Note: More complete descriptions of these courses, including course prerequisites, are found in the Antioch University Los Angeles General Catalog for 2006-2008.

Courses required for all M.A. in Clinical Psychology students:

PSY 501A Process of Interpersonal Psychotherapy I
2 Units
This course introduces principles and skills involved in providing relational psychotherapy. Students develop skills through role-play and dyadic work with classmates, and also learn basic principles of crisis intervention.

PSY 510 Introduction to Psychological Theory and Practice
Noncredit
This course (required only for incoming students who do not have a recent bachelor’s degree in psychology) provides an overview of psychology with particular emphasis on developmental, abnormal psychology and the history of psychology.

PSY 512A Field Study: Psychology and Society
2 Units
This field study course is designed to broaden students' awareness of the diverse people and communities with which they will work as future professionals in psychology, and to develop awareness of self in society. Students select community settings of interest, carry out field visits, and share learning with classmates and instructor through classroom dialogue or on First Class, the Antioch email network.

PSY 531A Personality Theory I: Psychodynamic Theories
3 Units
This course is an introduction to modern psychodynamic theories of personality, beginning with Freudian and Jungian foundations, and continuing with study of self-psychology and object-relations theories. The focus is on basic assumptions and concepts of significant theorists, with attention also to application in clinical practice.

PSY 532A Personality Theory II: Comparative Contemporary Theories
3 Units
Students survey theoretical issues and clinical application of selected humanistic, existential, cognitive-behavioral, narrative and transpersonal approaches to psychology and psychotherapy. Attention is also given to postmodern alternatives to traditional personality theories.

PSY 535 Systems Theories and the Family
3 units
This course is an introduction to systems thinking, with emphasis on using the systems perspective in understanding family issues and working with families in clinical practice. The approaches of leading family therapists are explored, including observation of their work on videotape and examining their understanding of family interaction patterns. Nonclinical students are encouraged to consider applications to organizations and larger systems.

PSY 536A Research and Professional Writing
3 Units
This course provides an orientation to research methodology for the clinician, focusing on developing competence for using and understanding professional literature throughout a clinical career. Each student evaluates clinical research studies reported in psychological journals; participates in the design of research on a subject of interest; and prepares a brief review of professional literature on a societally-focused topic in psychology, demonstrating mastery of American Psychological Association format.

PSY 539D Psychopharmacology
3 Units
This course provides an orientation to understanding current drug therapies for psychological problems. Topics include medications in general use, criteria for referring patients for psychopharmacological evaluation, cultural and interpersonal issues, and how and when medications can contribute to effective treatment. Frequently voiced philosophical, ethical, and legal concerns regarding biological factors and drug treatment are discussed, along with the risks and benefits of drug therapies.

PSY 540C Process of Interpersonal Psychotherapy II
2 Units
This course assists students in deepening their understanding of the process of interpersonal therapy and in developing skills of forming a therapeutic relationship, dealing with resistance, deepening clients' expressions of feeling, responding to transference and countertransference, and handling termination of the therapy relationship (This course, 509 or 535C is required.)

PSY 509 Brief Therapy
2 Units
This course articulates basic processes, principles, and techniques of brief therapy from cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused and narrative perspectives, with a focus on understanding the premises and usefulness of each approach and on developing skills through role-play and work with case material. (This course, 535C or 540C is required.)

PSY 535C Treatment of Families
2 Units
This course considers practical and theoretical issues in the treatment of families with an emphasis on family systems approaches. The instructor may focus on one or more family-systems theory, considering family dynamics, techniques with typical family problems, varieties of families, and development of the student's own competence as a therapist. (This course, 509 or 540C is required.)

PSY 541 Assessment and Treatment Planning
3 Units
This course provides critical examination of topics in psychopathology and abnormal psychology, including discussion of criteria for mental health and illness, philosophy and use of the DSM IV, and differential diagnosis of cases. Students consider assessment of clients' problems in cultural context, and are introduced to the process of preparing treatment plans

PSY 542 Psychological Testing
3 Units
This course introduces students to methods of psychological assessment in social, cultural and interpersonal contexts. A broad range of cognitive, personality, vocational and projective tests in use today are surveyed, considering uses, strengths, weaknesses and cultural biases. Students learn to make effective referrals for psychological evaluations, to evaluate assessment reports, and to work with clients in using test findings.

PSY 543C Child and Adolescent Development
3 Units
This course provides a survey of physical, cognitive, social, emotional and cultural factors in the development of the healthy person from birth to adolescence. Attention is given to selected contemporary issues in child and adolescent development, to theories of Freud, Erikson, Piaget and others, and to cultural and gender issues in development. Learning includes direct observation of children and adolescents.

