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CNSL 6331: Techniques in Marriage and Family Therapy
Spring 2011 Syllabus
Instructor: Vagdevi V. Meunier, Psy.D.
Office Number: Premont Hall room 328
Office Hours: Wednesdays 4:00 to 6:00 pm (By appointment)
Telephone: 428-1278
Email (preferred) [email protected]
Course Description
This course covers the major approaches to couples and family therapy, with a focus on theory and
conceptual models, assessment, overview of professional issues and ethics, clinical case examples
of therapeutic practice and the integration of theory with specific cases. Students will participate in
experiential family and couples therapy simulations. An added emphasis will be on understanding
and incorporating the postmodern, feminist and multicultural critical perspectives in family therapy.
Since this is a techniques and practice course, please come prepared to discuss cases, participate in
simulations, and take an active role in the learning.
Prerequisites: All core courses and CNSL 6365
Learning Objectives
Students who successfully complete CNSL 6331 will demonstrate the following competencies:
1. Awareness of and ability to use a systems perspective to clinical work and demonstrate the
ability to articulate differences between individual versus systemic techniques and models.
2. Knowledge and application of techniques and philosophy of at least two systems theories and
the history of their development.
3. Intermediate counseling skills in working with couples and families that build upon the skills
developed in core courses listed above. This includes being able to understand and apply the
necessary ethical standards of clinical practice and professional guidelines in conducting
couples and family therapy as part of in-class practice as well as in all assignments.
4. Willingness and ability to give and receive constructive feedback, integrate feedback into
clinical skills so that growth and learning can be observed as the course progresses.
5. Application of skills in case conceptualization, theory-based treatment planning, tailoring of
treatment, selective borrowing of techniques, treatment adherence, and relapse prevention
General Policies
Attendance Students are expected to attend every class, be on time, and stay for the entire class
period. Students are allowed one absence (excused or unexcused) without penalty. Two or more
absences will result in the reduction of a letter grade for each additional absence. Please let the
instructor know in advance, personally or by email, if you know you will not be able to attend a
class. Attendance will be taken at each class. If a student is late or departs early by more than ten
minutes in two class meetings, it will count as an absence.
Each class will build upon previous ones so any absence will put you behind in the course. Every
absence will have a significant impact on the group learning process and tardiness disrupts the flow
and cohesion of class. You are responsible for obtaining information and/or materials that you lack
due to absence, tardiness or early departure.
The quality of your learning experience in this class as well as that of your peers will depend
substantially on your active participation, collaboration, and engagement with the material. A
commitment to actively engage in classroom activities, to complete assignments on time, to
collaborate, and give and receive feedback is essential. A sequence of assignments will be
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CNSL 6331: Techniques in Marriage and Family Therapy
Spring 2011 Syllabus
discussed in class and will contribute substantially to development of the case conceptualization and
treatment plan papers. See the proposed course schedule for details and due dates.
Accommodations for Special Needs students: I am happy to accommodate special needs for students with
appropriate documentation as well as advance notice. Please let me know early in the semester so I can work with you
on adjustments that need to be made. In order to get academic accommodations, please present appropriate
documentation concerning your special needs or disability to the Academic Planning and Support Office in Moody Hall,
Rm 315. Students will not be granted accommodations without the official letter from the office above. For tutoring
assistance please call 448-8660.
Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism: Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty. As defined in the most recent
edition of the St. Edward’s University Student Handbook 2007-2008 (p.24), plagiarism includes turning in as your own
work any drafts, papers, or homework that incorporates any ideas or actual writing done by others (or from the Internet)
without acknowledging the source you used. A grade of zero may be given for any project that is plagiarized.
All students are expected to read and comply with the “Student Code of Conduct” published in the SEU student
handbook. Plagiarism and academic dishonesty, intentional or not, is a violation of the American Counseling
Association’s Ethical Standards and the SEU “Student Code of Conduct”. The Student Handbook states
“representing work as your own when it is not a result of your thought and effort is a violation of the St.
Edward’s Academic Honesty policy. The normal penalty for a student who is dishonest in any work is to
receive a mark of F for the course”
It is the student’s responsibility to know what constitutes academic dishonesty and plagiarism and to avoid committing
these offenses in any student work. Please see the SEU student handbook, pages 92-103 for definitions. Please refer to
the APA manual 5th edition for other details.
