Courses

This course will cover the assessment and treatment of major psychopathologies of the DSM – 5. Students will gain familiarity with the DSM, and alternative approaches to psychological distress. Students will learn about various diagnostic techniques and some psychological assessment tools relevant to the disorders studied. MFT specific assessment perspectives and practices will be covered within the course, and psychopharmacological treatment of the different disorders will also be addressed. The role of spirituality in psychological dysfunction and well-being will be explored.

This course provides students with an understanding of clinical research methods and design. Additionally, this course addresses the relevance of research to students’ clinical work. Students will investigate existing research and research methods used in MFT, including quantitative and qualitative and mixed methods designs. Ethical issues and considerations in research will also be addressed, as well as learning to critically evaluate existing research. A primary aim of this course is to help students become evidence-based practitioners and navigate how to critically evaluate current research.

This course introduces the theory and practice of multicultural counselling and family therapy including various aspects of diversity: identity formation, race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, spirituality, ability/disability, and aging. Students will have the opportunity to explore their own culturally informed belief systems, values, and practices. Research and class content will focus on knowledge and understanding worldviews that underlie client behavior, relationships, and resources. Ethical issues and culturally sensitive therapeutic approaches will be explored. Emphasis will be placed on integration of personal awareness, theoretical knowledge, and contextual clinical competencies. Open to counselling/family therapy students, as well as chaplaincy and cross-cultural ministry students.

An advanced course in Marital and Family Therapy, the course will focus on theories of family therapy, practical application of theory to therapy situations, clinical skill building and spiritual issues as they relate to Marriage and Family Therapy. It is assumed that students have had prior learning of Systems Theory. Students will be required to actively participate in the learning modules. Students will be required to apply the concepts learned to personal and group projects. Issues that are related to diversity and power and privilege as they relate to the areas of age, gender, sexual orientation, health/ability, culture, SES, spirituality, and ethnicity will also be addressed.

This course provides students with an introduction to group theory and acquisition of group leadership skills. Also included will be group development, ethical considerations, and the use of groups in church, parachurch and community mental health settings. The course will be taught from a relational/systems perspective. Using key theories of group counseling and family systems models, the class will explore attachment issues, recapitulation of family of origin in the group, boundary setting, and other individual/relational dynamics that occur in group work. The course includes an in-class group experience for facilitation skill building and person of the therapist development.

This course examines the major legal and ethical issues involved in the practice of therapy. Special attention is given to the American Association of Marriage and Family ethical standards, the laws of British Columbia regarding the practice of therapy, uniquely to Christian perspectives and responsibilities. Issues that are related to diversity and power and privilege as they relate to the areas of indigenous culture and history, age, gender, sexual orientation, health/ability, culture, SES, spirituality, and ethnicity will also be addressed.

As an advanced course in Marital and Family Therapy, MFT670 will focus on the systemic issues and treatment of couples and families addressing essential topics like divorce, remarriage, stepfamily and blended family issues, severe illness and death, sexuality, and intimacy as well as violence and sexual abuse. Issues that are related to diversity and power and privilege as they relate to the areas of age, gender, sexual identity, health/ability, culture, SES, spirituality, and ethnicity will also be addressed.

This course provides students with clinical understanding regarding substance use, addictions and domestic violence offering a trauma-informed assessment and treatment. Students will learn to appreciate the complexity of substance use disorders, diversity of care, and providing informed referrals to evidence-based support services. They will learn to conceptualize and treat families in crisis in a systemic way, promoting recovery, safety, wellness, and harm reduction to improve care and support for those with substance use and addiction. The course will also emphasize understanding trauma and domestic violence and focus on conceptualization, assessment, treatment planning and appropriate referrals.