JANET BACHANT'S PERSONAL WEB SITE

B. LEARNING ACTIVITIES

The student will participate in a study group to discuss counseling theory and practice with special focus on cognitive/behavioral and psychodynamic approaches to treatment. Students will read a text from each perspective as well as supplementary reading. Students will develop an overview of the skills inherent in the counseling process and the way in which early emotional development structures dynamics in relation to the self and others. The importance of the therapeutic relationship in developing effective engagement will be explored in depth. The centrality of personal understanding and reflection to the counseling process will be emphasized through discussion with the mentor, other students, role playing and experiential reports the student will be asked to submit. Student will develop an appreciation of the complexity of the counseling process and a beginning awareness of internal strengths and areas that warrant further development. All annotated written work is to be given to the mentor by the last meeting and will be returned to the student.

Specific Learning activities include:

• Read Young, M.E. (1998). Learning the Art of Helping: Building Blocks and Techniques. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall. ISBN: 013111753X
• Read Viorst, J. (1986). Necessary Losses: The loves, illusions, dependencies, and impossible expectations that all of us have to give up in order to grow. New York: Fireside (Simon and Schuster). ISBN: 0684844958
• Read other handouts as directed by the professor.
• Active discussion of readings in the study and practical application of concepts with mentor and other group members.
• Note thoughts and feelings relating to this study. You might want to keep a private journal. Identify fears and moments of success. Especially note anxieties and frustrations and bring them into the study for discussion.
• Completion of Stop and Reflect sections of the text.
• Written question, comment or reflection for each week of the study to be submitted each week.
• Completion of a comparison Study Table.
• Participation in a final debate/discussion on differences in handling case material.
• Completion of a final reflection on the study itself: Possible areas to be addressed include "What have I learned? What was most important/exciting/distressing? What further questions has this study raised for me? What has it taught me about myself?

C. METHOD AND CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION
Evaluation will be based on participation in the study group, completion and quality of the learning activities demonstrating grasp of the concepts and their importance in structuring an effective counseling situation.