MS in Mental Health Counseling

Mental Health Counseling (MHC) Course Descriptions 

Courses within both the clinical mental health counseling and marriage and family therapy programs are taught in a face-to-face classroom format. There are some courses that are offered in blended format. For those courses offered in a blended format, five (5) class sessions are conducted online using Zoom. Courses offered in the blended format are identified on LIU’s schedule of courses, which is posted prior to registration. Thus, students will know which courses are utilizing a blended form when registering for coursework. The syllabi for blended courses are identified as such and include a course calendar informing students when they will be meeting face-to-face and when Zoom will be utilized. Practicum, Internships I and II are taught in virtual format to allow students flexibility to work at their designated practice sites.

CSP 615 Professional Issues and Ethics in Counseling (3 credits)

An overview of professional orientation and ethical practice. Introduction to the history and philosophy of the profession, professional roles and organizations, and credentialing issues and processes. An exploration of ethical standards of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and related entities and applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling.

CSP 649 Counseling Theories & Applications (3 credits)

Counseling theories and techniques and their application within a diverse society are presented.  Students will explore the major theories of counseling and psychotherapy, including psychoanalytic, person-centered, existential, reality, behavioral, cognitive, multicultural, racial identity, feminist, and family systems, amongst others. Students explore the history, philosophy, and theoretical foundations of the profession, as well as the scope of practice, credentialing, and other professional issues. Students receive an overview of the mental health counseling program, the profession, and professional competencies.

CSP 652 Human Development Across the Lifespan (3 credits)

An overview of theories of individual and family development, transitions across the lifespan, and theories of learning and personality development. This course lays the foundation for how the individual develops from conception through old age and provides insight into what the developmental factors are in normal and abnormal development with relation to socialization, cognition, and physical development. The course introduces the student to theories of learning, personality development, etiology of addictions, and addictive behaviors, and provides a general framework for understanding differing abilities and strategies for differentiated interventions. There is a focus on ethical and culturally relevant strategies for promoting resilience and optimum development and wellness across the lifespan.

CSP 654 Counseling Skills and Processes (3 credits)

Counselor characteristics and behaviors that influence helping processes are addressed. Focus is on interviewing methods, counseling skills, goal setting, treatment planning, assessment, diagnosis, documentation, and report writing.  Both direct service and consultation skills are discussed.  The importance of self-awareness and analysis toward counselor effectiveness is highlighted. This course is designed to offer a balance between theory and practice. In addition to mastering the material presented through the readings, lectures, and discussions, students will be actively engaged in the learning process through simulated clinical experiences.

CSP 659 Counseling in a Pluralistic Society (3 credits)

An exploration of the context of relationships, issues, and trends in a culturally and linguistically diverse society.  Focus on theories of identity development in multiple domains, and multicultural counseling theories and competencies.  Investigation into the nature of biases, prejudices, oppression, and discrimination and their effects. This course will provide an overview of the issues involved in social psychology as well as theories that relate to multiculturalism in our society, especially with regards to the provision of counseling services to culturally diverse clients in the community. The pre-requisites or co-requisites of CSP 615 and 654.

CSP 660A Group Work (3 credits)

An introduction to principles of group dynamics, approaches to group leadership and authority, theories and methods of group counseling.  Issues of culture, diversity, and identity in groups will be addressed.  The course also explores various psychotherapeutic techniques as they apply to decision-making, problem-solving, and resolution of conflict involving groups of people of all ages. Includes an experiential group experience of at least 10 hours and the study of different types and settings of group work, including psychoeducational groups and therapeutic groups with various clinical populations. The pre-requisites of CSP 615, 649, 652 and 654 are required as well as CSP 657A, or CSP 705, or CSP 706.

