Siena Heights University
member to design and implement a professional development plan, which includes a timeline. When the
professional development plan has been fulfilled, the student may again reapply. The student is not guaranteed
permission to register for and participate in the practicum and/or the internship. Additional information about field
experiences can be found in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Field Placement Manual.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Course Descriptions
CMH 602
RESEARCH AND PROFESSIONAL WRITING IN COUNSELING
3
Required of all counseling students, except in situations when a previous research course, at the graduate level,
is accepted for transfer from another University. Examines the role of research in developing the counseling
profession, including how to critique research to substantiate best practice in clinical mental health counseling.
Overviews basic statistical methods utilized in research and examines quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method
designs. Discusses design and analysis of needs assessment, program evaluation, and counseling outcome
measures. Reviews ethical standards related to research in counseling. Explores culturally-sensitive strategies for
designing, implementing, interpreting, and reporting the results of research, program evaluation, and counseling
outcome measurement.
CMH 620
FOUNDATIONS OF CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING
3
A survey course designed to present the history, philosophy, core values and trends in the counseling profession
and, specifically, in clinical mental health counseling. Explores counselor roles, functions and relationships with
other human service providers, including those related to advocacy, social justice, outreach and emergency
response. Discusses differences between prevention and intervention. Examines mental health delivery and
managed care systems. Overviews credentialing, licensure and professional organizations pertinent to counseling
specialties, including mental health counseling. Explores the expanding role of technology, including social
networking, in counseling.
CMH 623
PSYCHOLOGY OVER THE LIFESPAN
3
Explores a variety of perspectives on individual and family development including: cognitive, psychodynamic,
existential, systems and neurobiological. Surveys personality theory. Explores situational and environmental
factors that affect development, including transitional crises and trauma. Explores theories for facilitating optimal
development and resilience across the lifespan. Explores the impact of exceptionality and disability on human
development.
CMH 626
RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING IN COUNSELING
3
This competency-based laboratory course, focuses on acquiring and developing counseling skills fundamental to
the relationship-building and exploratory phases of the counseling process. Students explore the impact of
counselor characteristics and behaviors on the counseling process. Students engage in reflective activities
designed to strengthen counselor resilience, to heighten awareness of personal values and to enhance
appreciation of client strengths and potentials.
Prerequisites: CMH620 and 623.
CMH 629
COUNSELING THEORIES AND PROCEDURES
3
A survey of major counseling theories: historical, contemporary and emergent. This course is designed to help
students appreciate the theoretical grounding and research behind various counseling techniques and procedures
and to help them begin to develop an integrated personal theory of counseling. Discusses the use of research to
inform evidence-based practice.
CMH 632
ETHICS AND LEGAL ISSUES IN COUNSELING
3
This course addresses the wide array of ethical and legal issues faced by contemporary counselors. Students will
become familiar with the codes of ethics of the American Counseling Association and the Association of Clinical
Mental Health Counselors. They will learn frameworks for making ethical decisions and will apply an
understanding of ethical and legal issues to case scenarios. Students will become familiar with both HIPPA and
FERPA, as well as with legislation and case law related to counseling in Michigan. They will explore the
developing body of work on ethics for counselors in the digital age.
Prerequisites: CMH620 and 626.
Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 2016-2018
314