Online · School of Behavioral Sciences · Counselor Education & Family Studies

Counseling Techniques and the Helping

Relationship
COUC-505
Spring J 2023 Section 396 01/09/2023 to 05/12/2023 Modified 01/09/2023

 Contact Information
See detailed faculty information in Canvas.

 Course Description
This is a competency-based course with an experiential emphasis. The student is required to demonstrate
proficiency in counseling concepts and techniques that align with a variety of theoretical approaches which
are all fundamental to understanding and modeling a therapeutic counseling relationship. These basic
skills will be practiced and applied.

Requisites
Prerequisites

(COUC 500 or COUN 500 or CMHC 500) and (COUC 501 or COUN 501 or CMHC 501)

 Rationale
This course meets the requirement of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational
Programs (CACREP) that students must have curricular experiences and demonstrate their knowledge in
the common core area of “counseling and helping relationships” (CACREP 2016 Standards, Section 2.F.5.).
The ability to integrate and apply an understanding of the theories and techniques to one’s personal and
professional life is critical in counselor development. In fact, this course may be one of the most important
courses in the program as it addresses the essence of counseling. This course is designed to provide
students with an understanding of the basic knowledge, communication skills, and values necessary to
invite others to share their life stories and experiences, explore blocks to change, and engage in a reflective
decision-making process in order to implement strategies for change.
 This course also encourages self-awareness and self-exploration so that students can gain an
understanding of how their own personal experiences, preferences, feelings, values, and worldview
influences their practice as a counselor. A key feature of this course is the opportunity to practice these
essential counseling skills and experience the counseling process in a safe, controlled environment. Over
the course of the semester, students will be able to practice their skills with other counselor-trainees.
Extensive uses of media and situational role-plays will help the student learn the essential skills involved in
building an effective helping relationship. Students have the opportunity to practice these essential
counseling skills and experience the counseling process in a safe, controlled environment over the
semester. As Christians, this course helps students develop skills to effectively navigate their Christian
worldview while working with clients of different values and belief systems.

Method of Instruction: This semester-long course is delivered using two synchronous intensive options: 1)
Students may select an in-person synchronous intensive option and will attend 36-40 hours of in-person
classroom-based instruction at our campus in Lynchburg; or 2) Students may select an online synchronous
intensive option and will attend 36-40 hours of video-based instruction. In addition to the one week of in-
person or digital synchronous class time, students are expected to complete additional work online both
pre- and post-intensive over the duration of the semester.

 Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

A. Identify and conceptualize major theoretical approaches used in the counseling profession with
diverse populations, including systems perspectives.
B. Discuss personal beliefs, the nature of the helping process, and begin to develop and personal
counseling philosophy.
C. Demonstrate an understanding of the counseling process and the nature of assessment and wellness
and prevention as a part of therapeutic goals.
D. Apply, synthesize, and evaluate a variety of interviewing and counseling skills associated with key
theoretical approaches in a professional, ethical, legal, and culturally sensitive manner.
E. Identify counselor behaviors and characteristics that impact the therapeutic relationship and helping
process.
F. Understand ways in which counseling theories can be integrated with biblical principles.

Key Performance Indicator Matrix Assignments

Key Performance Indicator Evidence: Course/Learning
Experience
KPI 5 (2.F.5). Students will Benchmark Counseling Skills
demonstrate the skills necessary to Assignment
establish and build a therapeutic
relationship and will form a Benchmark Final Skills Competency
preliminary theoretical framework Scale (SCS) Participation
when working with the client Assignment
(Measures PLO #1, 3, 6).
Quiz: Benchmark Live Supervision
Participation

Common Core Courses Matrix of Student Competencies

F1. Professional Counseling Orientation And Ethical Practice

Course/Experience – Evidence
CACREP Standard

F.1.c. counselors’ roles & responsibilities as Assessment & Suicide Risk – Quiz: Challenging Skills
members of an interdisciplinary community
outreach and emergency management
response teams

