Faculty: Graduate School of Scoial Science This major prepares students for careers in family counseling, focusing on family systems theories, counseling techniques, assessment methods, ethical practices, and multicultural issues. Students develop practical counseling skills and theoretical knowledge to support families dealing with personal, relational, and systemic challenges. Graduates are equipped for roles in family therapy clinics, community agencies, schools, and private practice. **Learning Objectives:** - Understand fundamentals of family systems theories and counseling techniques. - Develop skills in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning for families. - Learn techniques for individual, couple, and family counseling, crisis intervention, and conflict resolution. - Explore ethical practices, multicultural issues, and industry standards in family counseling. - Analyze challenges and opportunities in family dynamics and mental health settings. - Develop empathy, communication, and problem-solving skills for effective family interventions. **Major Outline:** 1. **Introduction to Family Counseling** - Overview of key concepts and industry trends in family counseling. - Fundamentals of family systems theories and counseling ethics. 2. **Family Systems Theories** - Major family systems theories and their applications in counseling. - Techniques for integrating theories into family counseling practice. 3. **Counseling Techniques** - Fundamentals of counseling techniques, including systemic, cognitive-behavioral, and solution-focused approaches. - Techniques for conducting individual, couple, and family counseling sessions. 4. **Assessment and Diagnosis** - Principles of psychological assessment and diagnosis in family contexts. - Techniques for administering and interpreting assessment tools for families. 5. **Treatment Planning** - Fundamentals of treatment planning and intervention strategies for families. - Techniques for developing and implementing effective family treatment plans. 6. **Ethical Practices** - Understanding ethical guidelines and legal standards in family counseling. - Techniques for ensuring ethical practice and client confidentiality. 7. **Multicultural Issues** - Principles of multicultural counseling and diversity awareness in family contexts. - Techniques for addressing cultural, racial, and social issues in family counseling. 8. **Crisis Intervention and Conflict Resolution** - Fundamentals of crisis intervention and conflict resolution in family settings. - Techniques for managing and resolving family crises and conflicts. 9. **Practicum in Family Counseling** - Real-world counseling experiences, including observations, internships, and hands-on projects in clinical settings. - Application of learned skills in practical family counseling sessions. 10. **Capstone Project in Family Counseling** - Comprehensive project applying skills in assessment, treatment planning, or multicultural counseling. - Delivery of a polished family counseling project or case study. **Assessment Methods:** - Counseling session plans, assessment reports, treatment plans, ethical practice analyses, multicultural counseling projects, crisis intervention plans, practicum reports, capstone projects, group projects, and internship evaluations. **Recommended Textbooks:** - "Family Therapy: Concepts and Methods" by Michael P. Nichols and Richard C. Schwartz. - "Theories of Family Therapy" by Douglas H. Sprenkle and Fred P. Piercy. - "Psychological Testing and Assessment" by Ronald J. Cohen and Mark Swerdlik. - "Ethics in Marriage and Family Therapy" by Lynn Hoffman. - "Multicultural Family Therapy" by Monica McGoldrick, Joe Giordano, and Nydia Garcia-Preto. - "Crisis Intervention Strategies" by Richard K. James and Burl E. Gilliland. **Prerequisites:** Basic knowledge of psychology, counseling theories, and ethical practices. Suitable for students interested in family counseling, psychology, and mental health fields. **Major Duration:** Typically 4 years for a bachelor's degree, including coursework, projects, practicum, and internships. **Certification:** Graduates may receive a degree in Family Counseling and pursue professional certifications or licensure in counseling, such as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or related fields. **Target Audience:** Aspiring family counselors, therapists, mental health professionals, and individuals seeking careers in family counseling, therapy, and related fields. This major equips students with the practical, theoretical, and ethical skills needed to excel in family counseling, supporting careers in mental health, family therapy, and related fields.