This course will provide the students, with an overview of various components of the counseling profession. Students will explore their personal motivation and interest in a counseling or human services profession as well as integrate professional concepts with personal style. Emphasis is placed on the development of professional identity, therapeutic relationship, counseling theory, application, and ethics. The degree to which they perceive this experience as enhancing their personal & professional growth will largely be a function of your own goals and the initiative you assume in the class.

The student will be able to demonstrate the following competencies in the course: a. Basic understanding of the history and development of counseling. b. Basic understanding of a broad range of counseling theories. c. Basic understanding of the process of counseling from the perspective of the client. d. Basic understanding of the process of counseling from the perspective of the counselor. e. Ability to recognize feelings as distinguished from content. f. Ability to respond sensitively to the experience of others. g. Increased personal and professional awareness. h. Increased understanding of personal dynamics that may affect effectiveness as a counselor or human services professional.