CSP 668A Assessment and Diagnosis in Counseling Diverse Populations (3 credits)

This course integrates different perspectives in individual and group assessment while providing an overview of the complex dynamics involved in the assessment and appraisal of individuals, couples, families, and groups. Students focus on the different processes involved in assessing the needs of these individuals/groups as well as the provision of counseling and the different counseling techniques. Focus on the nature and meaning of assessment, social, cultural, and linguistic factors in assessment and diagnosis, ethical issues in instrument selection, administration, and interpretation of assessments.  Review and use of DSM classification. The pre-requisites of CSP 615, 649, 652, 654 are required as well as CSP 707, or CSP 706.

CSP 682 Lifestyle & Career Development in Counseling (3 credits)

Study of the meaning of work in people's lives, career development theories, decision-making models, and programming. An exploration of the major career development theories will be presented as well as the treatment implications for counseling and psycho-educational interventions. Exploration of multiple roles and identities in career development.  Analysis of educational and career counseling processes, techniques, and resources. The pre-requisites of CSP 615, 649, 652, and 654 are required as well as CSP 705 or CSP 706.

CSP 706 Foundations of Mental Health Counseling (3 credits)

Introduction to the history, philosophy, and current trends in mental health counseling.  Exploration of the role, function, and professional identity of the mental health counselor, including issues of credentialing, collaboration, and consultation with other treatment providers. This course is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the foundations of mental health counseling, the scope of practice, and an introduction to Mental Health Counseling and Consultation approaches. The pre-requisites or Co-requisites of CSP 615, 649, 652 and 654 are required.

CSP 709 Research, Evidence-Based Practice and Program Evaluation (3 credits)

Introduction to quantitative and qualitative research methods; the use of technology and statistics, inquiry and analysis in research and program evaluation.  A review and analysis of evidence-based practices in mental health counseling with a variety of populations and clinical issues. This course is an introduction to principles, concepts, and operations that are necessary for an understanding of individual and group assessment, and of empirical research methodology; derivation of standard scores and other attributes of normative test construction; correlation; reliability; validity; presentation of data in tables and graphs; descriptive statistics and their computation; fundamentals of inferential statistics, including a comparison of mean differences by t-tests, simple analysis of variance; chi-square; individual differences and their measurement; and reading and interpreting research reports. The pre-requisites of CSP 615, 649, 652 and 654 are required as well as CSP 707 or CSP 706. Student must be active in the Mental Health Counseling or Marriage & Family Therapy plans.

CSP 712 Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology (3 credits)

This course explores the major diagnostic categories of psychopathology according to the current DSM classification system. The concept of mental health, illness, and wellbeing are explored through socio-cultural formulations utilizing the stress-diathesis and biopsychosocial spiritual models. The focus of this review includes the etiology, prevalence & incidence, signs & symptoms, and criteria for differential diagnosis. The emphasis of this review is on comparing different theoretical perspectives on each disorder, as well as reviewing the empirical literature in support of these theoretical perspectives. As a graduate-level course, this course is at an advanced level and presumes mastery of the content of an undergraduate Abnormal Psychology course. Of specific focus in this course is an emphasis on the relationship of traumatic life experiences and complex traumatic stress on the manifestation of traumatic stress-related disorders and diagnosis secondary to experienced trauma. Additionally, students will develop an understanding of disorders in terms of diagnostic features, associated features, demographic features, prevalence, course, familial pattern, differential diagnosis, and cultural contexts through case study analysis. Commonly prescribed psychopharmacological medications, including uses and side effects, are introduced and considered. The pre-requisites of CSP 615, 649, 652 and 654 are required as well as CSP 707 or CSP 706. Student must be active in the Mental Health Counseling or Marriage & Family Therapy plans.

INTERNSHIP COURSES:

CSP 661M Mental Health Counseling Practicum (100 hours) – (3 credits)

This course gives students the opportunity to integrate their academic learning and classroom interactions with practical fieldwork experiences and helps prepare them for their upcoming internship placements. Students participate in a field experience; receive individual supervision at the practicum site and group supervision in the classroom setting; practice integrating assessment and counseling techniques into case conceptualization and treatment planning, and practice documenting their interactions with clients. Students work 100 hours in a mental health setting under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional, observing and performing various direct and indirect services including but not limited to intake interviewing; individual, group, and family counseling; record keeping; attending treatment team meetings and professional development events; and engaging in testing and assessment.  A minimum of 40 hours in direct service is required.  Audiotaping, videotaping, or live supervision. Pre-requisites of CSP 615, 649, 652, 654, and 706 are all required. Pre- or Co-requisite of CSP 712 is required. Student must be active in the Mental Health Counseling plan.