F.1.d. the role and process of the professional Understanding the Helping Profession – Quiz: Helping as a Personal
counselor advocating on behalf of the Journey
profession

F.1.e. advocacy processes needed to Skills for helping those with differences – Quiz: Outcome Evaluation
address institutional and social barriers that and Termination Skills
impede access, equity, and success for
clients

F.1.k. strategies for personal and professional Video Recording and Skills Observation Assignments
self-evaluation and implications for practice
Self-Reflection and Self-Care Evaluation Plan Assignment

F.1.l. self-care strategies appropriate to the Understanding the Helping Profession – Quiz: Helping as a Personal
counselor role Journey

Self-Reflection and Self-Care Evaluation Plan Assignment

F.2 Social and Cultural Diversity

F.2.h. strategies for identifying and eliminating Skills for helping those with differences – Quiz: Outcome Evaluation
barriers, prejudices, and processes of and Termination Skills
intentional and unintentional oppression and
discrimination

F.5 Counseling and Helping Relationships

F.5.c. theories, models, and strategies for Therapeutic Relationship – Quiz: The Therapeutic Relationship
understanding and practicing consultation

F.5.f. counselor characteristics and behaviors Skills for Therapeutic Relationship – Quiz: The Therapeutic
that influence the counseling process Relationship, Quiz: The Cultural Climate and the Therapeutic
Relationship, Quiz: Invitational Skills,
Quiz: Reflecting Skills: Paraphrasing, Quiz: Reflecting Skills: Reflecting
Feelings, and Quiz: Advanced Reflecting Skills: Reflecting Meaning and
Summarizing

F.5.g. essential interviewing, counseling, and Counseling techniques and strategies – Quiz: The Therapeutic
case conceptualization skills Relationship, Quiz: The Cultural Climate and the Therapeutic
Relationship, Quiz: Invitational Skills,
Quiz: Reflecting Skills: Paraphrasing, Quiz: Reflecting Skills: Reflecting
Feelings, Quiz: Advanced Reflecting Skills: Reflecting Meaning and
Summarizing,
Quiz: Challenging Skills, Quiz: Assessment and Goal Setting, Quiz:
Change Techniques, Part I, and Quiz: Intervention and Action: Change
Techniques, Part II

F.5.j. evidence-based counseling strategies Counseling techniques and strategies – Quiz: The Therapeutic
and techniques for prevention and Relationship, Quiz: The Cultural Climate and the Therapeutic
intervention Relationship, Quiz: Invitational Skills,
Quiz: Reflecting Skills: Paraphrasing, Quiz: Reflecting Skills: Reflecting
Feelings, Quiz: Advanced Reflecting Skills: Reflecting Meaning and
Summarizing,
Quiz: Challenging Skills, Quiz: Assessment and Goal Setting, Quiz:
Change Techniques, Part I, and Quiz: Intervention and Action: Change
Techniques, Part II

Evidence of Student Competencies: Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Course/Experience – Evidence
CACREP Standard
CMHC FOUNDATIONS

CMHC 1.b. theories and Reading & Quizzes, Benchmark Counseling Skills
models related to clinical Assignment
mental health counseling

CMCH PRACTICE

CMHC 3.b. . techniques and Reading & Quizzes, Counseling Practice, Quiz:
interventions for prevention Benchmark Live Supervision Participation
and treatment of a broad range
of mental health issues

CMHC 3.e. strategies to Reading & Quizzes, Counseling Practice

advocate for persons with
mental health issues Self-Reflection and Self-Care Evaluation Plan
Assignment

Evidence of Student Competencies: School Counseling

CACREP Standard Course/Experience – Learning

Experiences

SC Contextual Dimensions

SC 2.g Characteristics, risk Readings and Quizzes

factors, and warning signs of
students at risk for mental health
and behavioral disorders

SC 2.h common medications that Readings

affect learning, behavior, and
mood in children and
adolescents

SC 2.i signs and symptoms of Readings

substance abuse in children and
adolescents as well as the signs
and symptoms of living in a home
where substance use occurs
 SC Practice

SC 3.f Techniques of Readings, Quizzes, Benchmark Counseling

personal/social counseling in Skills Assignment
school settings

 Course Resources
Required Resource Purchases

Young, M. (2021). Learning the Art of Helping: Building Blocks and Techniques (7th ed.). Boston, MA:
Pearson. ISBN: 9780135680124.

