G.D. in Couple Counselling and Spirituality

Space for reflection, deepening and integration of various perspectives, with particular attention to the spiritual dimension of the practice of psychotherapy, and that of the psychotherapist. Examination of various spiritual paradigms so as to identify certain points of convergence that are useful for understanding the issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion, an approach to reflection on practice is proposed, to support and promote the professional development of the psychotherapist and the safe and effective use of self. Presentation of psychospiritual models of intervention for the purpose of providing clinical and practical approaches.

This course presents a history of the family systems theories with individuals, couples, and families with a major focus on advanced family systems theories and interventions. Theories covered include Structural, Strategic, Bowen, Narrative, Solution Focused and more. Attention is paid to assessment of functional and dysfunctional family systems. The student/practitioner will learn interviewing, assessment and restructuring techniques, and how to explore family rules, systems, values and boundaries.

The goal of this course is to provide a conceptual framework, including theory, research and interventions that will enable the students to understand and treat trauma and violence in couples and family relationships. The course will present an attachment perspective and research on trauma and outline advanced family systems therapeutic assessments and interventions for trauma survivors and their families.

Introduction to spirituality as an essential dimension of human experience across the lifespan. Key concepts and theories of spiritual development and their relevance to clinical evaluation and treatment from spiritual and psychological perspectives. The different expressions of spirituality, the relationship between stages of moral development and images of the divine and transcendent, and the dialogue between spirituality and psychology. The importance of psychology in discerning between a healthy spirituality, which is enriching for the person and for their integral development, and a spirituality that must be called unhealthy, which eliminates human freedom, autonomy and responsibility.

The goal of this course is to present an overview of the theory, research, clinical and treatment issues related to trauma and childhood sexual abuse. This course will introduce the theories of trauma from a family systems perspective. Effects of sexual abuse in terms of developmental issues over the life span, associated symptomatology of sexual abuse and trauma, and related clinical issues and practices.

The goal of this course is to present an in depth examination of the specific characteristics, dynamics and best therapeutic practices in working with individual, couples and families affected by chronic addiction. It will focus on the challenges faced by professionals working with the addicted person or family and will teach ways to overcome those challenges. It will offer information regarding recovery issues and will provide students with systemic therapy interventions and resources for their work with this population.

Theoretical study of couple and family therapy, therapy application to various situations and within role plays, and video of various expert intervention modalities, effective use of self in counselling and psychotherapy, counselling and psychotherapy sessions with clients (couples and/or families), including clinical supervision with psychologists or registered psychotherapists, at the Counselling and Psychotherapy Centre of Saint Paul University. Topics include advanced systems theory (EFT (therapy focusing on emotions); psychodynamic (imago; object relations, solution-centred); cognitive behaviour; attachment theory). Graded P/F.

Advanced Systemic Therapeutic Interventions: commitment and evaluation, use of self, the integration of spirituality, diverse and multicultural populations. Graded P/F.
Prerequisite: IPA6140.

Deepening of clinical techniques and skills gained through IPA6140 and IPA6141. Graded P/F.
Prerequisite: IPA6141.

Deepening of clinical techniques and skills gained through IPA6140, IPA6141 and IPA6142. Graded P/F.
Prerequisite: IPA6142.

Introduction to the psychology of individuals, couple and family development and growth and provided knowledge of personality development over the life span. This course will review attachment over the life span, the stages of development from childhood to adulthood, and corresponding changes in family roles, as well as advanced therapeutic interventions.

This course examines the representation, practices, and issues of love and relationships. These issues will be examined through various systems theories, and then brought into everyday applied practice for counselors. The course will present aspects of love in committed relationships, review the literature and psychology theory on these aspects, and work with doing applied therapy on these aspects.

The goal of this course is to provide an overview of the history and nature of theories of couple counselling. This course will introduce the central theories and concepts guiding couple therapy, including attachment, family systems, Emotionally Focused, experiential, and humanistic and the recent research related to couple therapy. There will be a particular focus on the skills, assessment and practice associated with Emotionally Focused therapy. Couple relationships both on the conscious and unconscious levels of functioning are examined and conceptualized.

The purpose of this course is to present the history and development of dysfunctions in the field of human sexuality and to survey various treatments for couples. This course will examine the human development of sexual expressions in their male and female dysfunctions; the biological and psychological determinants; sexual dysfunction and marital interaction and sexual assessment and applied treatment within individual; and couple therapy.