Required Textbook
Gehart, D. R. (2009). Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy: A practical approach to theory
and clinical case documentation. NY: Brooks/Cole.
Recommended Textbooks
Please see attached list of popular books you can use for the conceptualization paper
Nicolas and Schwartz. (2007) Third Edition. Essentials of Family Therapy. Boston: Pearson
Carlson, J., Sperry, L., and Lewis, J. (2005). Family Therapy Techniques. NY: Routledge.
Other readings (which may include videos) as assigned or suggested will be announced in class and
posted on SEU’s Blackboard site for this course. All students are expected to check the blackboard
site at least once a week because ANY changes to the course, including any changes in meeting
schedules, deadlines, or detailed instructions for assignments will be posted there.
Assignments
1. Posting on Blackboard Discussion Board: At least ten (10) times during the semester.
Students who post a substantial amount at the very end and not throughout the semester may
lose points. Postings on discussion board may include reactions to classroom activities, lecture,
discussion, role-plays, readings, or outside material on family therapy that you have read that
you wish to bring to the attention of your classmates. Posing questions or asking for
clarification will also count as posting. IMPORTANT: At least Three (3) of your discussion
forum postings should be descriptions of your theoretical orientation, how you developed this
orientation, and how it informs your clinical case conceptualization. This will be very important
to do before you begin writing your case conceptualization paper because getting feedback and
clarity on this will greatly improve your grade on that first paper.
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CNSL 6331: Techniques in Marriage and Family Therapy
Spring 2011 Syllabus
2. Case Conceptualization Paper You will select a book to read that describes a family or couple
for a case study. You will complete a comprehensive assessment that will serve as a guide to
treatment planning. The paper should be 10-15 pages in length using APA style. Specific
guidelines will be provided on blackboard. PLEASE DO NOT USE ACTUAL CLIENTS FOR
THESE TWO ASSIGNMENTS (Ask me why in class)
3. Treatment Planning Paper Using the case conceptualization paper to inform treatment
planning, a theory-based treatment plan will be developed for the couple or family you selected.
The paper should be 5-10 pages in length using APA style. Specific guidelines will be provided
on blackboard.
4. 2 Role Play Presentations of Technique You will select two techniques from the models you
study in this class. You will study the technique in depth and demonstrate it in class, once
informally and once formally. You will orally explain to the class your rationale for the
selection of the technique and then demonstrate it in class. You will provide a description,
written in APA style, of the technique which will be distributed to your instructor and
classmates. The in-class presentation should be a maximum of 45 minutes and the description
should be a maximum of two pages. Feedback will be provided by peers and instructor on
counseling style, integration of theory and technique, and impact on couple or family. Specifics
will be discussed and further refined in class.
5. IMPORTANT: All papers are to be submitted in electronic form on the Blackboard Turnitin
link. Please label papers and computer (uploaded) files with your firstname+last initial+ date of
submission (e.g. vagdevim_paper1_jan23_11 or vagdevim ppr1_012311). No paper (hard copy)
submissions will be accepted. If you do not have access to a computer in your home or work,
there are computer labs at St. Edwards that you are able to use as a student. In case of extreme
hardship, please discuss with me and make an alternate arrangement by the second week of
classes.
Course Grade
Grades in this course are impacted by tardies, early departures, absences, late completion of work,
and lack of participation in addition to performance on the papers and role plays. Scheduled work
turned in late will not be accepted more than one week late and will be penalized five points. There
is no method for accruing extra credit in this class to compensate for failure to meet attendance or
assignment requirements. All papers in this class require students to conform to APA guidelines.
Papers turned in that do not conform to APA guidelines will be graded accordingly.
Discussion Board Postings
Case Conceptualization Paper
Theory Based Treatment Plan
Clinical Role Play
100 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
100 points total
90-100 %
80-89%
70-79%
below 69%
A
B
C
F
(I reserve the right to make changes to the course schedule or syllabus – The general policies and
learning objectives will not change. The details of the assignments and the schedule may change. I will
give you advance notice of all changes and will give you an updated final syllabus if necessary).
