Information Package / Course Catalogue
Contemporary Counseling Theories
Course Code: PDR505
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: Second Cycle (Master's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 3
Prt.: 0
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 5
Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to provide comprehensive information on contemporary counseling approaches and to help students develop an understanding of historical, philosophical and technical issues in the process of contemporary counseling approaches.

Course Content

Students learn contemporary counseling theories in the focus of psychoanalytic approach, behavioral approach, cognitive approach, humanistic approach and post-modern approaches. They recognize contemporary counseling theories in comparative techniques, limitations, and strengths. In addition, students are supported to reach theoretical integration by determining their own counseling orientation as a counselor.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.The closeness and hierarchy of contemporary counseling theories
2.Understanding the main historical development in contemporary counseling
3.Understanding the limitations and strengths of contemporary counseling theories
4.Developing the student's own counseling orientation
5.Achieving the competence to apply theory and technique integrations as a psychological counselor
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Corey, G. (2001). Theory and practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy.
2.Sommers-Flanagan, J. & Sommers-Flanagan, R. (2015) Counseling and psychotherapy theories in context and practice. Skills, Strategies, and Techniques (2nd Ed.). Wiley
3.Granello, H. D. & Young. M. E. (2019). Counseling today. Foundations of professional identity (2nd Ed.). The Merill Counseling Series.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Fundamental of counseling. Psychological counselor: As a person and specialist
Week 2 - Theoretical
Psychoanalytic approaches: Today's understanding reached in the historical process
Week 3 - Theoretical
Person-centered approaches. Humanistic approach, emotion-focused counseling
Week 4 - Theoretical
Existential theory: Life stages and negative life experiences
Week 5 - Theoretical
Gestalt theory. Philosophy and counseling process
Week 6 - Theoretical
Behavioral theory. Psychological counseling methods in behavior change
Week 7 - Theoretical
Cognitive behavioral theory. An individual who is an expert in his own life
Week 8 - Intermediate Exam
Midterm
Week 9 - Theoretical
Post-modern approaches: How did we get here?
Week 10 - Theoretical
Feminist counseling. Effects of traditional feminism on counseling
Week 11 - Theoretical
Constructivist approach. Social constructivism and narrative approach.
Week 12 - Theoretical
Solution-focused short-term counseling
Week 13 - Theoretical
Identifying counselor orientation: Integrative approach
Week 14 - Theoretical
Identifying counselor orientation: Eclectic approach
Week 15 - Theoretical
Identifying the counselor orientation: Pluralistic counseling
Week 16 - Final Exam
Final Exam
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Assignment1%20
Midterm Examination1%20
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory143384
Assignment110212
Midterm Examination110111
Final Examination115318
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)125
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
OÇ-1
5
4
5
4
5
4
5
4
5
4
5
4
4
OÇ-2
4
4
5
4
4
4
5
4
5
4
5
4
5
OÇ-3
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
5
4
4
4
5
4
OÇ-4
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
5
4
5
4
5
4
OÇ-5
5
5
5
4
4
5
4
5
4
5
4
5
4
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026