CO/PC 750: Crisis Counseling Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary Charlotte Summer 2013 July 22 26 Instructor: Rodney L. Cooper, Ph.D. Office Phone: 704 940 5832; E mail: rodneylcooper@carolina.rr.com Class Schedule: The course will meet from Monday, July 22 Friday July 26: 9 am to 4 pm. Attendance and full participation are included in final evaluation. Office Hours: By appointment COURSE SYLLABUS Course Description: Crisis counseling will be viewed from the perspective of the Christian pastor and the Christian counselor. Biblical and theological perspectives are integrated with social studies having to do with healing processes. Various crises will be studied. Course objectives will be met through a combination of lecture, small and large group discussion, reflective exercises and small group and/or individual class presentations. The overall purpose of this course is to equip the counselor to minister in emergency room situations from an emotional and psychological framework. Gordon Conwell Mission CO/PC 750 relates to the purpose of Gordon Conwell by equipping the student to engage people compassionately and redemptively in catastrophic life events and personal crisis. The incarnational aspect of ministry as a Christian Therapist and Pastoral counselor is most evident in crisis situations. It is here where people must encounter the compassion and grace of God and find Christ to be not only their Lord but also their Shepherd.
Course Relation to the Curriculum: The focus of this course in the counseling curriculum is to help the Christian Counselor and Pastoral Counselor to engage those in the midst of crisis with the needed skills to bring comfort, healing and a redemptive perspective. The student is equipped to deal with issues of grief, loss and recovery. COURSE OBJECTIVES: 1. Understand the nature of crisis, along with psychological, relational and spiritual implications 2. Appreciate the differences between crisis counseling and interpersonal psychotherapy 3. Explore specific commonly occurring crises such as the death of a loved one, financial crisis, addiction, etc. 4. Explore theological responses to the problem of suffering and evil 5. Appreciate the necessity of self care for those involved in the helping fields COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Achievement of the course objectives will be measured through a variety of assignments and activities describes below. The successful completion of these activities will require each student to spend approximately 130-135 hours devoted to coursework both in class and out of class. The following break-down of assignments indicates how these hours are distributed across various course assignments. ASSIGNMENT EXPECTED TIME STUDENTS ACTUAL TIME Textbooks/Reading 40 hours Written papers 1-3 30 hours Presentation work 20 hours Class time 30 hours Preparation for quiz 10 hours TOTAL 130 hours COURSE MATERIAL: 1. TEXTBOOKS: The following books should be read in their entirety. 1. Floyd, S. (2008). Crisis counseling: A guide for pastors and professionals. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications. 2. Worden, J. W. (2008). Grief counseling and grief therapy: A handbook for the mental health practitioner (4 th ed.). New York: Springer Publishing.
2. READING: 3. Choose one of the following books regarding a theology of suffering (or another one on this topic) Biebel, D. B. (1995). If God is so good, why do I hurt so bad. Colorado Springs, CO: Revell. Crabb, L. (2001). Shattered dreams: God's unexpected pathway to joy. Colorado Springs, CO: Waterbrook Press. Hubbard, G. (2009). More than an aspirin: A christian perspective on pain and suffering. Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House. Kreeft, P. (1986). Making sense out of suffering. Ann Arbor, MI: Servant Books. Lewis, C.S. (1996). The problem of pain. New York, NY: HarperCollins. Peterson, E. (1996). The message: Job: Led by suffering to the heart of God. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress Publishing. Rankin, P. (1988). Yet will I trust him: Accepting the sovereignty of God in times of need. Ventura, CA: Regal. Rogers, M. (2008). Losing God: Clinging to faith through doubt and depression. Downers Grove, Ill: IVP Books. Schaffer, E. (1993). Affliction. A compassionate look at suffering. Grand Rapids, MI: Raven's Ridge. Yancey, P. (1997). Disappointment with God: Three questions no one asks aloud. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. To develop an adequate foundation in crisis counseling and to raise awareness of current trends in research and practice, students are expected to read from a variety of sources. In addition to the above requirement, other academic texts may be chosen from the recommended bibliography available on Sakai in order to prepare for the presentation or be chosen by the student, as long as they pertain to the course topics. Articles from current professional journals in the field of counseling are excellent sources of current information. Most sources should be written for a professional rather than lay audience 3. ASSIGNMENTS: A. Brief Written Exercises: Each of the following papers should be no more than 4 double spaced pages. More details will be given in class. a. Construct a narrative synthesis of the information gained from interviewing someone who has experienced a crisis. Refer to template provided on Sakai. Due: Monday, Sept. 23, 2013. All papers to the professor are to be put on Sakai.
