The M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) consists of 60 credit hours of course work and supervised clinical training to prepare students in the requisite knowledge, skills, multicultural competence, and self-awareness required of professional counselors.

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TCSPP is accredited by The Council of Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The program utilizes the CACREP Standards as core learning outcomes and incorporates the eight content areas outlined by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). 

I gained experience and training in general counseling competencies such as ethics, research, diagnosis, theories, career development, multicultural diversity, and counseling interventions. I have received counseling training specific to grief, substance use, and trauma to better prepare me for a wide range of mental health presentations. I feel prepared seeking my professional counselor licensure and begin professional practice after passing

these courses:

 

CM 500 - Introduction to the Counseling Profession and Ethics 

This course introduces students to professional and practice aspects in counseling. Students will examine the historical, philosophical, and social context of the field as it developed. The course examines the professional, ethical, and legal issues related to the practice of professional counseling. Topics addressed include ACA Code of Ethics content such as informed consent, client rights, and malpractice as well as other regulations influencing the practice of counseling. The course also examines the major decision-making models used for resolving ethical dilemmas. Relevant statutes and laws in the State of Illinois and other states are also reviewed. This course includes a lab to augment placement, professionalization, and advisement activities.

 

CM 507 - Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy

The course reviews basic theories, principles, and techniques of counseling and psychotherapy, as well as applications to a variety of therapeutic settings. The course also focuses on personal theory construction, bias embedded in theory, and cultural diversity.

 

CM 514 - Diagnosis of Mental Health Issues

This course addresses the general principles of etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders. Major definitions and descriptions of psychological phenomena as categorized and classified by the DSM diagnostic system are covered. This course includes models of mental status assessment as well as the application of how cultural factors influence mental health. The impact of crises, disasters, and other trauma-causing events on people and the appropriate use of diagnosis during a crisis, disaster, or other trauma-causing event will be discussed. 

 

CM 521 - Lifespan Development

This course examines typical development from infancy through advanced age, focusing on the development of perceptual and cognitive processes, psychosocial roles, and familial interpersonal processes. Current clinical approaches are examined from diverse theoretical viewpoints and considering recent research findings. Cultural diversity and individual differences are integral to this course.

 

CM 528 - Helping Relationships & Skill Development in Counseling

This course provides a comprehensive knowledge base of essential counseling and interviewing processes in a multicultural society, including the development of basic listening and attending skills. Counseling methods and strategies, and counselor self-awareness are integrated into the course. Online Only: Requires in-person residency, which is held during course.

 

CM 530 - Treatment Planning 

This course advances the student’s knowledge and abilities in counseling, diagnostic, and treatment skills, including crisis intervention, suicide ideation, and mental status exams. The course examines the treatment of mental and emotional disorders, including the development of a treatment plan, reporting and assessing progress, appropriate referral procedures, formulating SMART goals, and cultural diversity and individual differences. Students utilize core principles of evidence-based practices in developing, delivering, and assessing behavioral health treatment planning and interventions. The course will also review classifications, indications, and contraindications of commonly prescribed psychopharmacological medications for appropriate medical referral and consultation.

 

CM 536 - Couples and Family Counseling 

This survey course presents family systems and its major theories and practice. Couple and family lifecycle dynamics will be addressed as well as issues impacting healthy family functioning and development in a diverse society. Other relevant theories covered.

 

CM 543 - Group Theories and Processes of Counseling

This course provides the foundation for understanding theory, dynamics, principles and techniques of group therapy and counseling. Throughout the course students are exposed to various models for conducting therapeutic groups with diverse populations. Students participate in experiential practice of group process during the course. 

 

CM 550 - Diversity & Multiculturalism 

Recognizing that becoming practitioner who has cultural humility is a lifelong endeavor, this course serves as a foundation upon which continued personal and professional development in diversity may be built. Students examine Self as a sociocultural being and identify the impact of their own worldviews, cultural privilege, and biases on cross-cultural interactions. This course addresses the psychological, socio-political, historical, and economic influences on various aspects of social identity, including but not limited to, gender, ethnicity, religion, class, race, immigrant status, disability, and sexual orientation. Students then examine how social identity influences mental and physical health, health literacy, health beliefs, and perceptions of health care providers. Students examine a variety of behavioral health care provider roles, including advocating for and encouraging culturally appropriate care; facilitating client engagement to optimize effectiveness and client satisfaction; and heightening awareness and sensitivity to the relevance of individual and cultural diversity among integrative team members. The course will be presented in both didactic and experiential formats with a focus on self-awareness and students will be expected to actively engage in interdependent and reflective learning.

