Competency-Based Counseling(CBC)
This course introduces students to the rudiments of CBC: an intense therapeutic modality that focuses on key issues facing the client, aims at quickly developing a plan for change, and helps the client take concrete actions. Students are exposed to specific CBC strategies in the contexts of Philippine realities and the students' specific disciplines, e.g., as counselors, pastoral ministers, teachers, community organizers, and the like.
Counseling Foundation 1: The Psychology and Theology of Personhood
This course provides an overview of the different psychological and theological perspectives in understanding the person. It surveys representative theories of personality to equip students to understand their own and other people's personality. Personal growth will also be facilitated through structured learning exercises, group sharing, and personal reflections.
Child and Adolescent Counseling
This course trains counselors in cases involving children and adolescents. It surveys problems of the child and the adolescent which counselors often meet. It focuses on skills the ministers often need as a first-line interventionist or counselor in cases involving oppositional behavior, sexual abuse, substance abuse/dependence, adjustment disorders and others. It explores systemic strategies which support the growth of the child and the adolescent as well as the strengthening of the parent-child relationship. Prerequisites: Counseling Foundation 1 and Counseling Foundation 2
Community-Based Counseling
This course provides an overview of the communitybased counseling model–its philosophy, principles, and strategies. It situates the discussion of the basic concepts and strategies in the context of Philippine realities, specifically in communities characterized by social deprivations. Learning is facilitated through field exposures, lecturettes, class discussions, interactions with resource persons, and personal reflections.
Counseling Foundation 2: Counseling Principles and Practices
This is a skills course which introduces students to the study and practice of counseling. It focuses on the theoretical approaches to counseling and understanding of the counseling process, and the application of counseling skills and techniques to different situations. It offers students culturally sensitive views combined with basic counseling skills such as understanding the problem, listening, responding, case formulation, problem solving, and the making of referrals.
Counseling Internship
The student is required to do internship work in at least two settings to insure adequate exposure and equipping in major areas of counseling ministry in the Philippines . Coaching, mentoring, and supervision are provided by a designated ATS faculty member, in coordination with a cooperating staff in the student's place of internship. Foreign students may be allowed to undertake their internship program in their own countries, as long as the requirements for close supervision and monitoring are strictly followed.
Counseling Integration Seminar
This course gives students the opportunity to consolidate the various competencies they have gained from the various core counseling subjects. Employing a seminar approach to learning, students choose a particular model of counseling which is applied to a selected case. Students are expected to complete the entire intervention process, inter alia assessment/ diagnosis, intervention planning, implementation, monitoring, and closure. Students share and critique their cases in simulated case conferences. This course will help M.A. Counseling and M.Div. Counseling students prepare for the required comprehensive examinations. Prerequisites: Eight Concentration Courses
Crisis Intervention
This course introduces the student to the basic tenets of crisis theory and crisis intervention. Through a series of simulated exercises, the student develops basic competencies in crisis assessment, crisis intervention/counseling, and crisis resolution. The student is also mentored on how to conduct Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD).
Grief Counseling (Ministry with Dying and Grieving Persons)
This course offers students an opportunity to combine reflection with classroom learning and fieldbased inquiry on a range of approaches to grief ministry. The course will equip those involved in pastoral care–counselors, Christian educators, missionaries and ministers alike–to know much about death, dying, and grieving.
Group Counseling
This is an introductory course on the basic concepts, theories, and practice of group counseling. It provides students an understanding of group dynamics and group development and equips them with skills in assessing and facilitating group process. Learning is facilitated through lecturettes, class discussions, simulation exercises and "live" supervision. Prerequisites: Counseling Foundation 1 and Counseling Foundation 2
Issues in Professional Growth
This course applies psychology and counseling to selected issues that concern the counselor as a person and as a professional. These issues include personal growth, spiritual formation, networking, career path considerations, continuing education, need for collegial relationship, supervision, and related issues. It analyzes different ethical dilemmas that counselors and pastors face and provides some guidelines in ethical decision making.
Marriage and Family Counseling
This is an introductory course on the dynamics of marriage and family life founded on basic Christian principles and viewed from various counseling approaches. It surveys theoretical approaches, concepts, and tools to understand and counsel couples and families more effectively. With focus on the marital dyad, the course is interfaced with discussions on various problems and issues faced by couples and families such as adultery, violence, separation, and other forms of dysfunction. The course also provides opportunities for students to apply basic concepts, tools, and techniques in family counseling with supervision. Prerequisites: Counseling Foundation 1 and Counseling Foundation 2
