472 Basic Intervention & Assessment Skills

Upholding the complementary relationship between assessment and intervention, t his course is designed to provide students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level clinical practice. In the area of intervention, the course familiarizes students with the essential elements of the psychotherapeutic relationship, common factors in counseling and psychotherapy, meta-theoretical views on human change processes and basic multicultural competency in helping relationships. In the area of assessment, the course covers intake interviewing, the mental status exam, risk assessment and the DSM-IV-TR multi-axial approach to diagnosis. Students also learn about informed consent, confidentiality and the importance of clinical documentation, while solidifying their ability to compose cogent assessment reports and treatment plans. (3 credits)