PSY 544F Contemporary Issues of Aging
2 units
In this course issues for aging individuals in contemporary society are considered in biopsychosocial perspective. Topics include cultural differences, relationship issues, spiritual themes, physical challenges, caregiving and longterm care. community resources and family dynamics. Students are encouraged to consider their own issues and feelings in dealing with older people in therapy and/or community work.

PSY 545 Society and the Individual
3 Units
This first-quarter course provides an opportunity for students to explore the psychological effects (for self and others) of social dynamics including marginalization and privilege, investigating the impact of race, ethnicity, social class, gender, sexual orientation, and physical difference. Students complete a cultural autobiography and consider psychotherapy as a social institution as well as power and powerlessness in society. Awareness work includes attention to group process in the classroom. The intention is to provide a foundation for effective and sensitive clinical and community work with persons different from self.

PSY 545C Psychology in the Community
3 Units
This course introduces students to community issues for marriage and family therapists' work in the diverse contemporary urban environments of Southern California. Topics may include models for treatment within the broader contexts of extended family and community; engagement of the broader community in assessment, problem-solving and intervention with symptomatic community members; and issues for clinicians working in community agencies, as compared to private practice settings The class includes a thoughtful examination of therapists' relationships to institutional power realities in the community -- as participants in the system and/or as agents of change.

PSY 547 Human Sexuality
3 Units
Human sexual anatomy and response, sex roles, homosexual and heterosexual behavior, female and male sexual dysfunction and contemporary clinical treatment methods for sexual problems are studied in this class. There is consistent focus on students' own beliefs, attitudes and feelings, and on examination of sexual mores, ethical issues, and sociocultural perspectives

PSY 548 Professional Ethics and the Law
3 Units
This class provides an overview of legal and ethical issues associated with practice as a psychotherapist, counselor or psychological researcher, including laws, court decisions and regulations. Topics include confidentiality, child abuse reporting, record keeping, patients' rights, scope of practice, "duty to warn" and special ethical issues in treating children.

PSY 550C Chemical Dependency
3 Units
This course examines conditions in self and society associated with the use and abuse of addictive substances, particularly alcohol and drugs, and explores a variety of traditional and nontraditional treatment models. Further topics include medical aspects, evaluation, theories of etiology, legal issues, prevention, and follow-up for the abuser and family. Some attention will be given to family issues of substance abuse, and to addictive issues related to work, gambling, eating and sexuality.

PSY 551A Group Treatment Methods
3 Units
This course includes theory and experiential work on group psychotherapy, with particular emphasis on skills for leading different kinds of therapy groups. Participation as member, observer and/or co-leader in a classroom therapy group is included, with study of group formation, norms, leadership, boundary issues, and groups for different populations.

PSY 566 Couples Counseling
3 Units
This course presents a variety of approaches to theory and practice of psychotherapeutic work with married and unmarried couples, including family systems and other approaches and with attention to issues of sexual orientation, ethnicity and culture.

PSY 567A Treatment of Children and Adolescents
3 Units
This class surveys theory and practice of therapeutic work with children and adolescents, including diagnosis, treatment planning, work with young people of different ages and back-grounds, legal/ethical considerations, and treatment for a wide range of particular problems such as learning disabilities and adolescent substance abuse

PSY 572G Spousal Abuse and Domestic Violence
2 units
Essential issues of domestic violence are considered in this course, including dynamics of spousal, child and elder abuse, family issues and multigenerational patterns. Students' knowledge and confidence are strengthened through examination of the cycle of domestic violence. Also included are applications for gay and lesbian couples, and review of students' personal attitudes and experiences, as a contribution to future clinical competence.

PSY 620A,B Applied Psychotherapeutic Techniques of Marriage and Family Therapy
9 or more Units
Clinical training practicum in marriage and family therapy providing experience in counseling individuals, couples and/or families under professional supervision. The training takes place in an approved clinical training site in the community, and generally includes participation in staff meetings and training activities. (9 units required. Students begin clinical training in the third full-time quarter or later.)

PSY 623A,B... Personal Psychotherapy/Group Therapy/Family Therapy
0 Units
Experience as a client in individual, couples, family or group psychotherapy provided by a licensed therapist throughout the12-week quarter, at a minimum of one hour per week. Two or more quarters of therapy are required.

Additional courses required for students in the Child Studies Specialization (sometimes also open to others)

PSY 520A Developmental Psychopathology I: Diagnosis
3 Units
This class introduces students to clinical assessment of young people from infancy through adolescence, with emphasis on framing diagnostic questions founded in an understanding of developmental processes. This course also includes discussions of criteria for mental health and illness in childhood and adolescence. Demonstrations and exercises help the student understand how therapists handle assessment from a developmental perspective sensitive to issues of culture and the position of the child and adolescent in society

PSY 520B Developmental Psychopathology II: Intervention
3 Units
Building on developmentally and culturally sensitive diagnoses, this class explores a broad spectrum of treatment interventions for children and adolescents in society. Consideration is given to individual and family methods of psychological treatment as well as to community interventions and interventions in the school context

PSY 533B Brain and Behavior: The Child
3 Units
This course provides an orientation to genetic, environmental, and biological bases of child and adolescent disorders, with particular emphasis on understanding brain mechanisms that may underlie psychological problems. Emphasis is also placed on current approaches to drug therapies for children and adolescents, to demonstrate how and where medications can contribute to effective treatment. Frequently voiced philosophical, ethical, and legal concerns regarding biological factors and drug treatments for young people are discussed, along with the risks and benefits of drug therapies.

