The Professional Development in Counseling Series Summer Institute

This series provides a stimulating selection of more than 20 two- and five-day workshops taught by experts in the field of counseling. These are offered at various locations across Pennsylvania, several at the Penn State University Park campus.

Two-Day Seminars  (1 credit or 14 hours or 1.4 CEUs)
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Challenges Facing Group Leaders: Understanding and Working with Difficult Behaviors in Groups

Registration closed.

Gerald Corey, Ed.D., Professor Emeritus, California State University at Fullerton
May 19-20 (Mon.-Tues.)
at Penn State University Park (State College)
May 23-24 (Fri.-Sat.)
at the Conference Center at Penn State Great Valley (Philadelphia)

Resistance in a counseling group is manifested in a variety of problematic behaviors by group members. These behaviors provide fruitful avenues of exploration that can reveal important clues about a member's interpersonal style outside the group. The focus of this course will be on the group leader's role in reducing resistance. If group leaders demonstrate a willingness to explore and understand members' resistive behavior, the group is likely to progress. The seminar will present strategies for creating trust in a group; dealing with difficult behaviors displayed by group members; exploration of group conflict within the group; teaching members how to recognize and deal with their resistance; and assisting both group leaders and members in dealing effectively with ways of working therapeutically with resistance in a counseling group. The participants will be encouraged to ask questions, to participate in small-group discussions and role-playing activities, and to become actively involved. 

top

New Approaches to Addressing Diversity

Courtland Lee, Ph.D., Professor, University of Maryland
May 30-31 (Fri.-Sat.)
at Penn State University Park (State College)
June 2-3 (Mon.-Tues.)
at the Regional Learning Alliance at Cranberry Woods (Pittsburgh)

Both counseling students and experienced practitioners can benefit from this course emphasizing skill development in multicultural counseling. The focus will be strengthening the following skills: (1) the ability to conceptualize an approach to counseling culturally diverse clients; (2) the ability to describe intervention barriers in multicultural counseling; (3) the ability to identify relationship problems in multicultural counseling; and (4) the ability to identify and evaluate relationship dimensions of power, control, oppression, and identity development in cross-cultural counseling relationships.

top

Counselor-Client Boundaries: Ethical and Legal Issues

Barbara Herlihy, Ph.D., University Research Professor, University of New Orleans
June 12-13 (Thurs.-Fri.)
at Penn State University Park (State College)

Perhaps no other ethical and legal issue has caused more controversy among helping professionals than determining the boundaries of the therapeutic relationship. The purpose of this seminar is to present and discuss specific boundary issues, such as bartering, social relationships, business or financial relationships, accepting gifts, self-disclosure, touching, and sexual attractions and relationships in the context of counseling and psychotherapy. Legal consequences for offending counselors will also be explored.

top

What's Sexuality Got to Do with It? Addressing Sexuality Issues in Counseling

Elizabeth Mellin, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Penn State University; Brandon Hunt, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Penn State University
June 19-20 (Thurs.-Fri.)
at the Regional Learning Alliance at Cranberry Woods (Pittsburgh)

This seminar will give an overview of sexuality issues related to counseling children, adults, and the elderly. It will provide some key strategies for addressing issues such as gender identity, sexual orientation, child and adolescent sexual development, HIV/AIDS, infertility, and infidelity in counseling settings. A review of popular media, completion of sexual history assessments, class discussion and debate, and experiential activities will be used to create an energetic, intensive, and practical learning experience for the participants.

top

Play Therapy Techniques: Working with Difficult Children

Teresa Christensen, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Old Dominion University
June 19-20 (Thurs.-Fri.)
at the Conference Center at Penn State Great Valley (Philadelphia)

(APT-Approved Provider 07-197)

This seminar is for beginning- and intermediate-skill-level persons in counseling who wish to increase their knowledge and clinical skills for working with difficult children in play therapy. Special attention will be given to incorporating various theoretical orientations, counseling interventions, and unique approaches for working with children who deal with a variety of issues. Video vignettes, role-playing, and instructor demonstrations will contribute to a dynamic, high-energy format.

top

Using Meditation and Mindfulness to Increase Therapeutic Presence in Counseling

Mark D. Stauffer, Ph.D., Oregon State University
June 19-20 (Thurs.-Fri.)
at Penn State University Park (State College)

June 23-24 (Mon.-Tues.)
at the Conference Center at Penn State Great Valley (Philadelphia) 

