sessions with one client, relevant readings, examination of case materials, and written exercises. The focus is placed on advanced skills of interviewing, with emphasis on development and integration of individual style and technique.

This course will provide an overview of the DSM V and how it can be used for purposes of assessment and diagnosis of the individual client. The student will learn the characteristics of various personality disorders and how to assess these disorders within the parameters of the helping interview.

This course explores the theoretical models and concepts of family therapy. The systemic dynamics and developmental stages of the family are examined within the context of cultural and societal factors. Students reflect on how the historical and current experiences in their own families influence their perspective on the structure and functioning of families in our society. Students use case studies and simulated family scenarios to apply various approaches to family therapy.

Introduces students to principles and methods of social research and prepares students to appropriately apply these skills in the conduct of program evaluation and other program management applications. Emphasis will be placed on the research context for decision making in the planning, design, analysis and reporting of applied research.

This course introduces and examines several theories of human growth, development, and regression, exploring the entire lifespan. Students examine various philosophical perspectives as to their implications for counseling. They further analyze developmental behaviors associated with stages of development, environmental and disruptive influences upon development, and responses of mental health services and practitioners. Other topics covered in this course include normal and abnormal human behavior and development, including psychological, sociological, moral, and physical factors.

Theories of counseling and psychotherapy will be introduced and explored. Students will examine philosophical stance, therapeutic assumptions, and strategic interventions relative to the major schools of thought. Effective characteristics of helping relationships in a multicultural society will be explored. The relationship between counseling theories and evidence-based outcomes will be highlighted.

This course is an orientation to the issues and ethics in the field of professional counseling. Students learn about the different types of counseling settings including public schools and a variety of clinical mental health agencies. The course also focuses on learning and applying the American Counseling Association's Standards of Care and Code of Ethics. Case samples of ethical decision-making, role plays, and personal reflection are emphasized. The requirements for national certification and state licensing are also covered during the course.

This course provides an overview of group types, dynamics, leadership, theories and techniques in group counseling. Specific skills, competencies and concepts related to group counseling are applied through an on-going experiential component.

This course presents an overview of the concepts, theories, history, practices and techniques of career counseling as applied in various settings. In addition, the course reviews the use of occupational classification systems, tests and computer technology in counseling. Counseling special populations, ethical practice, and career counselor identity are woven throughout the course.

This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of psychological assessment for the counseling field. Students review the history, principles, and current methods of psychological assessment with a focus on their applied use in counseling practice. Students explore selected psychological instruments and their basic relevant statistics, reliability, validity, and use of norms. They further discuss the role of the clinical interview and psychological testing (construction, administration, and interpretation), as well as ethical practices in assessment.

This course explores the various aspects of human sexual behavior and counseling issues related to sexuality. The biological, psychological, social, emotional, and developmental aspects of human sexual behavior are studied. Specific techniques and approaches to sexuality counseling are applied to case studies. The complexity of sexual behavior is emphasized, and other dynamics and related factors are also explored. Special topics, including sexually transmitted disease, cultural influences, societal norms, ethical issues, family planning, substance abuse, aging, sexual disorder and sexual deviancy, are considered. The expected student outcome is the ability to apply knowledge about sexuality counseling to a variety of case studies, to analyze the case studies fully, and to recommend appropriate treatment plans. This course is required for licensure in Mental Health Counseling by the Florida Department of Health.

This course will introduce students to clinical mental health counseling by familiarizing them with the roles of the clinical mental health counselor, program development, and clinical mental health counseling models and processes. Students will learn about counselors as changes agents, client advocates, outreach specialists, consultants, and preventative educators, and they will review the effects of public policy, managed care, and other social issues on counseling practice.

Integrate counseling knowledge and competencies in an approved field placement setting. Apply professional, entry-level counseling skills needed to work with clientele. Complete a minimum of 100 hours (40 of which must be direct client contact) over a minimum of a full ten-week academic term. Engage in assessment of skills (through recording or live observation of counseling sessions), competencies, and professional development under the supervision of qualified site and university supervisors.

All students enrolled in the Florida Counseling Masters Degree programs are expected to achieve a required number of practicum/internship experience and supervision hours. When extenuating circumstances occur that deter a student from achieving the required number of hours within normal time parameters, a student may be able to continue accumulating hours and attending mandated university supervision for additional terms. The Practicum Continuation is a continuation of HSC 533 and the course awards no academic credit, but allows a student to remain a registered student of the university while completing their practicum hour requirements.

This course develops knowledge and skills in the application of counseling theory and techniques in a school setting. Focus is on developmental counseling curriculum, academic program planning, motivation, consultation, collaboration, and referral. Current issues and practices are highlighted.

