• Education
• School of Applied Behavioral Science
• Center for Leadership Studies
• Admissions
• Costs/Financial Aid
• Faculty
• Student Handbook
• Frequently Asked Questions

Student Handbook: Systems Counseling Course Descriptions

Students in the Systems Counseling (SC) track complete these courses in addition to the Core Track courses to fulfill the requirements of the Master of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science degree.

BH5135 Professional Ethics and Laws (3 credits)

This course continues through the two years of the counseling curriculum, and is designed to provide a foundation in values based on thinking along with an overview of ethics and the law for the counseling practitioner. Emphasis is placed on a personal integration and professional understanding of the legal, ethical, and values based on parameters of the counseling profession. Teaching methods will include didactic and experiential formats and case application.

BH5200 Human Development and Life Cycle (3 credits)

Credits vary by quarter for a total of three. This course examines the stages and cycles in child, adolescent and adult development across the life span, giving attention to how personality is shaped within multicultural contexts. The biopsychosocial model is emphasized as a means of understanding how the whole self develops within a systems perspective. Normal and abnormal manifestations of development across the life span are explored with a particular emphasis on the development of strength and resiliency. The development and functioning of human sexuality as well as spirituality within the life cycle are reviewed.

BH5205 Models of Understanding Problem Behavior (3 credits)

Credits vary by quarter for a total of three. This course examines problem human behavior along with the major philosophical, cultural and clinical assumptions behind the definition and interpretation of behavior. Interpreting the meaning and messages embedded within human behavior is accented as a means of understanding the person. Specific theories of understanding behavior are addressed, including psychodynamic, gestalt and cognitive-behavioral. The systemic view that the meaning of human behavior is best understood in the context of a larger system is underscored. Attention is given to understanding and developing skill in using the conventional categories of psychopathology as outlined in the DSM IV in professional communication. Sexual abuse and chemical abuse and dependency are addressed.

BH5210 Methods of Systemic Assessment and Diagnosis (3 credits)

Credits vary by quarter for a total of three. Major theoretical approaches to a psychological understanding of individuals, couples and families from a systemic orientation are studied. Particular emphasis is placed on examining interactional and intergenerational contexts. Students are familiarized with methods of gathering personal and interpersonal information, including interviewing clients. The relationship system between the practitioner and the client is emphasized as the context for understanding assessment and diagnosis.

In this course students examine seminal studies in marriage and family therapy literature. An overview of the critical factors in analyzing and evaluating data-based research is given. Emphasis is placed on achieving a basic understanding of experimental design and the clinical implications that can be drawn from generated data.

BH6205 Professional Studies (2 credits)

Credits vary by quarter for a total of two. This course focuses on the development of a systemic professional perspective and identity. Ethical and legal issues encountered by the counselor are emphasized. A general orientation to the mental health field, the role of the systems counselor and consultant, counseling agencies, larger health care systems and private practice are explored. Students are oriented to current issues in the field and familiarized with professional socialization and the role of professional organizations, licensure/certification, legal responsibilities and liability, and inter-professional cooperation.

BH6210 Human Sexuality (1 credit)

This course provides an overview of normal and abnormal sexual behavior across the life span. Content includes the sexual response cycle, sexual health and dysfunction in couples, and the range of clinical symptoms encountered by the family therapist. Attention is given to assessment for either referral to a specialist or treatment in the context of the couple relationship.

BH6215 Systemic Theory and Process (2 credits)

Credits vary by quarter for a total of two. This course is a fundamental introduction to systemic thinking and the systems approach to intervention with individuals, couples, families, small groups and larger organizations. The evolution of psychotherapy and the development of the systemic approach within that history are explored. The systemic approach examines the multiple contexts critical to assessment and intervention with clients from individuals to larger cultural contexts. Critical multicultural issues currently impacting family life are addressed.

Credits vary by quarter for a total of four. The focus of this course is on the major systemic orientations and procedures for working with couples and families. Theoretical models include the structural, strategic, experiential, communications, contextual and solution-focused approaches with the intergenerational perspective as the undergirding model. Videotape presentations by major theorists, case presentations and simulations are used to illustrate the various theories in practice. Live demonstrations are used to illustrate these models. By viewing each individual as a “personal narrative” and the family as a “group story,” psychotherapy is taught as the art of using language skillfully. Students are assisted in crafting the skillful use of language in psychotherapy. Emphasis is placed on integrating principles from a variety of systemic approaches as the students craft their own perspectives.

BH6225 Systemic Practicum (5 credits)

Credits vary by quarter for a total of five. This course uses an intensive, experiential format throughout the entire curriculum to assist students in examining their own family of origin and the development of the “self of the therapist” and in using leadership skills to intervene with individuals, couples, families, groups and larger organizations. Role-plays, simulations, videotape feedback and small group work are used extensively to help students develop and refine their clinical skills.

BH6800 Counseling Internship (15 credits)

Credits vary by quarter for a total of 15. This four-quarter, sequenced 600 hour or more counseling internship includes 150 client contact hours in a minimum nine-month internship. It is designed to provide students with supervised, practical experience in the field of mental health counseling. The internship is also intended to help students relate clinical practice to other professional concerns including legal and ethical issues, multicultural diversity, collaborating with other health care providers and conducting clinical practice within the larger system of courts, educational institutions, government, community agencies and professional organizations.

Upon its completion, students write a counseling internship paper in which they discuss their theoretical orientation toward counseling, present a case study, summarize their learnings and discuss their professional goals. The counseling internship is designed to meet the requirements of the state of Washington for certification as a mental health counselor.

Credits vary by quarter for a total of three. This course is concurrent with the student’s clinical internship and serves as an adjunct to the student’s internship experience. The focus during this year-long small group experience is on developing clinical skills, examining ethical and legal issues, themes within the student’s clinical work, relationships with other professionals and organizations and the student’s development as a person and as a professional.

BH6702 Lifelong Sexual Health (2 credits, elective)

Sexuality is viewed as a lifelong process involving biological, psychological and social aspects of being human. Sexual health is emphasized as part of general health and well being. Students explore ten different sexuality themes including aging, sexual dysfunction, sexual diversity, the sex industry and making referrals. Diverse points of view regarding the meaning of sexuality to individuals and society are explored. Students consider cultural and socioeconomic perspectives from their own life experiences. Explicit language and educational materials are used with the goal of increasing students' skills and comfort level for examining and communicating about sexuality in their personal and professional lives.