Program Description
The Child and Adolescent Treatment Concentration, offered in our Counseling Psychology master's program, is designed to provide specific education in the area of the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents. The goal is to prepare students to work as entry-level practitioners capable of effectively working with children representing the full age spectrum, from early childhood through adolescence. The emphasis of this concentration is on developing a conceptual and experiential background in working with the mental health needs of these vulnerable populations within a wide range of familial and cultural life styles.
Students in the Counseling Psychology M.A. program will benefit from the a practitioner-focused curriculum taught in both a classroom environment as well as real-world settings. Through these outstanding out-of-classroom experiences, students will interact with Chicago's diverse population of young people in a dynamic urban environment. This real-world training will provide students with an active learning experience they can use as the foundation for their future work. Our graduate programs in Counseling Psychology teach students research methodologies necessary in their field, as well as critically evaluate that research as it relates to the Clinical Psychology.
The M.A. in Counseling Psychology is designed in accordance with licensure requirements in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and Delaware, and can be adjusted to conform with the requirements for licensure in other nearby states in the region.
Department
Clinical Counseling
Concentrations
Licensure
Washington, D.C., program is designed in accordance with licensure requirements in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware and can be adjusted to conform with the requirements for licensure in other nearby states in the region
Total Credits
60
Fieldwork Requirements
• Year 2: 700-hour (minimum) placement experience
Sample Courses
Psychotherapy with Adolescents
Examines the relevant therapeutic and developmental considerations encountered in psychotherapy with adolescents. In addition to a survey of the major theoretical approaches and the basic techniques of psychotherapy with adolescents, topics considered include working with parents and schools, the importance of the context of referral, and treatment and the relationship between the adolescent's developmental stage and therapeutic activities and goals.
Advanced Family and Couples Therapy
Provides an overview of advanced theory and technique, as well as skills training in family and couples therapy with an emphasis on the development of a personal model of counseling. Diagnostic skills, case analysis, and relationship strategies are emphasized. Particular attention is paid to engaging children and adolescents in the family therapy setting. The course also explores the impact of macro systems issues such as gender, power, and economics on contemporary relationships.
Psychotherapy of Children
Examines the relevant therapeutic and developmental considerations encountered in psychotherapy with children. In addition to a survey of the major theoretical approaches and the basic techniques of psychotherapy with children, topics considered include working with parents and schools, the importance of the context of referral, and treatment and the relationship between the child's developmental stage and therapeutic activities and goals.
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