b. Complete the same template for yourself (see above.) Construct a narrative synthesis of the information as it pertains to you. Due: Monday, Sept. 23, 2013. c. Read the entire book of Job. Record any insights you glean, such as causes of suffering, people s response to suffering, attempts at making sense of suffering, God s response to Job, specific attributes displayed by God, etc. Due: Monday, Sept. 23, 2013. B. Class presentation: a. Each student will present on a particular topic during the week of class. Presentation should include statistics, vulnerabilities to crisis, common results of event (psychological, relational, emotional, spiritual, medical, etc.), best treatment practices (both clinical and pastoral), implications for client system, and relevant scripture and/or theological principles. Please engage the topic creatively and thoughtfully. More details will be discussed in class. Current journal articles will be helpful particularly in understanding empirically validated and effective treatment approaches. C. Quiz: There will be a 20 question multiple choice, T/F question quiz on the textbook. The quiz will be administered Friday morning. Evaluation: Reading: 30 Written exercises I: 10 Written exercise II: 10 Written exercise III: 10 Class presentation: 20 Quiz: 20 LATE WORK: No papers will be accepted after the dates in the syllabus unless a crisis has occurred. Crisis does not mean the following: I didn t have enough time, My printer broke down, My computer died etc. Explanations will be allowed in case of a crisis and then appropriate measures will be given always with a spirit of grace.
Bibliography Books Allender, Longman, D. & Longman, T. (1994). The cry of the soul. Colorado Springs: NavPress. Berkley, J. D. (1989). Called into Crisis. Carol Stream, Illinois: Word. Brueggemann, W. (2009). An unsettling God: The heart of the Hebrew Bible. Minneapolis: Fortress Press. Carlson, D. & Carlson, S. W. (1989). When life isn t fair. Eugene, OR: Harvest House. Collins, G. R. (1988). Christian counseling: A comprehensive guide. Waco, TX: Word Books. Conway, J., Conway, S., & Sanders, B. (1989). Trusting God in a family crisis. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. Dobson, J. (1993). When God Doesn t Make Sense. Wheaton: Tyndale House. James, R. & Gilliland, B. E. (2009). Crisis Intervention Strategies (6th ed.). New York: Brooks/Cole. Hoff, L., Hallisey, B. & and Hoff, M. (2009). People in crisis: Clinical and diversity perspectives. New York: Routledge. Humphrey, K. M. (2009). Counseling strategies for loss and grief. Alexandria,VA: American Counseling Association. Lester, A. D. (1985). Pastoral care with children in crisis. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press. Neenan, M. (2009). Developing resilience: A cognitive-behavioural approach. New York: Routledge. Rankin, P. (1988). Yet will I trust Him: Accepting the sovereignty of God in times of need. Ventura, CA.: Regal Books. Rogers, M. (2008). Losing God: Clinging to faith through doubt and depression. Downers Grove, Ill: IVP Books. Rowatt, G. W. (1989). Pastoral care with adolescents in crisis. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press. Slaikeu, K. & Lawhead, S. (1987). Up from the ashes. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Stone, H. (1993). Crisis counseling (revised ed.). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress. Stowell, J. (1991). The upside of down: Finding hope when it hurts. Chicago: Moody Press. Stroebe, Margaret S., et al. (2008). Handbook of bereavement research and practice: Advances in theory and intervention. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Swihart, J. & Richardson, G. (1987). Counseling in times of crisis. Waco, TX: Word Books. Switzer, D. K. (1989) Pastoral Care Emergencies: Ministering to People in Crisis. Mahwah, N.J.: Paulist Press. Switzer, D. K. (1993). Crisis intervention and problem solving. In R. Wicks, R, Parsons, & D. Capps (Eds.), Clinical Handbook of Pastoral Counseling (vol.1 pp. 132-61). Mahwah, N.J.: Paulist Press. Walter, C. A. & McCoyd, J. L. M. (2009). Grief and Loss Across the Lifespan: A Biopsychosocial Perspective. New York: Springer. Wright, H. N. (1993). Crisis Counseling: What to Do and Say during the First 72 Hours. Ventura, CA: Regal Books. Wright, H. Norman. (2003). The new guide to crisis & trauma counseling. Ventura, CA: Regal Books. Yancey, P. (1997). Disappointment with God: Three questions no one asks aloud. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. Yancey, P. (2002). Where is God when it hurts? Grand Rapids: Zondervan. Specific Crises Anderson, S. J. (1988). When Someone Wants to Die. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press. Arnold, J. H. & Gemma P. B. (1983). A child dies: A portrait of family grief. Rockville, MD: Aspen Systems Corporation. Berger, A. (Ed.). (1989). Perspectives on death and dying: Cross cultural and multidisciplinary views. Philadelphia: Charles Press. Biebel, D. B. (1995). If God is so good, why do I hurt so bad? Colorado Springs: NavPress. Brooks, F. & McHenry, B. (2009). A contemporary approach to substance abuse and addiction counseling: A counselor s guide to application and understanding. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
