Please click the course title below to scroll to the course description:
Term One
Term Two
Term Three
Term Four
Term Five
Orientation and Student Success Skills
This course will provide a comprehensive orientation to Stenberg College and the Counselling Therapist Program you are enrolled in. In addition to orienting you to Stenberg College resources, policies, and procedures, this course will explore the transition to postsecondary education, learning styles, critical thinking, and citation and referencing. You will undertake self-evaluation, set learning and study strategy goals, and investigate the resources available to support you in achieving those goals.
Foundational Counselling Skills & Techniques
In this course, you will begin to speak the language of the counselling profession as you learn about the history of counselling, develop foundational counselling skills, and explore foundational counselling techniques including a spotlight on mindfulness.
Research in Counselling Therapy
In this course, you will learn about the foundations of social science research, including the difference between qualitative and quantitative methods, informal and formal inquiry, and various research methodologies. You will also learn how to conduct research, analyze research findings, and apply it to clinical situations. This course will also focus on the importance of ethics in research.
Introduction to NeuroScience
In this course, you will investigate the structure and function of the nervous system including memory, problem-solving, and decision making. You will discuss neuroplasticity and the effect that trauma and other events can have on the brain.
Lifespan Development
In this course, you will learn not only how people develop physically across their lifespan, but how they develop cognitively, emotionally, and socially through all stages of their life. Several theories will be considered in examining each of these areas.
Caring for the Caregiver through the Practice of Self Care
In this course, you will learn about the importance of self-care for a counsellor. You will learn about and experiment with various self-care tools including life assessment, journals, mindfulness, and gratitude. You will learn the importance of identifying triggers and seeking support from your supervisor as part of your self-care routine.
Professional Practice, Legal Issues & Ethics in Counselling Practice I
In this course, you will acquire a basic understanding of what constitutes ethics. Through the counselling profession’s Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, and other relevant literature on ethical decision making you will be able to describe what makes an ethical issue and how to respond to various ethical issues.
Simulated Counselling Skills Practice I
In this course, students will have the opportunity to apply all skills taught throughout Term I. Students will have the opportunity to gain feedback from their peers and instructor on their role-plays, presentations, and skillsets.
Integrated Counselling Practicum
In addition to classroom and skills practice hours, students complete 90 hours of practicum whereby they provide direct client counselling services. These 90 hours are integrated throughout Terms II, III & IV (typically on Fridays by appointment in the Moving Forward Family Services Clinic) and are in addition to the weekly class time. As students gain experience and their autonomy increases, they will collaborate with the Clinical Practicum Supervisor to secure experience in outside agencies that focus on their identified area of interest.
Introduction to Therapeutic Modalities
In this course, you will learn about the foundational concepts in each of the following types of therapeutic modalities: background-focused, emotion-focused, thought-focused, and action-focused. You will expand on this knowledge in Therapeutic Modalities I: Foundations, exploring specific modalities in each of these types, and you will delve even deeper into a modality of your choosing in Therapeutic Modalities II: Advanced Study.
Therapeutic Modalities I: Foundations
In this course, you will discover a variety of therapeutic modalities. You will also learn about some of the ways these modalities are integrated, expanded upon, and adapted in practice and begin to reflect on which modality you will work from in your own work as a Counsellor. You will then explore one of these modalities is greater depth in a later course, Therapeutic Modalities II: Advanced Study.
Marketing Your Practice & Yourself I
In this introductory course, you will begin to position yourself as a professional counsellor. You will develop your brand and basic marketing tools including business cards and a social media presence.
Therapeutic Modalities II: Advanced Study
In this course, you will expand on what you have learned about the varying approaches to counselling treatment systems in Intro to Therapeutic Modalities and Therapeutic Modalities I: Foundations. As you begin to plan for your own counselling practice, you will select one therapeutic modality that you would like to explore further and implement in your future work. With your instructor’s guidance and peers’ feedback, you will conduct an independent study project researching, reflecting on, and planning potential implementations of this modality.
Introduction to Psychopathology & Psychopharmacology
This course is designed to help you understand the basics of psychopharmacology including drug effects and interactions, principles of pharmacokinetics and neuroscience. This course studies the common psychotropic drug used in the treatment of mental health disorders and the effects on human behaviour.
