COURSE SYLLABUS

Spring 2016

February 4 – May 12

Thursdays - 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Crisis and Traumatic Stress Counseling

03CO744 (3 credit hours)

Reformed Theological Seminary

Instructor: Dr. Stephen Russell, Psy.D., L.P.

704-638-9000 ext. 4288

SECTION 1: COURSE OVERVIEW

Communications Policy

Students are asked to communicate with their professor via email. Emails will be responded to within 24 hours Monday through Friday from 8 am until 4:30 pm. Emails sent after 4:30 pm on Fridays will be responded to by noon the following Monday. Email communication is the preferred method of contact; however, telephone conferences may also be scheduled in advance if additional support is requested.

Course Description

This class is a general introduction to the Biblical, scientific and clinical foundations of crisis intervention andposttraumatic stress counseling for pastors, ministry staff, and ministry leaders. Topics to be included in this study include: crisis case handling, telephone and online crisis counseling, posttraumatic stress disorder, crises of lethality, sexual assault, partner violence, substance use, personal loss and vicarious traumatization.

SECTION 2: COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Required and Supplemental Resources

Students are responsible for acquiring all but one of the following books for this course by the time the course begins (The newest edition of Crisis Intervention Strategies listed below is scheduled for availability on 2/26/15):

Required:

  • English Standard Version (ESV): Genesis, Exodus,Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel,1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Job,ThePsalms of David and Moses, John, Luke, Acts,Pauline Epistles, Revelation. (Please read with a focus on crisis andtrauma.)
  • Yarhouse, M.A., Butman, R.E., & McRay, B.W. (2005). Modern psychopathologies: A comprehensive Christian appraisal. Downers Grove, Ill.: Intervarsity Press. ISBN: 978-0-8308-2770-1
  • Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. (5thed.). (2013). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association.
  • *Do not attempt to purchase before attending class – Latest Edition Available 2/26/15 – MindTap Printed Access Code for Electronic Version of: James, R.K., & Gilliland B. E. (2015). Crisis intervention strategies. 8th Edition. Cengage. ISBN: 978-1-305-86043-8

Optional Texts:

  • *Do not attempt to purchase before attending class – Latest Edition Available 2/26/15 – Hard-Copy Text of: James, R.K., & Gilliland B. E. (2015). Crisis intervention strategies. 8th Edition. Cengage. ISBN: 978-1-305-86043-8
  • Johnson, E. (2010). Psychology & Christianity: Five views (2nded.). Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP Academics. ISBN978-0830828487
  • Dowd, E.T., & Nielsen, S.L. (2006). The psychologies in religion: Working with the religious client.New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company. ISBN 0-8261-2856-4.

Crisis Intervention Strategies Website Information

Students may purchase the MindTap electronic version of Crisis Intervention Strategies directly through the following ISBN: 9781305860438.

24/7 Technical Support for Electronic Book and Online Resources

There is 24/7 technical support located at the following website:

Method of Evaluating Student Performance

Assignments / Weight
Quizzes / 25%
Case Presentations / 25%
Papers / 25%
Exams / 25%
TOTAL / 100%

Class Participation

It is required that students be present for all class sessions. If a student is “providentially hindered” from attending class, if possible, please notify the instructor. It is expected that students will keep current in their reading and complete assignments on time. Failure to comply with these standards will result in grade reduction, unless other arrangements have been made.

