WESTERN SEMINARY

Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling

CNS 5620 Solution Focused Pastoral Counseling

 2 credit hours

Norman Thiesen, Ph.D.

517-1864; nthiesen@westernseminary.edu

Fall Semester, 2004

 

 

SYLLABUS

 

Course Description

This course will focus on developing counseling skills within a ministry perspective.  The emphasis will be on solution-focused and brief models of counselor interventions.  The biblical and theological rationale for this model will also be explored.

 

Course Objectives

Cognitive:   -able to list assumptions of brief/solution focused counseling

                    -able to provide examples of brief/solution focused techniques

                    -provide a biblical rationale for use of theory and techniques

                   

Affective:    -ability to utilize theory and techniques in own life

                    -gain a basic comfort level in utilizing techniques in a helping context

 

Textbooks

Required:

.

·         Kollar, Charles. (1997).   Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling.  Grand Rapids:  Zondervan

·         Bidwell, Duane  (2004)    Short-Term Spiritual Guidance.  Minneapolis: Fortress Press

·         Professor handouts

 

Course Requirements

Reading

 

1.       Read both texts and class handouts at mastery level.  Come to class prepared to discusses assigned reading sections. 

 

            2.   Read a book from the bibliography list and write a 2 page book reaction/report. 

 

3.       Present the unique aspects of the book to the class.  Provide a handout and lead the class in a discussion of the material.

 

 

 

 

According to Western Seminary standards there are two levels

Familiarity level.  This level assumes knowledge of the material assigned and leads to accountability in class. (45 pages per hour)

Mastery level. Reading at this level will average about 20 pages per hour and assumes careful reflective interaction with the ideas, note taking, and will lead to accountability in class, and papers at a mastery level (1000 pages = 50 hours). 

These are intended to serve as flexible guidelines or rules of thumb; they are not thought to be rigid.  It is certainly understood that books are printed with varying numbers of words per page and written to varying reading levels.

Each assignment should be completed before the class session so that you will be able to participate in and benefit from the class discussions.

 

      

     Written Work

1.       Take some aspect or problem area of your life and using solution/brief principles attempt to change that area.  Write a 3 page paper on the analysis of your results, i.e., insights gained, problems encountered, what do different to make successful, etc.

 

2.       “Counsel” someone for 2 sessions utilizing brief/solution focused techniques.  Write a 1 page analysis of each session.

 

3.       Write a 2 page summary paper on how you view the contents of this course being integrated into your ministry goals and context.

 

 

Papers must be written to a near-thesis standard. That is, minimum format standards must be met, as defined below. English grammar, idiom and spelling must be up to graduate level. Always include a strong introduction paragraph-declare what you intend to show the reader-and conclusion paragraph. Qualities valued include clarity, succinctness, and precision.

·          1" margins top, bottom and sides

·          Double-space

·          12-point standard.

·          Indent paragraphs .5 inch

·          No extra line-feed between paragraphs (Format-Paragraph-Space After)

·          Underline section headings

·          Staple; no paperclips, folders, or fanfold

·          Page numbers

·          Title page is preferred. Any paper sent by email must include a title page.

All work must reflect Master's Level use of the English Language.  Plagiarism will result in failure of the first assignment so discovered.  A second instance will result in failure in the course.

 

 

 

Grading Scale:

 

               Attendance and participation    50

               Text readings                          50

               Change paper                         50

               Counseling paper                    75

               Book report                            50

               Book presentation                   50

               Summary paper                      75

 

            Grade will be determined by points accumulated and curved by class standing.      

            Points deducted for late assignments.

 

 

 

 

 

Tentative Course Outline

 

Class Session

Class Date

Topic & Assignment

Class Orientation

9/13

 

Development of

9/20

Bidwell  1-2

Theory

9/27

Kollar    1-4

Bidwell  3

Theory

10/4

 

Theory

10/11

Kollar    5-8

Techniques

10/18

Kollar    9

Bidwell  4

Techniques

10/25

Kollar   10-11

Bidwell  5

Techniques

11/1

Kollar   12-13

Bidwell  6

Techniques

11/8

Kollar    14-15

Bidwell  7

Techniques

11/15

Kollar    16

Bidwell   8

Techniques

11/22

Bidwell   9

 

11/29

Presentations     Book Report

 

12/6

Presentations     Counseling Paper

 

12/13

Presentations     Personal Change Paper

 

12/20

                           Summary Paper

 

             

 

 

 

Bibliography

 

Cade, Brian, & O’Hanlon, Bill.  A Brief Guide to Brief Therapy

 

DeJong, Peter & Berg, Insoo Kim.  Interviewing for Solutions

 

de Shazer, Steve.  Keys to solution in Brief Therapy

 

O’Hanlon, Bill.  Do One Thing Different

 

O’Hanlon, Bill & Weiner-Davis, Michelle.  In Search of Solutions

 

Weiner-Davis, Michele.  Fire Your Shrink