Pre-requisite Course(s)

COUN210 Microskills in Counselling and Psychotherapy

PSY110 Biological Bases of Behaviour

Course Aims

This course is an introduction to the basic principles and knowledge of counselling for addictive behaviours. Various perspectives on the phenomenon of addiction (e.g., biochemical, behavioural, existential, etc) will be explored.  Students will obtain an overview of a broad spectrum of addictive behaviours including but not restricted to substance abuse.  A variety of approaches to supporting and treating persons working to overcome or reduce addictive behaviour will be covered. Issues regarding aetiology, treatment, and prevention of several types of addictive behaviour will be addressed.

1. Distinguish major biopsychosocial principles and processes at work in the etiology

    and prevention of addiction;

 

2. Express an empathic grasp of the phenomenological features of the lived experience

    of addiction;

 

3. Apply several theoretical and therapeutic frameworks, approaches, and interventions

    for the treatment and support of people suffering from addiction;

 

4. Synthesize objective data, subjective reports, case studies, and therapeutic

    paradigms into grounded, integrative accounts of addiction and addiction

    counselling;

 

5. Distinguish unifying themes of theoretical principle and therapeutic practice between

    the subdiscipline of addiction counselling and counselling and psychotherapy in

    general.