The purpose of this experientially focused course is to enhance the participants' ability to establish therapeutic presence with clients and to increase awareness of the here-and-now therapeutic process. This is accomplished through practices such as meditation to increase internal and environmental awareness. Furthermore, the seminar's focus on relaxed awareness will allow the participants to learn while having an opportunity to relax and replenish. In addition, the presenter will work with the participants throughout the course to demonstrate applications to the helping relationship.

top

Youth at Risk: The Suicidal Child and Adolescent

David Capuzzi, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Portland State University
June 23-24 (Mon.-Tues.)
at the Conference Center at Penn State Great Valley (Philadelphia)

This seminar will address the significant concerns of suicide and suicide prevention and will provide training needed by counselors to effectively assist persons at risk of attempting or completing suicide. It will cover myths connected with suicide; risk and protective factors for suicide; signs and symptoms; suicidal assessment; ethical and legal issues surrounding suicide, and counseling techniques with children, adolescents, survivors and their families. A varied format, including experiential exercises, will be used to introduce concepts and illustrate assessment and counseling techniques. Those planning to enroll in the seminar are encouraged to read Capuzzi's book Suicide Across the Life Span: Implications for Counselors (Capuzzi, 2004, American Counseling Association, 2004  ISBN 1-55620-232-6) prior to the course.

top

Breaking the Cycle of Youth Violence: Creating Safer Classrooms, Schools, and Communities

Richard Hazler, Ph.D., Professor, Penn State University; JoLynn Carney, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Penn State University
June 26-27 (Thurs.-Fri.)
at the Conference Center at Penn State Great Valley (Philadelphia)

The purpose of this seminar is to introduce the unique development aspects of youth violence and their relation to prevention and intervention efforts. This includes interactions between abusers, victims, bystanders, teachers, administrators, parents, other professionals and community members who work with children and adolescents.

top

Bullying, Hate Language, and the Power of Words

Catherine B. Roland, Ed.D., Professor, Montclair University
July 10-11 (Thurs.-Fri.)
at the Conference Center at Penn State Great Valley (Philadelphia)

Bullying and the use of hate language that take place in mid and later adolescence can affect self-concept, perception of well-being, academic achievement, interpersonal relationships, and sexual identity development. Counselors in all settings-community agency, school, higher education, and private practice-work with adolescents and their families around the impact of bullying. This seminar will examine the power of words and physical and emotional bullying, and will explore intervention ideas for counselors. The course will be participatory in nature and include role-playing, case studies, lecture, and discussion.

top

Countertransference and the Counselor's Inner Experience: Perils and Possibilities

Jeff Hayes, Ph.D., Professor, Penn State University
July 25-26 (Fri.-Sat.)
at the Regional Learning Alliance at Cranberry Woods (Pittsburgh)

This seminar will explore the inner world of the counselor and its influences on the process and outcome of counseling. Topics to be covered include historical and contemporary views of countertransference; perspectives on countertransference in predominant theories of counseling; and how to manage countertransference in a way that minimizes its adverse effects and maximizes its potential therapeutic benefits. The seminar will integrate current research findings with practical examples from the instructor's own clinical and supervisory work.

top

Using the Creative Arts in Counseling

Samuel T. Gladding, Ph.D., Professor, Wake Forest University
July 24-25 (Thurs.-Fri.)
at Penn State University Park (State College)

July 28-29 (Mon.-Tues.)
at the Conference Center at Penn State Great Valley (Philadelphia)

This seminar will examine the theories, processes, and techniques of using the creative arts in counseling. Particular attention will be given to the visual and verbal arts, such as drawing, cartooning, cinema, movement/dance, literature, drama, and music. Each of these forms-individually and in combination-is helpful in sensitizing clients to the world around them and the world within them. The participants will be given an opportunity to reflect on how they might use the creative arts in their work with clients throughout the life span. Specific techniques will be demonstrated through role-playing and case examples.

top

Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in School Counseling

Theodore P. Remley, Ph.D., Professor, Old Dominion University
August 7-8 (Thurs.-Fri.)
at the Conference Center at Penn State Great Valley (Philadelphia)

In this seminar the instructor, who is both a lawyer and a former school counselor, will review major challenges facing school counselors and will provide detailed suggestions for practicing in a manner that serves students well and avoids problems for counselors. Issues to be covered include obtaining legal advice, managing potentially suicidal or violent students, counseling children of divorce, keeping appropriate counseling records, dealing with confidentiality concerns, reporting suspected child abuse, responding to complaining parents or guardians, creating appropriate roles for school counselors in special education procedures, helping to protect vulnerable students in the school environment, and supervising counselors in schools.

