DEPARTMENT OF COUNSELOR
EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY
DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN COUNSELING
MHS 7406-OPTIMAL HUMAN FUNCTIONING AND DEVELOPMENT IN
COUNSELING
(3 credit hours)
Catalog
A critical review and application of theory and research on
human strengths and positive psychology relating to developmental issues in
counseling and psychotherapy, including physical and mental health, close
intimate relationships, and career development.
Course
Rationale
Counseling personnel have long been involved in developmental counseling and therapy, i.e., promoting good health and preventing mental, physical, and relational disorders. This course focuses on applying counseling, psychoeducational, and psychotherapeutic strategies and methods in optimizing human strength and well-being. Six major themes are studied: the healthy personality, talents and strengths, positive mental health, well-being in the workplace, intimacy development, and career development and synchrony. It emphasizes the counselor’s role in facilitating optimal functioning development at home, at work, and in the community in ways that prevent or reduce risks and strengthen personal and social resources.
Course Goals and Objectives
Goals:
To understand and assess an individual’s developmental level and strengths and plan appropriate interventions to optimize human strength and well-being.
Objectives:
Specific course objectives include:
· To establish a critical, understanding of the theory and research on human strengths and positive psychology relating to developmental issues
· To recognize and appreciate the multicultural and ethnic factors involved in human functioning and development.
· To assess personality structure, strengths, and talents in individuals and couples
· To enhance skill and facility in applying counseling, psychoeducational, and psychotherapeutic strategies and methods in optimizing human strength and well-being.
· To recognize ethical and professional considerations in facilitating optimal functioning development, reduce risks, and strength personal and social resources.
Required and Recommended
Readings
Required Texts:
Walsh, W. (2003). Counseling psychology and optimal human functioning. Mahweh, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Keyes, C. & Haidt, J. (2003). Flourishing: Positive psychology and the life well-lived, Washington, DC: American Psychological Association Books.
Recommended Text:
Ivey, A., Meyers, J. & Sweeney, T. (2005).
Instructional Method
Lecture, videotape examples, discussions, library research, and classroom presentations.
Grading
Attendance and Active Class Participation 10 %
Reading/Reflection Reports 25 %
Clinical
Personal Theory/Practice Paper and Presentation 25 %
Final Exam 15 %
Types of Assessment/ Grading Criteria
Attendance and Active Class Participation: The attendance policy (attached) for the
Counseling program will be followed. Full credit is given for attending all class meetings and
for moderate to high level of active participation.
Reading/Reflection Reports: This 3 page double spaced paper should summarize and critically
review key themes and add your personal and professional reactions and reflections on those
themes on the assigned readings. Full credit is given to papers that are turned in at the
beginning of the given class period.
Clinical
Each student will make a brief presentation, demonstrate a developmental counseling
intervention, and moderate class discussion. A minimum of 15-20 minute live or
videotaped clinical demonstration of counseling to optimize human functioning or
development. Full credit will be given for demonstrations and presentations that are
effectively enacted/presented.
Research Paper: A research paper demonstrating critical reflection on the theory, research
and clinical practice involving a key topic in developmental counseling is to be chosen in
consultation with the instructor. Using APA style (5th edition), the paper should be in the range
of 25-40 pages. Full credit is given to papers that are turned on or before the assigned date.
Final Exam: A take home short essay examination that allows the student to review their own
personal learning involved in this course.
Topical Course Outline/ Schedule of
Classes
Week
Topic
1
Course overview K&HBIntroduction
2
Healthy personality
W-Ch. 1; K&H Ch. 1
3
Healthy personality W-Ch. 2; K&H Ch. 2
4
Multicultural perspective on optimal human functioning W- Ch. 6 &
7
5
Talents and strengths W- Ch. 4; K&H Ch. 3
6
Virtues and strengths W-Ch.
10; K&H Ch. 5 & 12
7
Positive mental health W- Ch. 6; K&H Ch. 10 & 13
8
Positive mental health W- Ch. 7; K&H Ch. 11
9
Assessment of optimal functioning W- Ch. 11
10 Intimacy development W- Ch. 9; K&H Ch. 6
11 Career development and relational synchrony W- Ch. 5
12 Career development W- Ch. 10; K&H Ch. 8
13 Well-being in the workplace K&H Ch. 7& 9
14 Well-being in the workplace W- Ch. 12& 13
15 Course wrap-up; take home final exam due
Key to
reading assignments: K&H== Keyes & Haidt book;
W= Walsh book
Bibliography
Bornstein, M., Davidson, L., Keyes, C. & Moore, K. (eds.). (2003). Well-being: Positive development across the life course. Mahweh, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The psychology of optimal experience. New York: Harper.
Emmons, R. (1999). The psychology of ultimate concerns: Motivation and spirituality in personality. New York: Guilford.
Gottman, J. (1998). Psychology and the study of marital processes. Annual Review of Psychology, 49, 169-197.
Maslow, A. (1964). Religion, values, and peak-experiences. Columbus: Ohio State University Press.
McAdams, D. & St. Aubin, E. (Eds.). (1998). Generativity and adult development: Psychosocial perspectives on aging for and contribution to the next generation. Washington, DC: Americna Psychological Association Books.
Ryff, C. & Keyes, Singer, B. (1998). The contours of positive mental health. Psychological Inquiry, 9, 1-28.
Seligman, M. (1975). Helplessness: On depression, development and death. San Francisco: Freeman.
Seligman, M. (2003). Authentic happiness. New York: Free Press.
Snyder, C. & Lopez, S. (Eds.). (1999). The handbook of positive psychology. New York: Oxford University Press.
Sperry, L. (2002). Spirituality in clinical practice: Incorporating the spiritual dimension in psychotherapy and counseling. New York: Brunner-Routledge.
Sperry, L. From psychopathology to transformation: Retrieving the developmental focus in psychotherapy. Journal of Individual Psychology, 58, 4, 398-421, 2002.