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CNSL 6331: Techniques in Marriage and Family Therapy
Spring 2011 Syllabus
Course Schedule*
Date
TUESDAYS
1. January 25
2. February 1
3. February 8
Topics
Introductions. Review of syllabus, course requirements, and grading
criteria. Review of systems vs individual orientation to therapy.
Readings: Gerhart: chapter 1 + blackboard readings
Lecture, discussion and clinical application. Review of systems theories.
Readings: Gerhart: chapters 2-3 + blackboard readings
Lecture, discussion and clinical application.
Discuss Theoretical Orientation and case conceptualization
4. February 15
Readings: Gerhart: chapter 4 + blackboard readings
Classsical family therapy models: Lecture, discussion & clinical application
Discussion of case study papers: Pick the book you will read
5. February 22
Readings: Gerhart chapters 5-6 + blackboard readings
Fisher article on Experiential Therapy (blackboard)
Activity: Camera Shutter exercise plus role play in groups
6. March 1
Mid-term check-in
7. March 8
March 15
8. March 22
10. March 29
Readings: Gerhart – Postmodern models
Articles on blackboard on Social Constructionism
Activity on Social Constructionism – reliability of perception
Readings: Gerhart: chapters 7-8
Lecture, discussion and clinical application.
SPRING BREAK
Reading assignment: TBA
Case Conceptualization paper due.
Readings: TBA
Lecture, discussion, and clinical application
Class Role Play: ___________________ and ___________________
11. April 5
Lecture, discussion and application of reading to treatment planning.
Integration of case conceptualization with treatment planning, especially
selection of techniques. Discussion of case studies.
Class Role Play: ___________________ and ___________________
12. April 12
Class Role Play: ___________________ and ___________________
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CNSL 6331: Techniques in Marriage and Family Therapy
Spring 2011 Syllabus
13. April 19
Class Role Play: ___________________ and ___________________
14. April 26
Last Class – Wrap Up
and Evaluations
Class Role Play: ___________________ and ___________________
15. May 3
Treatment planning paper due. No class meeting.
*This is a proposed course schedule. Advance notice of any changes will be given to you if it
becomes necessary or useful to make modifications. Modifications may be made as a result of
collaboration between the instructor and students.
List of popular books for conceptual paper
Below is a list of selected novels and memoirs that the student may use when preparing and writing the case
study papers. The student must read the entire book and not consult with films or literature assistance (i.e.,
Spark or Cliff notes.) If you have previously read any of the books on this list, please select another title so
that you can bring fresh, systemic eyes to the narrative.
Falling: The story of one marriage by John Taylor
Ordinary People by Judith Guest
Breathing Lessons, Anne Tyler
The Solace of Leaving Early, Haven Kimmel
Barefoot Heart, Elva Trevino Hart
Unless, Carol Shields
The Rest of Her Life, Laura Moriarty
The Whistling Season, Ivan Doig
!Caramba!, Nina Marie Martinez
The Magician’s Assistant, Ann Patchett
The Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan
Ava’s Man, Rick Bragg
Martin Dressler, Steven Milhauser
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, Michael Chabon
The Bluest Eye, Toni Morrison
Lucky, Alice Seebold*
Cane River, Lalita Tademy
The Dive from Clausen’s Pier, Ann Packer
Places Left Unfinished at the Time of Creation, John Phillip Santos
Blessed by Thunder, Flor Fernandez Barrios
Walking Across Egypt, Clyde Edgerton
Black and Blue, Anna Quindlen*
Knee Deep in Wonder, April Reynolds
Bless Me, Ultima, Rudolfo Anaya
Brother to a Dragonfly, Will Campbell
Reconciliation Road, John Douglas Marshall
Garden Angel, Mindy Friddle
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CNSL 6331: Techniques in Marriage and Family Therapy
Spring 2011 Syllabus
The Liar’s Club, Mary Karr
Gilead, Marylynne Robinson
Blessings, Anna Quindlen
Pigs in Heaven, Barbara Kingsolver
A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini
Three Junes, Julia Glass*
Divine Secrets of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells
*These novels contain graphic content that may be difficult for some readers.