Courses

Examination of paradigms and developments in professional ethics. This course builds on the 184 professional ethics training infused throughout the curriculum, including topics in legal issues, family therapy, professional psychology and counselling, consultation, and client advocacy. International developments are addressed in professional mobility and regulations, competency standards, and multicultural contexts of professional standards. Emphasis is placed on fostering student proficiency in navigating licensure requirements and fostering accountability in professional practice.

Current theories and treatments of addictive behaviour are reviewed, and the impact of addiction upon family systems and other relationships is particularly stressed. Content includes reviews of the effects of mood-altering substances on the body, and therapy modalities for both chemical and process addictions. Co-occurring disorders are addressed, and students are introduced to agency settings where addiction treatment is offered.

A survey of recently developed assessments and treatments for psychological trauma and dissociation, especially sequelae of domestic violence, sexual abuse and sexual assault. Trauma-related disorders include: PTSD, Complex PTSD, Dissociative Disorders, Somatoform Disorders, Eating Disorders, and Substance Abuse Disorders. The neuroscience of psychological trauma, along with relational, cultural, and sociological influences, is also discussed.

Students are expected to successfully formulate and articulate informed and integrative judgments about a range of ethical and professional practice questions encountered in counselling psychology.

For students who want to explore academic areas of special interest not provided in the existing curriculum. These areas must be related to the discipline of Counselling Psychology. Students normally take a maximum of one directed study per semester. A maximum of three directed study courses may be applied to completion of the M.A. degree.

For students who want to explore academic areas of special interest not provided in the existing curriculum. These areas must be related to the discipline of Counselling Psychology. Students normally take a maximum of one directed study per semester. A maximum of three directed study courses may be applied to completion of the M.A. degree

An in-depth examination of special topics or issues in counselling psychology.

Exploration of topics such as the significance of culture, migration, social class, race, language, and ethnicity for human health and well-being. This course builds on multicultural counselling and diversity awareness principles infused throughout the master’s program. Both theory and interventions for addressing bicultural identity development, advocacy, acculturation stress, and barriers to help-seeking and counselling effectiveness. Critical appropriation of professional literature, competencies models, and intersections with other aspects of diversity are emphasized.

An introduction to principles of pharmacology and the use of pharmacological agents for the treatment of psychological and neuropsychiatric conditions. Reviews basic physiological and biological aspects of psychopathology. The course does not prepare a student for the practice of pharmacology. However, it does enhance the student's ability to communicate more effectively with physicians and assist them in participating in multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary settings.