top

Strategies for Closing Achievement Gaps

Jerry Trusty, Ph.D., Professor, Penn State University
August 11-12 (Mon.-Tues.)
at Penn State Harrisburg

Although some achievement gaps among racial-ethnic and lower socioeconomic groups have closed slightly over the last thirty years, significant gaps remain in elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and colleges. This seminar will offer research-based strategies for closing long-standing achievement gaps at the various developmental levels. The strategies to be presented are based mostly on large-scale longitudinal research studies focusing on educational outcomes. The seminar will be appropriate for school counselors, administrators, and teachers working in elementary, middle, and high schools.

top

Five-Day Seminars

Counseling and Teaching Youth at Risk

David Capuzzi, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Portland State University
June 16-20 (Mon.-Fri.)
at Penn State University Park (State College)

This seminar will examine individual, family, school, and community prevention and intervention techniques, and resources that can assist counselors in working effectively with at-risk youth. Topics to be considered include youth at risk for depression, suicide, drug abuse, eating disorders, early pregnancy, gang membership, AIDS, and date rape. Group work, videos and practical handouts, skills practice, etc., will contribute to a varied and dynamic format for this intensive five-day course.

It is recommended that, prior to the beginning of class on June 16, the students purchase and read Youth at Risk: A Prevention Resource for Counselors, Teachers, and Parents, 5th ed. (American Counseling Association, 2008), by David Capuzzi  and Douglas R. Gross.

top

Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Counseling

Barbara Herlihy, Ph.D., University Research Professor, University of New Orleans
June 16-20 (Mon.-Fri.)
at Penn State Wilkes-Barre

This seminar will provide an overview of ethical and legal issues related to the professional practice of counseling. The students can develop a conceptual framework for ethical decision making, learn skills for analyzing complex ethical dilemmas, and learn to manage a broad range of ethical and legal issues in counseling practice. The instructor will use a varied format, including video vignettes, role-playing, and small-group work.

top

Foundations of Addictions Counseling

Cass Dykeman, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Oregon State University
June 23-27 (Mon.-Fri.)
at the Regional Learning Alliance at Cranberry Woods (Pittsburgh)

This seminar will explore the fundamental principles of addictions counseling from a number of perspectives. These include the psychopharmacological aspects of alcohol and abusable drugs, along with theories and assessments of addictive disorders. Many treatment models will be considered and examined from the perspectives of individual, group, and family therapy. The courses will also address the research literature on co-dependence, COAs, AA and other twelve-step programs, dual diagnosis, relapse, prevention, and multicultural and gender issues.

top

Sexuality Issues in Adolescence

Melinda Haley, Ph.D., Mental Health Counselor, South Texas Rural Health Services
July 21-25 (Mon.-Fri.)
at Penn State DuBois

This seminar will focus on prevention, intervention, and current research around important topics of teen sexuality, such as teen pregnancy, AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, rape and date rape, and sexual predation. In each of these four areas the instructor will give an overview of prevention and intervention approaches from individual, family, school, and community perspectives. Individual risk factors will also be set forth as these relate to rape and date rape and sexual predators. The format will be varied and will include lecture and discussion, videos, small-group work, and PowerPoint presentations.

top

Spring '08

Couples and Family Counseling
CN ED 498C-3 credits
CN ED 5009A-32 hours/3.2 CEUs (noncredit)

The participants study the theory and practice of couple and family counseling, with an emphasis on models of family development and major approaches to intervention with couples and families. Systemic models of family intervention are emphasized, as well as other historically important and contemporary approaches to couple and family therapy. The ability to assess family dynamics-including rules, interactional styles, and coalitions-is stressed to help the participants develop effective counseling or treatment plans.

The course blends didactic and experiential learning for the purpose of providing the participants with the opportunity to develop skills and connect them to the appropriate knowledge base.

Dates and Location

May 9, 10, 16, and 17, 2008
8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Penn State Harrisburg

Course Objectives

1. Understand and apply the diverse theories and strategies of family therapy.
2. Learn to integrate the key elements of family therapy common to all models.
3. Learn and apply assessment and intervention strategies for couples' issues.
4. Assess the key issues in family development that may result in a family crisis.
5. Learn to develop a treatment plan for family counseling.
6. Conduct an initial family therapy interview through role play.

Required Text

S. T. Gladding. 2006. Family therapy: History, theory, and practice (4th ed.). Columbus, Ohio: Merrill/Prentice Hall.

top