You will also cover an overview of common psychopathological conditions and be introduced to the DSM-5 classification system.
Counselling Assessments
This course explores a number of different assessment tools and techniques including initial interviews, mental status examinations, functional, personality and behavioural assessments. You will learn the basic statistical concepts that underlie the use and interpretation of common assessment tools. Ethical and legal issues will be considered along with the needs of diverse populations. You will critically engage with the assessment process to understand the role of the counsellor and appropriate use of assessment.
Counselling Interventions
In this course, you will learn about a variety of affective, behavioural, and systemic interventions including daily mood logs, relaxation strategies, interpersonal coping strategies, empty chair, voice dialogue, sand play, and vision boards. You will be able to demonstrate and apply these interventions independent of theoretical orientation.
Simulated Counselling Skills Practice II
In this course, students will have the opportunity to apply all skills taught throughout Terms I & II. You will practice these skills through case studies, role plays, one-on-one sessions and small group discussions and receive feedback from your instructor and peers.
Integrated Counselling Practicum
In addition to classroom and skills practice hours, students complete 90 hours of practicum whereby they provide direct client counselling services. These 90 hours are integrated throughout Terms II, III & IV (typically on Fridays by appointment in the Moving Forward Family Services Clinic) and are in addition to the weekly class time. As students gain experience and their autonomy increases, they will collaborate with the Clinical Practicum Supervisor to secure experience in outside agencies that focus on their identified area of interest.
Individual Counselling
In this course, you will have the opportunity to take the skills learned in CTD100 Foundational Counselling Skills and Techniques to an advanced level, and tie together what you have learned throughout Term II. You will apply your skillset over several counselling sessions and examine the structure of the counselling relationship over time.
Group Counselling
When several individuals come together to work through a similar concern with a Counsellor, this is considered Group Counselling.
This course will give you the foundation needed to facilitate group sessions. You will learn both theoretical and experiential approaches, focusing on group development, group process, leadership styles, issues faced by the leaders, self-disclosure, and the steps needed to create a proposal for hosting a group. You will have the opportunity to lead a group as well as participate as a group member.
Child & Youth Counselling
In this course, students will learn how to assist children and youth through challenges, mental health issues, and achievements. Students will have the opportunity to explore the effects of bullying, social media, peer pressure and low self-esteem. Students will gain knowledge in the form of lectures, role plays, and hands on experience.
Family Counselling
Family Counselling is a type of therapy that can help families with any issues they may be facing. Through viewing the family as a whole unit, the counsellor can assist the family to improve their relationships, work through struggles, face challenges, and explore changes in a way that does not simply have the problem go away, but make the family stronger. By providing all family members with a voice in the counselling process, the counsellor, along with the family members, will be able to recognize the family patterns, build on a positive, and develop alternatives or solutions.
Loss & Grief Counselling
In this course, you will learn a strength-based approach to assist individuals experiencing several levels of grief. Through looking at the effects of grief to the cognitive, emotional, behavioural, physiological, and social functions of an individual, you will determine the best interventions, whether one on one counselling or group work. Students will reflect on their personal values and beliefs that may affect working with different cultures.
Diversity & Cultural Counselling
This course will enhance your ability to work with people of diverse ages, races, gender, sexual orientation, religion, culture, and backgrounds. You will examine your own beliefs and biases and learn to recognize when these may interfere with your ability to display unconditional positive regard and build a therapeutic alliance with your clients. You will learn how understanding and working within a client’s belief system and identity can enhance counselling and strengthen your ability to communicate in a culturally sensitive and inclusive manner.
Relationship & Intimacy Counselling
In this course, you will learn about the various stages of a relationship and human sexuality. Throughout this course, you will explore the principles of a healthy relationship, conflicts within a relationship, the 5 Love Languages, and more. You will develop your own style of handling difficult conversations around infidelity, sexual issues, and separation/divorce. You will gain knowledge in the meaning of physical, mental, and emotional intimacy.