CMHC Students: Tevera + CCS-R (Latest). Tevera, LLC. (Students please note: This resource is ONLY for
online M.A. in Professional Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling students (not for M.Ed. School
Counseling, or Marriage and Family Therapy students). Tevera is a one-time purchase. If you have
previously purchased this membership for another course or sub-term, there is no need to purchase this
again.)

Disclaimer: The above resources provide information consistent with that required by state licensing boards
in the class subject area. Liberty University does not necessarily endorse specific religious, philosophical, or
political positions found in these resources.

Recommended Resource

American Psychological Association. Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (Current
ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Additional Materials for Learning

A. Computer with basic audio/video recording output equipment

B. Internet access (broadband recommended)
C. Canvas recommended browsers (https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-
Guide/What-are-the-browser-and-computer-requirements-for-Canvas/ta-p/66)
D. Creating and submitting files in Microsoft Word
E. Basic Canvas navigation skills
F. Download free application for team group work and supervision

 Course Assignments
Course assignments are described below.
It is important to understand that elements of this course have potential emotional risks. Exploring feelings
or thoughts may be painful. This can sometimes even be disruptive to the relationships you have. If you
feel course assignments, practice, and activities are harming you in any way, be sure to inform your
professor and afternoon consultant so an appropriate plan can be made.

Textbook readings and supplemental material

Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations (https://www.liberty.edu/institutional-
effectiveness/student-expectations/), the student will complete the related checklist found in the
Course Overview.

Advising Acknowledgement Quiz

Students will review the program handbook and licensure information by following the link within the
quiz information. Once reviewed, the student will need to complete the Advising Guide
Acknowledgment Quiz.

Quiz: Distance Counseling

Students must complete this quiz prior to practicing counseling skills and after reading the information
on the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Policy Regarding the Provision of Distance
Professional Service.

Quiz: Emergency Acknowledgement and Contact

Information
Students must answer emergency acknowledgement and contact information questions prior to
practicing counseling skills.

Quiz: Informed Consent for Triad Practice

Students must complete this quiz prior to practicing counseling skills.

Quizzes (12)
Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the Module in which it is assigned. Each quiz will be open-
book/open-notes, contain 10 multiple-choice questions, and have a 20-minute time limit. (CLO: A. B, C,
D, E, F)

Quiz: Triad Practice Progress (5)

Students will continue to practice weekly in their triads after the intensive. For full participation points,
these sessions will need to occur at least 5 times in MS Teams. This is an opportunity to practice skills
and improve the live supervision session. Each practice session must be recorded to receive practice
points. (CLO: A. B, C, D, E, F)
Benchmark Counseling Skills Assignment
The student will submit a written transcription recording of 5 interactions that he or she would like to
redo during his or her session. (CLO: A. B, C, D, E, F)

Benchmark Final Skills Competency Scale (SCS)

Participation Assignment
Faculty/consultants will complete a competency scale at the end of the course, which will be used to
calculate overall participation points. If basic skills are not met with an 80% pass, then the student will
need to discuss a remediation plan with their lead professor. (CLO: A. B, C, D, E, F)

Self-Reflection and Self-Care Evaluation Plan Assignment

The student will submit the Self-Reflection and Self-Care Evaluation Plan Assignment after receiving
individual and live supervision feedback. The student must take into account the feedback received up
to this point and how to address concerns and improve skills competencies going forward. (CLO: A. B, C,
D, E, F)

