CMHC 550 Couples, Marriage, and Family Counseling

This course is designed to assist in understanding the role of counseling in facilitating relationship balance and well-being among married and/or unmarried couples and families. In contemporary society, there is a wide range of affectional/sexual orientations, gender identities, and couples from diverse and multicultural backgrounds (i.e., cultural, SES, age, intercultural, religious affiliation, and so forth). This course introduces family systems theory, structures, and models, and techniques for counseling with married and/or unmarried couples and families, and identifies common stressors that affect balance in relationships, such as intimate partner violence, poverty, and substance abuse. The emphasis on cultural competence will be woven throughout the course. Course delivery methods for teaching and learning include online, blended, and face to face modalities.