Course Syllabus

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ADC520: Trauma and Crisis Counseling

Undergraduate Syllabus

Instructor & Contact Information

The People tab in Canvas provides information on the course instructor and you can send a message to your instructor following these instructions. Faculty are expected to: 1) grade and return assignments, with feedback, within 7 days from the date of submission; 2) reply to your Canvas messages within 72 hours; 3) reply several times each week in total in the discussion forums (not to each individual student); and 4) demonstrate the core values of City Vision University.

Course Description

This course provides students with a foundational understanding of the impact of trauma and crisis on individuals, families, and communities.  Emphasis will be on the research, theory, skills, and attitudes essential for working with those suffering from traumatic stress. Students will learn trauma-informed practices and procedures useful for prevention, assessment, intervention, and treatment. Special attention is given to the intersection of trauma, crisis, and addiction. This course combines psychological insights with biblical principles to address the impact of trauma on the human spirit, emphasizing the transformative power of God's love and grace in the journey towards healing.

Required Texts

Students are required to purchase these texts before the first day of classes. 

Course Outcomes

After completing this course, you will be able to:

  1. Identify the history of the discipline trauma counseling and crisis intervention.
  2. Analyze crisis intervention strategies and their role in de-escalation and trauma-informed care.
  3. Reflect on your own history of trauma and how that might influence your ability to counsel and support clients in crisis and/or with a trauma background.
  4. Compare and contrast the diagnostic criteria of Acute Stress Disorder (ASD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD).
  5. Develop treatment plans and techniques based on the type of trauma-related diagnosis (ASD, PTSD & C-PTSD) and other factors.
  6. Create a trauma-informed care plan for your organization.
  7. Evaluate clinical approaches to crisis intervention and trauma in light of a biblical perspective.
  8. Assess and respond to your own potential for burnout, compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma given your current context.

Degree Program Outcomes

Degree outcomes are the overall skills and knowledge we expect you will have after successfully completing a degree program at City Vision University. After completing the degree, you will be able to do the following in each of the listed domains. Domains covered in this course are marked with an asterisk.

  1. Addiction Counseling *. Develop plans and function in the eight practice domains of addiction counseling including: 1) Clinical Evaluation, 2) Treatment Planning, 3) Referral, 4) Case Management, 5) Counseling, 6) Client Education, 7) Documentation and 8) Ethics including transdisciplinary foundations.
  2. Christian Counseling *. Integrate the theory and practice of addiction counseling into a Christian worldview to effectively serve and apply professional ethics in secular counseling and Christian counseling environments.
  3. Co-occurring Disorders. Provide counseling, treatment plans and referrals to those with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders.
  4. Addiction Psychopharmacology. Develop effective addiction treatment based on knowledge of a range of psychoactive drugs and be able to educate clients and provide referrals needed to provide comprehensive treatment.
  5. Family Counseling. Provide counseling to families affected by addiction and assist them in moving toward healthy family dynamics.
  6. Trauma & Crisis Counseling *. Provide effective counseling to those experiencing crisis or having a history of trauma.
  7. Multicultural Counseling. Utilize effective methods to counsel diverse clients in both Christian and secular counseling environments.

Concentration Outcomes 

    1. Group Counseling. Facilitate group counseling sessions based on an understanding of group dynamics in addiction treatment. 
    2. Counseling Theory. Synthesize counseling theories to develop treatment plans for those with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders.
    3. Counseling Skills & Techniques. Apply counseling theories and techniques in addiction counseling including motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and 12-step group facilitation.
    4. Clinical Evaluation. Conduct thorough assessments and diagnoses of substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
    5. Professional Ethics. Apply the ethical and professional principles, standards, and expectations that are integral to a professional counselor's role and identity.
    6. Behavioral Addiction. Provide counseling to those dealing with behavioral addictions as well as conducting self-assessment to maintain balance avoiding and personally avoiding behavioral addictions.

