EDPS 602: Counselling Theory & Professional Practice
Key Learning:
Understanding of the basics of several approaches to psychotherapy, their theoretical basis, history, strengths and limitations. |
Practical Applications:
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EDPS 604: Professional Ethics in Applied Psychology
Key Learning:
Familiarity with ethical principles, professional codes of ethics, professional and social responsibilities and legal requirements in counselling. |
Practical Applications:
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EDPS 624: Cultural & Social Justice Issues in Counselling
Key Learning:
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Practical Applications:
Cultural considerations were given to all clients at my placement, however they are of particular importance with my lesbian, gay and bisexual clients, and international students from China, Qatar, Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. Inquiring about salient aspects of a client's cultural identity and considering them in case conceptualization and interventions. Remembering that a client may not see an aspect of their identity as salient to their counselling work (i.e.: lesbian may not see sexual orientation to be a factor in her challenges). Discussing themes of power, gender and oppression with survivors of sexual assault. |
EDPS 622A/B: Developing & Sustaining a Working Alliance
Key Learning:
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Practical Applications:
Using microskills in session to begin developing rapport. Reflections, paraphrasing and summaries are often more effective than questions to facilitate client self-exploration. Being truly present, in the moment, with clients is powerful in the therapeutic process. |
EDPS 610: Research Methodology in Counselling
Key Learning:
EDPS 646: Processes of Learning
Key Learning:
If behavior is learned, it has implications for the counselling process. It suggests that we can do things to teach our client to avoid negative behaviors - even possibly depression (Chance, 2010; Seligman & Maier, 1967). Understand the relationship between information processing, aggression, resilience, self-regulation and executive function. Failure of self-regulation/executive function are linked to depression, OCD and ADHD (Berger, 2011; Fossati, Ergis, & Allilaire, 2002). Concentrated study on MBCT. |
Practical Applications:
Research on topics including anxiety, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, self-harm behavior, and Borderline Personality Disorder, have directly influenced interventions I have used during my practicum. Knowledge gained via literature review of transgender issues has helped inform my work at my practicum site. Practical Applications: Teaching clients to self-regulate through DBT strategies like self-soothing and distress tolerance to help reduce psychological symptoms. Using strategies geared specifically at EF improvement like problem identification, brainstorming solutions, organizing tasks into manageable chunks. Discussions about schemas, attachment patters, maladaptive thinking as things we have "learned" throughout our lives. |
EDPS 664: Psychological Approaches to Health
Key Learning:
A biopsychosocial model for mental health/illness is an alternative to biomedical model. There is a constant interplay between biological, psychological, and social systems within an individual (Sarafino & Smith, 2011). Stages of Change Model and how it applies to client change in counselling. Through self-change project, I experienced the challenges, frustrations and complexity of change. EDPS 616 A/B: Assessment Theories & Practices
Key Learning:
How assessment is used in counselling. Basic statistical measurements (i.e.: validity, reliability). Initial assessment procedures in counselling, including suicide risk assessment Types of assessment: Intelligence, ability, interests/values, personality, etc... EDPS 638 A/B: Counselling Interventions & Client Change
Key Learning:
Constructing, contextualizing, & evaluating treatment goals. Clinical decision making & treatment planning. Cognitive change strategies |
Practical Applications: A biopsychosocial approach allows me to take a more holistic view of my clients and their challenges. Use Stages of Change Model frequently in session by meeting client at the stage they are at, and using motivational interviewing to inspire movement to next phase. Self-change project experience bolsters my empathy for clients who are struggling to make changes and facilitates accurate reflections of affect and meaning. Practical Applications: Performing initial intake interviews. Doing suicide-risk assessment interviews in session. Practical Applications:
Ability to match interventions to client goals. Understanding how to use content & process to foster self-exploration. Application of several interventions during sessions at practicum. |
EDPS 644/644: COUNSELLING PRACTICUM 1 & 2
Key Learnings:
Integration of theory and skills. Case planning. Characteristics of supervisory relationship. Collaboration and consultation skills (i.e.: peer supervision groups). |
Practical Applications:
Application of theory and skills. Case planning for clients at site. Understanding supervisory relationship and using it to utmost. |
References:
Berger, A. (2011). Self-Regulation: Brain, Cognition, and Development. Washington, DC: American Psychology Association.
Chance, P. (2010). Learning & Behavior: Active Learning Edition, 5th Ed. Toronto, ON: Nelson Education Ltd.
Fields, A.J. (2010). Multicultural research and practice: Theoretical issues and maximizing cultural exchange. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 41(3), 196-201.
Fossati, P., Ergis, A.M., & Allilaire, J.F. (2002). Executive function in unipolar depression: A review. Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Sarafino, E.P., & Smith, T.W. (2011). Health Psychology: Biopsychosocial interactions, 7th ed. USA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Seligman, M.E.P., & Maier, S.F. (1967). Failure to escape traumatic shock. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 74, 1-9.
Berger, A. (2011). Self-Regulation: Brain, Cognition, and Development. Washington, DC: American Psychology Association.
Chance, P. (2010). Learning & Behavior: Active Learning Edition, 5th Ed. Toronto, ON: Nelson Education Ltd.
Fields, A.J. (2010). Multicultural research and practice: Theoretical issues and maximizing cultural exchange. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 41(3), 196-201.
Fossati, P., Ergis, A.M., & Allilaire, J.F. (2002). Executive function in unipolar depression: A review. Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Sarafino, E.P., & Smith, T.W. (2011). Health Psychology: Biopsychosocial interactions, 7th ed. USA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Seligman, M.E.P., & Maier, S.F. (1967). Failure to escape traumatic shock. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 74, 1-9.