This course provides an overview of substance use issues, including: understanding the substance use experience of the user and the impact of substance use disorder on the family and the larger community; assessment of substance use from abuse to dependence; historical aspects of use and of treatment, including the current treatment delivery system; etiology with particular emphasis on application to the counseling process; 12-step groups and their role in counseling individuals with substance use problems; prevention efforts to reduce alcohol/drug problems.

This course will present counseling theories and approaches which effectively address crises and trauma. The course will examine the impact of trauma and crisis and potential neurobiological responses. Students will gain knowledge and skills useful in assessing and intervening in crises and explore the application of these skills in addressing specific situations such as: suicide, homicide, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, natural disasters and terrorism in both community and school settings. Self-care strategies will also be presented.

This course provides an introduction to the basic neurobiology of psychopathology and how psychotropic medications treat such conditions. An understanding of the basic classifications, indications, and contraindications of commonly prescribed psychopharmacological medications will be identified. An emphasis is placed on the role of the counselor as a member of a treatment team who helps facilitate client treatment compliance and monitors the efficacy and side effect manifestations of psychotropic treatment, while helping to integrate that treatment with other nonpharmacological modalities.

This course provides specialized knowledge and skills training in counseling individual children and adolescents through examination of theoretical, behavioral, and play therapy techniques. A strong emphasis will be on helping students understand how the developmental stages of children and adolescents relate to counseling approaches, appropriate assessments, and interventions. Throughout the course, the students will discuss influences on individual development, assessment, counseling interventions, and other contextual relationships.

This course will assist students in learning how to successfully develop and maintain a psychotherapy private practice. Topics covered will include creating a business plan, marketing strategies for private practice, clinical forms, insurance billing and HIPAA requirements.

This course is designed to increase understanding of counseling work with children utilizing various Play Therapy models. The course will assist those who work with children to understand the relationship of toys and play to language and therapy, explore the major theories of play therapy, develop skills and techniques to use in a play therapy setting, develop an awareness of what children see and experience from their perspective, gain expertise in responding to children, enhance the child's self-awareness and self-understanding, and develop understanding of selection of specific toys and room set-up for play therapy.

This course is designed for the study of grief and loss counseling. Though loss is a normal part of living, many clients may be unaware that their symptoms are related to unresolved loss. This course will help counseling students to identify the potential connection between a client's symptoms and unresolved loss and to provide effective treatment. The process of mourning, models of grief counseling and grief therapy will be presented and analyzed to promote greater understanding of how to facilitate bereavement in uncomplicated grief and how to conduct psychotherapy with clients with complicated grief.

This course is an overview of the field of Geriatric Counseling. The course provides students with information on adult development and the aging process. The course explores ways professional counselors can help the elderly and their families. This course immerses students in a biopsychosocial perspective of adult development and aging. It orients them to mental health issues of the elderly, diagnosis and treatment planning and unique counseling strategies for this population.

This course provides an overview of the various models of spiritual and religious development that can be integrated into the counseling setting. Students learn the difference between spiritual and religious beliefs and teachings and their influence on the counseling process. A broad range of views are explored in order to be effective with diverse religious and spiritual beliefs and practices. Students develop an understanding of how to work competently and ethically within the spiritual and religious domain.

Students may enroll in Comprehensive Exam when they complete all coursework required to take the Comprehensive Exam as defined by their program of study. No credit hours are earned, but enrollment allow students to maintain a less than half-time active enrollment status for up to one quarter while taking Comprehensive Exams. It also creates a transcript record, reflecting enrollment for the Comprehensive Examination and the ultimate outcome of all attempts with a final grade of "Credit" or "No Credit."

Integrate counseling knowledge and competencies in an approved field placement setting. Apply professional skills needed to work with clientele from varying backgrounds and site personnel. Complete the first 300 (120 of which must be direct client contact) of the required 600 internship hours. Engage in assessment of skills, competencies, and professional development under the supervision of qualified site and university supervisors.

Integrate counseling knowledge and competencies in an approved field placement setting. Apply professional skills needed to work with clientele from varying backgrounds and site personnel. Complete the remaining 300 (120 of which must be direct client contact) of the required 600 internship hours. Engage in assessment of skills, competencies, and professional development under the supervision of qualified site and university supervisors.

All students enrolled in the Florida Counseling Masters Degree programs are expected to achieve a required number of practicum/internship experience and supervision hours. When extenuating circumstances occur that deter a student from achieving the required number of hours within normal time parameters, a student may be able to continue accumulating hours and attending mandated university supervision for additional terms. The Internship & Supervision Continuation course awards no academic credit, but allows a student to remain a registered student of the university while completing their internship & supervision hour requirements.

A required in-person residency experience focusing on student engagement and deep interaction in applying learning concepts.