CSP 665M Mental Health Counseling Internship I (300 hours) – (6 credits)

Students work 300 hours each of two semesters in a clinical setting under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional, observing and performing various direct and indirect services including but not limited to intake interviewing; individual, group, and family counseling; record keeping; attending treatment team meetings and professional development events; and engaging in testing and assessment.  A minimum of 120 hours each semester in direct service is required.  Audiotaping, videotaping, or live supervision. Eligibility for this course requires having satisfactorily completed all other coursework in the Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling program and the approval of the chair. Pre-requisites of CSP 615, 649, 652, 654, 706, 709, 712, 661M are all required. Student must be active in the Mental Health Counseling plan and requires Departmental approval. Pre- or Co-requisite of CSP 660A is required. Student must be active in the Mental Health Counseling plan.

CSP 666M Mental Health Counseling Internship II (300 hours) – (6 credits)

Students work 300 hours each of two semesters in a clinical setting under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional, observing and performing various direct and indirect services including but not limited to intake interviewing; individual, group and family counseling; record keeping; attending treatment team meetings and professional development events; and engaging in testing and assessment.  A minimum of 120 hours each semester in direct service is required.  Audiotaping, videotaping, or live supervision. Eligibility for this course requires having satisfactorily completed all other coursework in the Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling program and the approval of the chair. Pre-requisites of CSP 615, 649, 652, 654, 706, 709, 712, 661M and 665M are all required. Student must be active in the Mental Health Counseling plan and requires Departmental approval. Pre- or Co-requisite of CSP 660A is required. Student must be active in the Mental Health Counseling plan.

Students will need 4 additional Electives to meet the 60-credit requirement.

SAMPLE Elective Courses:

CSP 679 Substance Abuse & High-Risk Behavior (3 credits)

This course will provide an overview of substance use, abuse and high-risk behaviors, and the role of and their interrelatedness in the contexts of the helping professions of psychology and counseling. The course will also consider the role of trauma on the development and psychology of addiction and recovery. Substance abuse counseling theories, practices, and treatment will be explored. The pre-requisites of CSP 615, 649, 652 and 654 are required as well as CSP 657A (MFT students) or CSP 706/707.

CSP 639 Therapeutic Interventions with Diverse Children & Adolescents (3 credits)

This course provides a contextual exploration of today’s youth in the urban environment, centralizing foci on the counselor’s role as an advocate and the role of resilience in response to youth risk. Critical to this course is an intersectional analysis relative to the effect of race, ethnicity, class, gender/gender expression, sexual identity and orientation, and their ability to shape the lives of young people (ages 5-18) developing in urban communities and schools as members and learners. A focus on therapeutic interventions with children and adolescents individually, in groups, and within school, community and familial contexts to respond to early and/or complex trauma as well as to support mental health and well-being is engaged. Issues such as substance use and abuse, gang involvement, teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, the role of the media, technology and music will be discussed. The pre-requisites of CSP 615, 649, 652 and 654 are required as well as CSP 657A (MFT students) or CSP 706/707.

CSP 658 Couples Therapy (3 credits)

This course will focus on theories and practices of couple’s therapy. There will be a focus on systemic approaches to working with conflict as well as utilizing strengths and resources of the couple. Strategies in joining, assessment, intervention, and termination will be examined. Contextual issues such as sexual orientation, gender, race and class will be emphasized throughout the course. Students will be introduced to significant literature and research on couple’s therapy. The pre-requisites of CSP 615, 649, 652 and 654 are required as well as CSP 657A (MFT students) or CSP 706/707.

CSP 745 Special Topics in Counseling – Announced Every Fall & Spring (different topics) – 3 credits