Outline & Course Alignment with CACREP Standards and SAMHSA TAP21 Competencies

  • Week 1. Foundations of Trauma and Crisis Intervention
    • CACREP Standards
      • 2.F.3. Human Growth and Development: g
      • 2.F.2. Social and Cultural Diversity: a
      • 2.F.5.A.2. Addiction Counseling Contextual Dimensions: a, b, c, d, e
    • SAMHSA TAP21 Competencies
      • A.IV. Transdisciplinary: Professional Readiness
      • B.I.a. Screening
      • B.I.a. Assessment
  • Week 2. Trauma and Crisis Interventions and Assessments
    • CACREP Standards
      • 2.F.7. Assessment and Testing: b,i
      • 2.F.5.A.1. Addiction Counseling Foundations: b, e,
      • 2.F.5.A.3. Addiction Counseling Practice: a, b
    • SAMHSA TAP21 Competencies
      • A.I. Transdisciplinary: Understanding Addiction
      • A.III. Transdisciplinary: Application to Practice
      • B.V.a. Individual Counseling
  • Week 3. Trauma Informed Care and Crisis Intervention Skills
    • CACREP Standards
      • 2.F.5. Counseling and Helping Relationships: d,m
      • 2.F.3. Human Growth and Development: g
      • 2.F.1. Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice: j
      • 2.F.5.A.2. Addiction Counseling Contextual Dimensions: b,c,
      • 2.F.5.A.3. Addiction Counseling Practice: d,e,g
    • SAMHSA TAP21 Competencies
      • A.II. Transdisciplinary: Treatment Knowledge
      • A. III. Transdisciplinary: Application to Practice
      • B.I.a. Screening
      • B. III. Referral
      • B.VI. Client, Family, and Community Education
  • Week 4: Phases of Trauma Treatment
    • CACREP Standards
      • 2.F.5. Counseling and Helping Relationships: h, j
      • 2.F.5.A.1. Addiction Counseling Foundations: d
      • 2.F.5.A.3. Addiction Counseling Practice: b,e,f
    • SAMHSA TAP21 Competencies
      • A.III. Transdisciplinary: Application to Practice
      • B.II. Treatment Planning
      • B.V.a. Individual Counseling
  • Week 5. Types and Characteristics of Trauma
    • CACREP Standards
      • 2.F.3. Human Growth and Development: g
      • 2.F.5.A.3. Addiction Counseling Practice: b,f
    • SAMHSA TAP21 Competencies
      • A.IV. Transdisciplinary: Professional Readiness
      • B.VIII. Professional and Ethical Responsibilities
  • Week 6. PTSD and Suicide
    • CACREP Standards
      • 2.F.3. Human Growth and Development: g
      • 2.F.5. Counseling and Helping Relationships: l
      • 2.F.5.A.1. Addiction Counseling Foundations: d,e
      • 2.F.5.A.2. Addiction Counseling Contextual Dimensions: b
      • 2.F.5.A.3. Addiction Counseling Practice: b,e
    • SAMHSA TAP21 Competencies
      • A.II. Transdisciplinary: Treatment Knowledge
      • A.III. Transdisciplinary: Application to Practice
      • B.II. Treatment Planning
      • B.V.a. Individual Counseling
  • Week 7: Community/Organization Crisis Prevention and Intervention
    • CACREP Standards
      • 2.F.5. Counseling and Helping Relationships: m
      • 2.F.5.A.1. Addiction Counseling Foundations: b,d
      • 2.F.5.A.2. Addiction Counseling Contextual Dimensions: b,e,f,g
      • 2.F.5.A.3. Addiction Counseling Practice: b, e,
    • SAMHSA TAP21 Competencies
      • A.II. Transdisciplinary: Treatment Knowledge
      • A.III. Transdisciplinary: Application to Practice
      • B.II. Treatment Planning
      • B.VI. Client, Family, and Community Education
  • Week 8. Counselor Self-Care in Crisis
    • CACREP Standards
      • 2.F.1. Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice: l
    • SAMHSA TAP21 Competencies
      • A.IV. Transdisciplinary: Professional Readiness
      • B.VIII. Professional and Ethical Responsibilities

Guidelines for Written Work

All written work must follow our Writing Format and Forum Requirements. You must read these to understand how to cite sources appropriately.

Critical Policies to Read for This Course

Note: These policies are critical for all students to read. In case of change, we have linked to the versions on our website to make sure you have the latest version.

Additional Policies:

This syllabus is subject to change without notice up until the first day of the semester. Last updated: January 17, 2024

Course Summary:

Date Details Due