PSY 543H Cross-Cultural Infant Observation
2 Units
In this class, students learn about the socio-cultural matrix of infant development through sensitive, structured observation of a mother-infant pair over time, with ongoing class discussion of observations and of the process of observation. Cultural universals and cultural variability are considered, as the physical development of the infant, emotional and cognitive development, and the student's own experience are investigated

PSY 568A Child Advocacy and Social Policy
3 units
This course explores fundamental tenets of child advocacy and of social policies affecting children. As a professional discipline, child advocacy fosters children's access to resources, power and education within society. Scholarly studies will be examined on a broad range of societal issues related to the healthy development and education of children in society. Topics may include ethnic violence, drugs, poverty, the juvenile justice system, health and mental health care, and child abuse. The class is designed to assist students in building an ongoing professional commitment to advocating for the welfare and rights of children in society.

Additional courses required for students in the Applied Community Psychology Specialization (sometimes also open to others)

PSY 512B Field Study in Applied Community Psychology
1-2 units
This course provides Applied Community Psychology students with the opportunity to work directly with a community agency on a project involving program development, evaluation, consultation, collaboration, psychoeducational group and/or in-service training development. (Students enroll in Field Study after completing the Applied Community Psychology course, from the list below, relevant to the project they intend to do.)

PSY 545D Community Consultation and Collaboration
3 units
This course introduces students to the role of professional psychologists as consultants and collaborators with individuals, groups, organizations, and agencies providing services to a variety of communities and constituencies (social service agencies, nonprofit organizations, mental health service providers, schools, etc. The course will emphasize consultation skills with attention to all phases of the process: entry, assessment, diagnosis, development, intervention, and termination. The course also focuses on community-based consultation efforts, with particular attention to issues of diversity, community and school settings.

PSY 545E Program Development and Evaluation
3 units
The goal of this course is to introduce students to program development and evaluation as practiced in mental health and community service settings addressing social problems. Emphasis is on practical considerations of what can and cannot be accomplished in real-world community settings with respect to design and implementation of evaluations and the use of evaluation findings in program development. Topics include: performing a needs assessment, developing program goals and program objectives, identifying resources and funding sources, assigning leadership tasks, implementation, evaluation and revision.

PSY 545F Prevention and Promotion
3 units
The goal of this course is to introduce students to strategies, models, and methodologies used in the prevention of mental health and psychosocial problems and promotion of competence in individuals, families, and communities. The course examines how definition of problems guides the focus of prevention programming. Prevention strategies discussed include consultation, psychoeducational interventions, and empowerment. Attention is given to such issues as community violence, delinquency, adolescent pregnancy, substance abuse, and HIV/AIDS, with special attention to needs of historically underserved and oppressed populations. Topics include: defining social problems targeted for prevention; fundamental concepts and models of prevention; the social context of prevention; prevention strategies and exemplary programs across the lifespan; program evaluation; and empowerment, community mobilization, self efficacy, and social change

PSY 575E Psychoeducational Groups and In-Service Training Development
3 units
This course introduces students to fundamental elements of designing and implementing psychoeducational programs for the general public and allied professionals such as educators and social service agency personnel. With a hands-on approach, each student develops a psychoeducational program or in-service training on a topic of his or her choice. Topics include: the fundamentals of group training, audience assessment, how to develop topics, how to generate effective handouts and audiovisual aids, presentation skills, and evaluation and assessment.

Sample elective courses open to all M.A. Psychology students (changing every quarter)

PSY 501E Introduction to Clinical Processes
1 Unit
The therapist is a healing presence. He/she creates a feeling of safety and openness that allows healing to take place. Reading, discussions and exercises in this class will explore what the therapist brings to his/her work that fosters healing, growth and change, with focus on the therapist rather than the client. We will turn our attention to creating and maintaining a safe space and learning the basics of active, reflective, compassionate listening as the foundation for doing therapy.

PSY 519A Gay and Lesbian Identity Issues
2 Units
This class provides a setting in which students and the two instructors can explore together the thoughts and feelings that arise in response to historic, literary, autobiographical and psychological readings on the experience of being gay or lesbian. The course is open to anyone interested in gay and lesbian.

