This program is intended to equip participants with skills requisite for working effectively with children and adolescents. The program is embedded in our degree programs, but is also available for licensed persons as a certification program (certification is granted by OAPT). Those taking the complete program will complete 60-hours of coursework and will graduate with an MAMFT/Child Therapy degree. CTP-track students complete most of the program with their MSCP and MAMFT counterparts, but will diverge in Module 13 to complete Child Development. CTP-track students rejoin their MAMFT counterparts for Module 14 to complete Marital and Family Systems. From there, CTP-track students will diverge one final time to complete Modules 15-18. Students completing the five courses in the child therapy track concentration will meet the requirements to become a Registered Play Therapist (RPT).

Those interested in taking the five Child Therapy courses as a certification program can audit the courses in sequential order. By auditing these courses, students will meet the academic requirements for the Oklahoma Association of Play Therapists program; however, this does not mean students will be certified play therapists with the OAPT. Certification is granted by OAPT and not by Southern Nazarene University. SNU does not offer a certification program. Classes that are available to audit are listed below and identified by an asterick*.

The courses (modules) are taken sequentially, to allow focused study on one subject area at a time. Class meetings occur one night per week for a four-hour session for the first year of the program. In year two, classes will occur over intensive weekend courses that meet Friday evenings for four hours and all day Saturday for eight hours. Extensive directed study occurs outside the classroom, in preparation for participative learning experiences during class time.

In addition to the courses, the MAMFT/CT student will complete a 450-hour Internship. Specific guidelines for the internship are provided in a supplemental publication (Internship Handbook). Work on all components of the program (modules and internship) occurs simultaneously.

Another vital component of counselor preparation is supervised experience in marital therapy, family therapy and play therapy counseling situations. This process is initiated briefly in the first module, but is developed more fully during the internship placement. Internships begin at the end of the first semester and are completed by the fifth and final semester. The internship occurs in approved clinical settings where marital or marriage counseling is an integral part of the practice. Throughout the program, the student is encouraged to apply the training from the psychotherapy lab courses. The clinical capstone of the program occurs in the Multicultural Treatment Planning course. The student integrates the assessment, diagnostic and treatment process into a clinical demonstration of his/her ability to conceptualize the dynamics of the client and to articulate a comprehensive treatment plan.

All masters’ degree programs at SNU require an exit evaluation. In the MAMFT program, the exit evaluation takes the form of a Clinical Competency Interview (CCI). The Clinical Competency Interview (CCI) is a way of demonstrating clinical competency of the student and synthesizing the various clinical components of the program. The CCI is intended to evaluate the student’s competence in assessing, diagnosing, and treating clients. Specific guidelines for completing the CCI are available in the CCI Handbook.

What courses will I take in the CTP track? How does the CPT track look? See below for more information…

CTP SEMESTER 1 (order of classes subject to change)
MODULE 1 - PSY 5333 - Introduction to Counseling Techniques (3 hours)                                               Instructor - Scott Secor
An introduction to the basic helping skills and the role of professional counselors. Students are introduced to specific and nonspecific variables in the counselor, the client and the counseling environment that produce change in clients. An overview of the historical development of the counseling profession is explored as well as future directions for the profession of counseling. Foundations are explored for developing a worldview of counseling, inclusive of a Christian view of persons. Students will practice basic helping skills and learn to conduct initial interviews. Students will initiate use of library research to develop hypotheses for empirical research.

MODULE 2 - PSY 5313 - Lifespan Development (3 hours)                                                                  Instructor - Joe Shaleen
Theoretical and research approaches to the study of development of human abilities and behavior throughout the lifespan. The course will focus on such theorists as Piaget, Freud, Erikson, Kohlberg, Peck, Vaillant, Schaie, and Sternberg. Topics include developmental research methodology, variables influencing development, and basic developmental processes in physical, motor, perceptual, cognitive, linguistic, emotional, social, and personality development. Applications of developmental theory to counseling are emphasized.

MODULE 3 - PSY 5263 - Psychopathology (3 hours)                                                                          Instructor - Dr. Paul Jones
Examination of techniques used in defining and classifying deviant behavior syndromes, according to DSM-IV classification. Theoretical and empirical literature dealing with etiology and treatment of various disorders is examined. Areas of coverage are situation reactions, anxiety disorder, personality disorders, psychoses, organic disorders, and child adolescent onset disorders.