Quiz: Initial Live Supervision Participation

After the intensive week, students will need to continue to practice weekly. Consultants will schedule 2
live supervision meeting times (approximately an hour) for student triads. These will be recorded and
uploaded to the course. (CLO: A. B, C, D, E, F)

Quiz: Benchmark Live Supervision Participation

After the intensive week, students will need to continue to practice weekly. Consultants will schedule 2
live supervision meeting times (approximately an hour) for student triads. These will be recorded and
uploaded to the course. CMHC students will also upload to Tevera. (CLO: A. B, C, D, E, F)

Quiz: Dispositions Reflection

The student will will rate him/herself on the nine dispositions required for this program. The quiz will
contain 9 multiple-choice questions and 1 essay question and is limited to 60 minutes. The student is
allowed 1 attempt to complete the quiz.

Video Recording and Skills Observation Assignments (4)

During the intensive week, these assignments will be utilized to provide the student with the
opportunity to practice basic counseling skills. The student will be able to use what has been learned
during the intensive and apply it to real world situations. The student will also have the opportunity to
observe their classmates in order to identify skills and provide constructive feedback.
 Quiz: Lecture Participation
Students are expected to attend all intensive class sessions in a timely manner. Students must
confirm via the Quiz: Lecture Participation. During class time, students are expected to be on time and
attend all sessions. Attendance points will be awarded for intensive week. If a student is not able to
attend all days of the intensive, they should switch class sections if one is available. Alternatively, a
student may receive a grade of 'F' if any portion of the intensive is missed. The intensive class meets
Monday – Thursday 8 am to 4:30 pm and on Friday 8 am to 12 PM.

 Course Grading

Course Requirements Checklist 10

Video Recording and Skills Observation 100

Assignments (4 @ 25 pts ea)

Quiz: Lecture Participation 80

Quiz: Distance Counseling 5

Quiz: Emergency Acknowledgement & 5

Contact Information

Quiz: Informed Consent for Triad Practice 10

Quizzes (12 @ 20 pts ea) 240

Quiz: Triad Practice Progress (5 @ 20 pts 100

ea)

Benchmark Counseling Skills Assignment 50

Self-Reflection and Self-Care Evaluation 150

Plan Assignment

Benchmark Final Skills Competency Scale 150

(SCS) Participation Assignment

Quiz: Initial Live Supervision Participation 50

Quiz: Benchmark Live Supervision 50

Participation
 Quiz: Dispositions Reflection 10

Total 1010

 Course Policies
Tevera Submission Policy - Clinical Mental Health Counseling students ONLY

All Benchmark assignments—including those submitted in Canvas and/or via Turnitin—must be submitted
to Tevera in order for the student to receive credit for them.

Dual Relationship

The faculty is responsible to interact with counseling students in a supervisory capacity/role. As such,
faculty may provide students professional principles, guidance, and recommendations as it relates to the
context of the student-client setting. The faculty is responsible to avoid dual relationships with students,
such as entering a student-counselor or student-pastor relationship. Thus, the faculty does not provide
personal counseling addressing student personal problems. If a faculty member perceives that a student is
in need of personal or professional counseling, then that faculty member will recommend that the student
pursue either pastoral or professional assistance from a counselor in their community.

Limits of Confidentiality

In the event of a student’s disclosure, either verbally or in writing, of threat of serious or foreseeable harm
to self or others, abuse or neglect of a minor, elderly or disabled person, or current involvement in criminal
activity, the faculty, staff, administrator, or supervisor will take immediate action. This action may include,
but is not limited to, immediate notification of appropriate state law enforcement or social services
personnel, emergency contacts, and notification of the appropriate program chair or online dean. The
incident and action taken will become part of the student’s permanent record.

Instructor Feedback and Response Time

Responses to student emails will be provided within 36 hours. Assignment feedback will be given within 10
days of the assignment due date. The nature of this course includes more video based instruction, which
requires additional time to grade.