Grading Scale

The following grading system is followed by RTS:

Grade / Percentage / Quality Points
A / 97-100 / 4.00
A- / 94-96 / 3.66
B+ / 91-93 / 3.33
B / 88-90 / 3.00
B- / 86-87 / 2.66
C+ / 83-85 / 2.33
C / 80-82 / 2.00
C- / 78-79 / 1.66
D+ / 75-77 / 1.33
D / 72-74 / 1.00
D- / 70-71 / 0.66
F / Below 70 / 0.00
I / Incomplete / -
W / Withdraw / -
S / Satisfactory / -
P / Passing / -

SECTION 3: COURSE SCHEDULE

Week / Readings/Resources Used / Topic / Activities/Assignments / Due Dates
1 / Modern Psycho-pathologies, Ch. 1.
DSM-5
ESV / Historic Pastoral Care and Disordered Desires / Weekly Quiz
Case Presentation / February 4
2 / Modern Psycho-pathologies, Ch. 2.
DSM-5
ESV / Biological and Sociocultural Foundations of Mental Illness / Weekly Quiz
Case Presentation / February 11
3 / Modern Psycho-pathologies, Ch. 3.
DSM-5
ESV / Classifying Mental Disorders / Weekly Quiz
Case Presentation / February 18
4 / Modern Psycho-pathologies, Ch. 4.
DSM-5
ESV / Sin and Psychopathology / Weekly Quiz
Case Presentation / February 25
5 / Modern Psycho-pathologies, Ch. 5.
DSM-5
ESV / Problems of Anxiety / Weekly Quiz
Case Presentation / March 3
6 / Crisis Intervention Strategies, Ch. 1.
Crisis Intervention Strategies, Ch. 2.
DSM-5
ESV / Approaching Crisis Intervention
Culturally Effective Helping / Weekly Quiz
Case Presentation / March 10
No Class / Read ahead / Spring Break - Review Topics / Complete Paper for Next Week / March 17
7 / Crisis Intervention Strategies, Ch. 3.
Crisis Intervention Strategies, Ch. 4.
DSM-5
ESV / The Intervention and Assessment Method
The Tools of the Trade / Weekly Quiz
Case Presentation
Paper #1 Due / March 24
8 / Crisis Intervention Strategies, Ch. 5.
Crisis Intervention Strategies, Ch. 6.
DSM-5
ESV / Crisis Case Handling
Telephone and Online Crisis Counseling / Mid-Term Exam / March 31
9 / Crisis Intervention Strategies, Ch. 7.
Crisis Intervention Strategies, Ch. 8.
Modern Psycho-pathologies, Ch. 6.
DSM-5
ESV / Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Crisis of Lethality
Problems of Mood / Weekly Quiz
Case Presentation / April 7
10 / Crisis Intervention Strategies, Ch. 9.
Crisis Intervention Strategies, Ch. 10.
Modern Psycho-pathologies, Ch. 10.
Modern Psycho-pathologies, Ch. 11.
DSM-5
ESV / Sexual Assault
Partner Violence
Problems of Personality
Problems of Sexuality / Weekly Quiz
Case Presentation / April 14
11 / Crisis Intervention Strategies, Ch. 11.
Crisis Intervention Strategies, Ch. 12.
Modern Psycho-pathologies, Ch. 7.
Modern Psycho-pathologies, Ch. 13.
DSM-5
ESV / Chemical Dependency: The Crisis of Addiction
Personal Loss: Bereavement and Grief
Problems of Social Impact
Problems in Older Adulthood / Weekly Quiz
Case Presentation / April 21
12 / Crisis Intervention Strategies, Ch. 13.
Crisis Intervention Strategies, Ch. 14
Modern Psycho-pathologies, Ch. 12.
DSM-5
ESV / Crisis in School
Violent Behavior in Institutions
Problems in Childhood and Adolescence / Weekly Quiz
Case Presentation / April 28
13 / Crisis Intervention Strategies, Ch. 15.
Crisis Intervention Strategies, Ch. 16
Crisis Intervention Strategies, Ch. 17.
Modern Psycho-pathologies, Ch. 14.
DSM-5
ESV / Crisis/Hostage Negotiation
Human Service Workers in Crisis
Disaster Response
The Modern Psychopathologies: Challenges and Opportunities / Weekly Quiz
Case Presentation
Paper #2 Due / May 5
14 / All Readings/Resources / All Topics / Final Exam / May 12

Last updated: 10/7/181 | Page