MODULE 4 - PSY 5283 - Professional Orientation (3 hours)                                                               Instructor - Dr. Wana Ellison
This course is designed to provide a survey of ethical, legal and professional issues facing counselors and others in human services. Emphasis is given to raising awareness of the complexities of ethical issues in professional practice.

Internship (6 hours)                                                                                                                                    Instructor - Scott Secor
The internship experience is based on the assumption that classroom study becomes more meaningful and relevant when it is integrated with planned hands-on field experience. In the internship, therefore, the Graduate Programs in Counseling student acquires direct experience working in a supervised counseling capacity. The internship experience emphasizes application of the principles and concepts learned through the Graduate Programs in Counseling coursework. Both the GPC Internship Coordinator and an agency supervisor supervises the internship. Both supervisors work with the Graduate Programs in Counseling student to insure that the internship provides a setting in which maximum learning may occur. Internships must be approved by the program. The internship occurs concurrently with course work and follows guidelines set forth in licensure preparation. Students are required to obtain at least 450 total hours of internship, 225 of which should be direct client contact hours.

CTP SEMESTER 2 (order of classes subject to change)
MODULE 5 - PSY 6333 - Theories of Counseling (3 hours)                                                                   Instructor - Dr. Paul Jones
This course provides an overview of the major viewpoints underlying various approaches to counseling. It shows how these viewpoints developed as well as the ways of influence outlook and technique in counseling. You will have opportunity to see the various viewpoints in action as used by others, and to apply them in role-played counseling sessions. Critique of the theories will include emphasis on Christian perspectives.

MODULE 6 - PSY 6133 - Research Methods I (3 hours)                                                                          Instructor - Dr. Alicia Limke
An overview of the various research methodologies used to study behavior. The focus is on application, especially to counseling research. This course is closely tied to development of the thesis. The prospectus is begun during this module.

MODULE 7 - PSY 5143 - Family and Psychological Assessment (3 hours)                                           Instructor - Dr. Ryan Scott
Testing theory and statistical considerations in the construction of psychological measurements. Coverage is given to administration and interpretation of various assessment tools. The course also includes diagnostic interviewing techniques, report writing, direct observation techniques, and self report scaling.

MODULE 8 - PSY 6263 - Family Crisis Intervention (3 hours)                                                             Instructor - Dr. Randy Cochran
An applied psychotherapy lab course that engages the student in both the theoretical foundations for crisis intervention and in the actual and practical experience of implementing crisis intervention techniques. Students will be instructed in the stages of emergency and crisis situations and the theoretical frameworks for describing crisis events.

CTP SEMESTER 3 (order of classes subject to change)
MODULE 9 - PSY 6293 - Philosophy of Interpersonal Relationships (3 hours)                                   Instructors - Dr. Ron Wright and Dr. Paul Jones
Considers worldviews with regard to situations that are an inherent part of the human condition, such as suffering, change, trauma, and so forth. Focus is on an understanding of such conditions and the garnering of resources for coping with these situations. Special emphasis will be given to the ways in which the various philosophical positions give rise to ethical considerations.

MODULE 10 - PSY 6303 - Counseling Children and Adolescents (3 hours)                                       Instructor - Dr. Anne Jacobs
An advanced counseling course focused on specific techniques used in diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents. Normative and nonnormative aspects of development are examined to assist in understanding appropriate interventions. DSM IV diagnoses found in children and adolescents are evaluated. Legal and ethical issues related to intervention with minors are also explored.

MODULE 11 - PSY 6243 - Marriage and Family Therapy (3 hours)                                                    Instructor - Bill Spence
This course addresses the practice of marital and family therapy. It is designed to teach theory application, technique formation, technique delivery, and follow through in marital and family therapy. Techniques in marital and family therapy such as joining, relabeling, reframing, structure change, pattern enhancement, first and second order change, power word unpackaging, and faith language framing will be taught. Instruction in the assessment and utilization of the family’s language, rules and structure will be provided.