Professional Communication

Please be professional in your email communication. We live in a fast-paced world with text messaging
which encourages short and abbreviated communication. However, since you are in a counseling program,
you are encouraged and expected to use full sentences and good grammar when communicating with
other students and faculty. It is also an expectation that your electronic communication is pleasing to God.
Being courteous and polite to peers and professors demonstrates dignity and respect, "And as you wish
that others would do to you, do so to them" (Luke 6:31, ESV).
 Policies

Late Assignment Policy

Course Assignments, including discussions, exams, and other graded assignments, should be
submitted on time.

If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor
immediately by email.

Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will
receive the following deductions:

1. Late assignments submitted within one week after the due date will receive up to a 10%
deduction.
2. Assignments submitted more than one week and less than 2 weeks late will receive up to a 20%
deduction.
3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted
outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues),
which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.
4. Group projects, including group discussion threads and/or replies, and assignments will not be
accepted after the due date outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant
personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.

Disability Assistance
Students with a disability and those with medical conditions associated with pregnancy may contact
Liberty University’s Online Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) at [email protected]
for accommodations. Such accommodations require appropriate documentation of your condition.
For more information about ODAS and the accommodations process, including how to request an
accommodation, please visit https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation-support/
(https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation-support/). Requests for
accommodations not related to disabilities or pregnancy must be directed to the Registrar’s Office,
which generally handles medical needs support.

If you have a complaint related to disability discrimination or an accommodation that was not provided,
you may contact ODAS or the Office of Equity and Compliance by phone at (434) 592-4999 or by email
at [email protected]. Click to see a full copy of Liberty’s Discrimination, Harassment,
and Sexual Misconduct Policy
(https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Liberty+University+Discrimination,+Harassment,+and+Sexual+Mi
sconduct+Policy) or the Student Disability Grievance Policy and Procedures
(https://www.liberty.edu/disability-support/wp-content/uploads/sites/106/2022/01/Disability-
Grievance-Procedures.pdf).
Course Attendance
In an effort to comply with U.S. Department of Education policies, attendance is measured by physical
class attendance or any submission of a required assignment within the enrollment dates of the
course (such as examinations, written papers or projects, any discussion posts, etc.) or initiating any
communication with one’s professor regarding an academic subject. More information regarding the
attendance policy (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Online+Attendance+and+Non-Attendance) can
be found in the Academic Course Catalogs (https://www.liberty.edu/academics/course-catalogs/).
Regular attendance in online courses is expected throughout the length of the term. Students who do
not attend within the first week of a sub-term by submitting a required academic assignment (such as
the Course Requirements Checklist, an examination, written paper or project, discussion post, or other
academic activity) will be dropped from the course. Students who wish to re-engage in the course are
encouraged to contact Academic Advising to discuss their enrollment options. Students who begin an
online course, but at some point in the semester cease attending, and do not provide official
notification to withdraw, will be assigned a grade of “FN” (Failure for Non-Attendance
(https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Unofficial+Withdrawals)). Students wishing to withdraw from
courses after the official start date should familiarize themselves with the withdrawal policy.

Grading Scale
A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- F

940- 920- 900- 860- 840- 820- 780- 760- 740- 700- 680- 679
1010 939 919 899 859 839 819 779 759 739 699 and
below

For courses with a Pass/NP final grade, please refer to the Course Grading section of this syllabus for
the assignment requirements and/or point value required to earn a Passing final grade.

Add/Drop Policy
The full policy statement and procedures are published in the Policy Directory
(https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Dropping+and+Adding+Online+Classes).