 

CM 564 - Career Development & Counseling 

This course provides an understanding of career development theories and decision-making models, occupational educational information sources and systems, assessment instruments and techniques relevant to career planning and decision making, career, lifestyle, and leisure counseling, guidance and education, career development, program planning, resources, and effectiveness evaluation.

 

CM 571 - Assessment of Individuals

This course introduces the student to psychological evaluation and its role in the counseling relationship. It provides the student with a strong foundation in understanding and communicating clinical assessment data. The course will review basic concepts of standardized and non-standardized testing and other assessment techniques including norm-referenced and criterion-referenced assessment, environmental assessment, intellectual assessment, individual and group test and inventory methods, behavioral observations, and computer-managed and computer-assisted methods. Attention will be given to understanding strategies for selecting, administering, and interpreting assessment and evaluation instruments and techniques in counseling. 

 

CM 578 - Methods of Research & Program Evaluation

In this course, students examine experimental and quasi-experimental research design at both the conceptual and applied levels. Areas of emphasis include quantitative and qualitative methodology (research design, data collection, analysis and interpretation); basic statistical analyses; program evaluation; and critical appraisal of published research. Students discuss and utilize ethical and culturally-relevant strategies for interpreting and reporting results of research and program evaluation within the context of mental health.

 

CM 585 - Addictions and Substance Abuse

This course introduces the multiple components and etiology of addictions and substance abuse. A strength-based and holistic model for assessment and evidence based research and treatment care models are examined.

 

CM 592 - Clinical Mental Health Counseling 

This introductory course provides an overview of the history and role of clinical mental health counseling within integrated behavioral health care. Students learn about the role of clinical mental health counselors in responding to the mental health needs of those utilizing primary care; promoting mental health and wellness; addressing the psychological and emotional impact of chronic medical conditions, providing prevention, interventions, consultation, education, and advocacy for behaviors which increase the risk of medical conditions; and fostering effective collaboration and teamwork in human service and integrated behavioral health care systems, including interagency and interorganizational collaboration and consultation. The course reviews the need for integrated care and the centrality of the biopsychosocial model to integrated care. The course also examines the core elements of primary care culture and practice management, client-centered care, population-based practice, and evidence-based care.

 

CM 599 - Trauma and Crisis Counseling: Causes, Effects & Contexts

This course provides an overview of trauma and its multi-level effects on development and physiology, interpersonal relationships, family systems and societies. A conceptual framework of evolving perspectives of traumatic stress, as well as education about the ethnocultural milieu is provided. Numerous sources of trauma, including child maltreatment, domestic violence, sexual assault, terrorism, armed conflict, and natural disasters are explored. Risk and protective factors are considered within the context of local, national and international efforts to reduce or respond to crises and other traumatic events, from both logistical and systems perspectives.

 

CM 605 - Grief Counseling

Introduction to the theory and application of grief models as they apply to individuals and families, including techniques and strategies to assist clients and students dealing with issues related to grief and loss in a variety of settings. The course will stress the importance of the professional counselor self-awareness and counselor impact on the therapeutic process, as well as the role of ritual, spirituality, and multicultural perspectives on grief. At the core of the course will be a respect for the client’s cultural contextual, a recognition of the importance of culture and other critical intervening factors on the counseling and grief process, and the maintenance of high ethical standards.

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CM 720 Creativity in Counseling

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to methods of integrating creativity and expressive therapy modalities into the therapeutic relationship. Students will be exposed to different variations of creativity in counseling such as art therapy, sand tray therapy, music therapy, metaphors in counseling, adventure-based counseling, and forms of ceremonies in therapy. Ethical considerations for using creativity in counseling will be addressed, as well as national organizations that govern the various creative modalities. Students will be provided with the basic concepts and methods of these specialty areas. Information presented in this course will be explored through discussions, readings and basic experiential activities.

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Course information above was taken directly from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology course catalog.