The aim of this course is to enable prospective counselors to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical foundations, fundamental principles, and techniques of counseling and to apply this knowledge in counseling practice. The course is designed to help students understand the perspectives of major counseling theories on the counseling process, the essential characteristics of the counseling relationship, the stages of counseling, and the fundamental intervention techniques used in counseling. The course seeks to develop students’ competencies in planning, conducting, and evaluating the counseling process, as well as their ability to select and implement intervention techniques appropriate to clients’ needs. In this regard, students are expected to analyze the beginning, working, and termination stages of the counseling process, evaluate the therapeutic elements of the counseling relationship, and establish connections between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Furthermore, the course aims to foster an understanding of counseling practice that is consistent with ethical principles and professional standards, promotes sensitivity to client diversity, and contributes to the development of the professional knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for advanced practicum, supervision, and individual counseling courses.

Definition, purpose, and fundamental characteristics of counseling; historical development of counseling; major counseling theories and their perspectives on the counseling process; characteristics of the counseling relationship and therapeutic conditions; stages of the counseling process; goal setting and intervention planning in counseling; fundamental principles and techniques used in counseling; intervention methods for understanding clients’ emotions, thoughts, and behaviors; theoretical foundations of counseling skills and techniques used in individual counseling; intervention techniques based on different theoretical approaches; termination and follow-up procedures in counseling; ethical principles and professional standards in counseling; and the examination of counseling principles and techniques through case studies and practical applications.