Honor Code
Liberty University comprises a network of students, Alumni, faculty, staff and supporters that together
form a Christian community based upon the truth of the Bible. This truth defines our foundational
principles, from our Doctrinal Statement to the Code of Honor. These principles irrevocably align
Liberty University’s operational procedures with the long tradition of university culture, which remains
distinctively Christian, designed to preserve and advance truth. Our desire is to create a safe,
comfortable environment within our community of learning, and we extend our academic and spiritual
resources to all of our students with the goal of fostering academic maturity, spiritual growth and
character development.
 Communities are predicated on shared values and goals. The Code of Honor, an expression of the
values from which our Doctrinal Statement was born, defines the fundamental principles by which our
community exists. At the core of this code lie two essential concepts: a belief in the significance of all
individuals, and a reliance on the existence of objective truth.

While we acknowledge that some may disagree with various elements of the Code of Honor, we
maintain the expectation that our students will commit to respect and uphold the Code while enrolled
at Liberty University.

Adherence to the principles and concepts established within facilitates the success of our students and
strengthens the Liberty community.

The Code of Honor can be viewed in its entirety at https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/

(https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/).

 Schedule

When Topic Notes

Course Overview Student Course Requirements Checklist

Acknowledgements
Advising Acknowledgement Quiz

Technology Integration Set- Tevera Access Link - CMHC Students

Up

Module: Intensive Learn Read: 3 items

Session(s)
Watch: 1 item

Apply Video Recording and Skills Observation: Monday

Assignment

Video Recording and Skills Observation: Tuesday

Assignment

Video Recording and Skills Observation:

Wednesday Assignment

Video Recording and Skills Observation:

Thursday Assignment

Quiz: Lecture Participation

Module 1 Learn Read: 7 items

Watch: 2 items

Explore: 2 items
When Topic Notes

Apply Quiz: Distance Counseling

Quiz: Emergency Acknowledgement and Contact

Information

Quiz: Informed Consent for Triad Practice

Quiz: Helping as a Personal Journey

Module 2 Learn Read: 3 items

Watch: 2 items

Apply Quiz: The Therapeutic Relationship

Module 3 Learn Read: 2 items

Watch: 3 items

Apply Quiz: The Cultural Climate and the Therapeutic Relationship

Module 4 Learn Read: 2 items

Watch: 2 items

Apply Quiz: Invitational Skills

Module 5 Learn Read: 2 items

Watch: 1 item

Apply Quiz: Reflecting Skills: Paraphrasing

Module 6 Learn Read: 2 items

Watch: 2 items

Apply Quiz: Reflecting Skills: Reflecting Feelings

Module 7 Learn Read: 2 items

Watch: 2 items

Apply Quiz: Advanced Reflecting Skills: Reflecting Meaning and

Summarizing

Module 8 Learn Read: 2 items

Watch: 2 items
When Topic Notes

Apply Quiz: Challenging Skills

Module 9 Learn Read: 2 items

Watch: 2 items

Apply Quiz: Assessment and Goal Setting

Module 10 Learn Read: 2 items

Watch: 1 item

Apply Quiz: Change Techniques, Part 1

Quiz: Triad Practice Progress - Change Techniques

Module 11 Learn Read: 3 items

Watch: 1 item

Apply Quiz: Intervention and Action: Change Techniques, Part II

Quiz: Triad Practice Progress - Change Techniques:

Intervention and Action

Module 12 Learn Read: 2 items

Watch: 2 items

Apply Benchmark Counseling Skills Assignment

Quiz: Outcome Evaluation and Termination Skills

Quiz: Triad Practice Progress – Outcome Evaluation and

Termination Skills

Module 13 Learn Read: 2 items

Watch: 2 items

Apply Quiz: Triad Practice Progress - Theory in Counseling

Module 14 Learn Read: 7 items

Watch: 6 items
When Topic Notes

Apply Benchmark Final Skills Competency Scale (SCS)

Participation Assignment

Self-Reflection and Self-Care Evaluation Plan Assignment

Quiz: Initial Live Supervision Participation

Quiz: Benchmark Live Supervision Participation

Quiz: Triad Practice Progress – Counselor Self-Care

Quiz: Dispositions Reflection