Trauma & Crisis Counselling
You will learn the foundational techniques and skills needed to assist clients with trauma and crisis situations. You will explore the impact that trauma has on the brain, the body, and emotions. This course will provide you with an understanding of several different theories and models used during trauma therapy and crisis intervention. You will learn the importance of assessments and will be able to provide a client with resources and referrals.
CBT – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
In this course, you will gain the foundational skills of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. You will be able to assist clients in the process of changing or challenging their thought process, and how they feel about their thoughts and the behaviours that follow. Throughout this course, you will explore belief systems, needs versus wants, and automatic thoughts.
Lifestyle & Career Development Counselling
In this course, you will learn techniques to assist clients in exploring their career options by considering their strengths, beliefs, barriers, and lifestyle. By integrating personal and career counselling, you will be able to assist clients to understand the need for a well balanced personal and professional life.
Special Topics in Counselling
In this course, you will be introduced to some of the hot topics in the counselling field. Topics will change to respond to changes in the industry and may feature guest lectures by experts working with these special topics. Throughout this course you are encouraged to conduct independent research and bring your findings to class for discussion.
Simulated Counselling Skills Practice III
In this course you will have the opportunity to integrate and apply the skills taught throughout terms I, II, and III. You will practice these skills through case studies, role plays, one-on-one sessions and small group discussions and receive feedback from your instructor and peers.
Integrated Counselling Practicum
In addition to classroom and skills practice hours, students complete 90 hours of practicum whereby they provide direct client counselling services. These 90 hours are integrated throughout Terms II, III & IV (typically on Fridays by appointment in the Moving Forward Family Services Clinic) and are in addition to the weekly class time. As students gain experience and their autonomy increases, they will collaborate with the Clinical Practicum Supervisor to secure experience in outside agencies that focus on their identified area of interest.
Industry Certifications
Students will complete a series of workshops on non-violent communications, non-violent crisis intervention, and use the DSM-5 and ICD-10.
Professional Practice, Legal Issues & Ethics in Counselling Practice III
In this course, you will learn about professionalism, supervision and consultation, and ethical considerations for private practice, and you will engage in reflective practice. You will also review and apply course concepts from Professional Practice, Legal Issues, & Ethics in Counselling Practice I & II through role-play, debate, and group problem-solving.
Case Management
In this course, you will be equipped with the tools and skills necessary to manage your patient load and schedule, manage documentation, assess and evaluate your clients’ needs, collaborate and consult with other health care and human service professionals, and share plans of action with your clients.
CPCA Exam Preparation
This course is designed to prepare you for the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association (CPCA) Qualifying Examination, a requirement for membership with this association.
Business Development & Management for a Thriving Counselling Practice
This course will give you the skills to launch and manage a private counselling practice, from the process of registering your small business to creating service contracts to managing and maximizing your incoming calls.
Marketing Your Practice & Yourself II
In this course, you will learn to leverage your personal brand as a professional counsellor to build clientele, as well as learn about various marketing tools from word of mouth referrals to social media to develop your marketing plan. Included in your plan is creating content that shape your potential clients’ first impression of you and your practice, which includes a website, voicemail, and email auto-responder.
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Counselling Practice Billing & Accounting Procedures
In this course, you will gain an understanding of how to set, ask for, collect, and track payments in a private counselling practice. You will research counselling fees and determine your own fee structure as a new graduate and learn how best to discuss fees with clients. The course will also cover tools and methods available to manage the fees you collect.
DSM-5 & ICD-10
You will learn how to navigate and understand the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition and the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th edition.
Managing Hostile Interactions & Public Safety
This training provides students with effective techniques for approaching an agitated person and helping reduce their tension, presenting alternatives to people when they lose control and/or become violent. This training also helps students to maintain the best possible professional attitude during interventions and introduces the physical intervention skills needed to maintain the welfare and safety of all involved.
Non-Violent Communication
You will learn how non-violent communication techniques can impact your client sessions and personal well-being.
Personal & Professional Development Certificate
The Personal and Professional Development (PPD) Skills Certificate is a self-directed, online certificate that enhances your soft skills. The six PPD workshops cover Professionalism, Quality Service, Feedback, Diverse Teams, Conflict Resolution and Leadership. Together, these workshops prepare you to effectively approach and resolve real-life situations.