Capuzzi, D. (2009). Suicide prevention in the schools: Guidelines for middle and high school settings. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association. Carr, L. & Carr, G. (1990). The Fierce Goodbye. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. Clarke, R. (1986). Pastoral care of battered women. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox. Dass-Brailsford, P. (ed.). (2010). Crisis and disaster counseling: Lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina and other disasters. Los Angeles: Sage. Dershimer, R. A. (1990). Counseling the bereaved. New York: Pergamon Press. Doka, K. J. (2009). Counseling Individuals with Life-Threatening Illness. New York: Springer. Doyle, P. (1980). Grief counseling and sudden death. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas. Fischoff, J. (1981). Before and after my child died. New York: Highly Specialized Promotions. Hawton, K. & Chalan, J. (1982). Attempted suicide: A practical guide to its nature and management. Oxford, MA: Oxford University Press. Kearney, R.T. (2001). Counseling sexually abused children, a handbook for families and churches. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. Kuba, C. A. (2006). Navigating the journey of aging parents: what care receives want. New York: Routledge. Kujawa-Holbrook, S. A. & Montagno, K. B (Eds.). (2009). Injustice and the Care of Souls: Taking Oppression Seriously in Pastoral Care. Minneapolis: Fortress Press. Margolis, O. S. (ed.). (1981). Acute grief: Counseling the bereaved. New York: Columbia University Press. Martin, G. (1987). Counseling for family violence and abuse. Waco, TX: Word Books. Oliver, G. J. & Wright, H. N. (1992). When anger hits home. Chicago: Moody Press. Park, Crystal L. (2009). Medical illness and positive life change: can crisis lead to personal transformation. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Richards, L. (1980). Death and the caring community: Ministering to the terminally ill. Portland, OR: Multnomah Press.
Sanders, C. M. (1989). Grief, the mourning after: dealing with adult bereavement. New York: Wiley. Schiff, H. S. (1977). The bereaved parent. New York: Crown. Schoenberg, B., (ed.). (1980). Bereavement counseling. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. Weaver, A.J. & Koenig, H.G. (2009). Pastoral care of alcohol abusers. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.
Syllabus Addendum Academic Standards Cheating and plagiarism are considered serious breaches of personal and academic integrity. Cheating involves, but is not necessarily limited to, the use of unauthorized sources of information during an examination or the submission of the same (or substantially same) work for credit in two or more courses without the knowledge and consent of the instructors. Plagiarism involves the use of another person s distinctive ideas or words, whether published or unpublished, and representing them as one s own instead of giving proper credit to the source. Plagiarism can also involve over dependence on other source material for the scope and substance of one s writing. Such breaches in academic standards often result in a failing grade as well as other corrective measures. For more information, please consult the Student Handbook. ADA Policy The seminary complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. A student with a qualifying and authenticated disability who is in need of accommodations, should petition the seminary in accordance with the stated guidelines in the Student Handbook. Cancellation of Class In the event the seminary has to cancel a class meeting (impending storm, professor illness, etc.), the Registration Office will send out an email (via the GCTS email account) notification to all students registered in the respective course. If the cancelation occurs the day of the scheduled meeting, the Registration Office will also attempt to contact students via their primary phone contact on record. The professor will contact the students (via GCTS account) regarding make-up. If a weekend class is cancelled, the class will be made up during the scheduled Make-Up weekend (see the academic calendar for the designated dates). For more info, consult your Student Handbook. Extension Policy Arrangements for submission of late work at a date on or before the last day to submit written work, as noted on the seminary s Academic Calendar, are made between the student and professor. Formal petition to the Registration Office is not required at this time. This includes arrangements for the rescheduling of final exams. However, course work (reading and written) to be submitted after the publicized calendar due date, must be approved by the Registration Office. An extension form, available online, must be submitted to the Registration Office prior to the last day to submit written work. Requests received after this date will either be denied or incur additional penalty. For a full discussion of this policy, please consult the Student Handbook.
Grades Grades are posted on-line within twenty-four hours of receipt from the professor. Students are expected to check their CAMS student portal in order to access posted grades. Those individuals, who need an official grade report issued to a third party, should put their request in writing to the Registration Office. Faculty have six weeks from the course work due date to submit a final grade. Returned Work Submitted course work will be returned to the student provided s/he provides a self addressed and postage paid envelope with his/her final work. Work submitted without the appropriate envelope will be destroyed once the grade has been assessed and issued.