MODULE 12 - PSY 6393 - Multicultural Treatment Planning (3 hours)                                              Instructor - Dr. Philip Budd
This course is a synthesis of the student’s clinical training. The student is taught how to coordinate diagnostic interviewing, psychological assessment techniques and diagnosis to assist in developing appropriate treatment plans for clients. Students will demonstrate appropriate use of DSM-IV diagnostic skills and illustrate an awareness of the growing body of literature on empirically based treatment planning. Multicultural aspects of counseling and treatment planning are investigated.

CTP SEMESTER 4 (order of classes subject to change)
*MODULE 13 – PSY 5323 - Child Development (3 hours)                                                                 Instructor - Dr. Ursula Bowling
Child Development covers physical, cognitive, social, emotional, behavioral, and spiritual development from birth through early adulthood, using both theoretical and research approaches. Each aspect of growth, change, and stability in the developing child is examined in both cultural and universal aspects, considering normative and non-normative aspects as supported by research. Strong consideration is given to the ecological understanding of the child, that is, the embeddedness of the child within spheres of influence and reciprocal relationship.

MODULE 14 - PSY 6343 - Marital and Family Systems (3 hours)                                                      Instructor - Dr. Ursula Bowling
This course is the foundational material for discovering how Marital and Family Therapy approaches human relationship problems. Marital and Family Therapy utilize systemic theory as problems and problem resolution in a different way. This “different way” brings focus on the processes or context that is giving meaning to events instead of the individuals or the events themselves. Examination of marriage and family in the context of a system will be the theme of this course.

CTP SEMESTER 5 (order of classes subject to change)
*MODULE 15 – PSY 5113 - Child and Adolescent Psychopathology and Assessment (3 hours)                 Instructor - Lea May
This course provides an overview of psychopathology commonly seen in children and adolescents. Although not every disorder that may adversely influence child functioning will be discussed in detail, this course will provide students with resources to help them investigate other disorders in more depth. A developmental perspective will be taken during the exploration of these topics as well as an emphasis on critically evaluating the relevant current research. Related topics including risk factors, resilience, and current controversies in child diagnosis will be discussed

*MODULE 16 – PSY 6313 - Introduction to Play Therapy (3 hours)                                                  Instructor - Dr. Sharolyn Wallace
This course is an introduction to the field of play therapy and play therapy techniques. An overview of play therapy history and application will be discussed. Theoretical foundations will be explored in depth as well as application of each. Specific play therapy techniques such as art therapy, sandtray play, water play, mutual storytelling, puppetry, board games and role plays, will be presented in an experiential learning environment. Students will learn how to engage in specific play techniques. Discussion of applications with special populations will also be included.

*MODULE 17 – PSY 6323 - Specialized Techniques – Play Therapy (3 hours)                                      Instructor - Dr. Kelly James
This course will build on the basic principles of play therapy. Treatment plan development based on assessment from PSY 5323 and PSY 5113 will incorporate play therapy techniques in relationship to theoretical models being utilized. Specific play therapy techniques such as but not limited to art, sand tray, water play, mutual storytelling, puppetry, board games, and role plays will be presented in an experiential learning environment. Each technique will be discussed and practiced in relationship to each theoretical modality. Therapeutic modalities will be paired with specific issues and trauma. Therapeutic modalities will include CBT, Adlerian, Gestalt, Child-Centered, Ecosystemic, and Prescriptive. Students will initiate use of library research to develop hypotheses for empirical research.

*MODULE 18 – PSY 6363 - Advanced Clinical Play Therapy (3 hours)                                              Instructor - Dr. Kelly James
This course will incorporate advanced skills and principles. Theoretical foundations will be explored and practiced in depth. Family involvement will be incorporated and include both family systems and filial therapy. Documentation of therapeutic progress, evidence based practice skills, and empirically validated tools and measurements will be utilized. Report writing, documentation, court testimony and validation of play therapy will be included.

ELECTIVE OR ADDITIONAL HOURS
Additional Internship Hours – (3 hours)                                                                                                   Instructor - Scott Secor
Students can elect to add an additional 150 hours of internship to their coursework. The additional hours must maintain a ratio of at least 75 direct client contact hours and will count for an additional 3 credit hours. Adding additional hours will add additional cost to the students overall program cost.