PSY 525D Cultural Perspectives Series: Treatment Issues for Asian American Clients
1 Unit
This one-day workshop provides a basic overview of mental health issues for Asian Americans. The focus will be on treatment issues with topics including value systems, worldviews, acculturation, the biculturation process, and culture-specific perspectives on psychopathology, coping, assessment and treatment.

PSY 525K Cultural Perspectives Series: Jewish Identity and the Psychology of Anti-Semitism
2 Units
In the multicultural discourse, the subject of Jewish culture and anti-Semitism is often overlooked or excluded. This course explores Jewish culture and the psychological affects of the current rise of anti-Semitism. Particular attention is given to the relationship of Jewish identity to the Holocaust, contemporary American culture, feminism, politics, and sexual orientation. Students examine their own subjective feelings and attitudes about Jewish culture as well as collective anti-Semitic values seen in the arts and media.

PSY 533 Cognitive/Behavioral Theory and Therapy
2 Units
This course surveys contemporary cognitive and behavioral approaches to psychotherapy. In addition to underlying theoretical principles, emphasis is given to applications, e.g. for anxiety disorders and depression.

PSY 543G ADHD and Learning Disabilities: Effects on Individuals and Families
1 Unit
This workshop gives students an overview of symptoms, assessment and diagnosis of ADHD and other Learning Disabilities, as well as effects on the lives of individuals with these disorders and their families. Students learn basic interventions for these disorders. as well as laws related to ADHD and Learning Disabilities in education and the workplace.

PSY 553 Crisis Intervention
2 Units
This course examines psychotherapeutic techniques utilized in crisis intervention and their application to situations encountered in clinical practice including suicide, family and interpersonal violence, survival of disasters and catastrophes, diagnosis of HIV and AIDS, and developmental crises of adult life. Students’ knowledge and confidence in dealing with crises is strengthened through the teaching of specific clinical models of crisis intervention, and through exploration of their own experiences and attitudes toward crises.

PSY 553E Gangs and Gang Recovery
1 Unit
Participants in this workshop will develop an understanding of the dynamics and culture of gang life and will explore therapeutic issues that may be encountered in working with gangs, with gang members, and/or with at risk youth. The workshop will also be beneficial to those who do not intend to work directly with this population, but who are interested in developing a deeper understanding of issues of race, culture, and diversity as they are illuminated by looking at this growing culture in our larger society.

PSY 554B Clinical Applications of the Twelve Steps
1 Unit
This workshop provides an in-depth analysis of the Twelve Steps as originated by Alcoholics Anonymous, leading to a theory integrating psychotherapy with use of the Steps. Students gain a working knowledge of the Steps and how their process parallels a variety of psychotherapeutic modalities including existential, cognitive and psychodynamic.

PSY 558B Spiritual Psychologies and Psychotherapy
2 Units
Both Buddhist and Sufi spiritual traditions offer paths for personal transformation. This class offers an opportunity to explore how these spiritual understandings of the person and the change process can come together with psychological work. A significant goal of this course is to support each student on his or her personal path of the integration of psychology and spirituality. The class should be of interest to long-term meditators as well as interested students without prior experience in spiritual practice.

PSY 563C Narratives of Women's Lives
2 Units
Through the lens of Narrative Re-authoring therapy, students explore the multi-storied lives of women, experimenting with ways to help clients retrieve their lives from problem-saturated narratives, including stories of abuse and eating disorders, among others. In order to help prospective clients to expand their choices, students gain practice in bringing forth alternative, liberating narratives of clients' lives.

PSY 565 Existential Theory and Therapy
2 Units
This class provides an introduction to the theory and practice of existential psychotherapy. Issues of responsibility, death, isolation, freedom and meaninglessness are addressed, and strategies for psychotherapy with adults and couples are presented.

PSY 568G Clinical Intervention with Adolescents in Groups
2 Units
Group psychotherapy for adolescents is a specific clinical modality in which the adolescent is helped to define his/her identity--the major task of adolescent development. Topics of the course include indications and contraindications for adolescent groups, issues of composition, selection and types of groups; group therapy as a prime modality or as adjunct to individual or family treatment. Issues of confidentiality, group rules and structure are reviewed. Special attention is given to group leadership, transference and countertransference.

PSY 581F Creative Arts Therapy with Children
2 Units
This course is designed to give students an introduction to the use of artistic modalities in child therapy in a variety of settings. The use of movement, music, drama, play, graphic arts and storytelling in therapy with children is explored through both theoretical and experiential learning.

PSY 593 Gay and Lesbian Affirmative Counseling
1 Unit
This workshop explores critical psychosocial issues in the development and maintenance of a healthy gay or lesbian identity. Emphasis is placed on the role of the counselor in assisting clients to process emotional, sexual and spiritual issues related to being gay or lesbian in today's society The workshop examines gay and lesbian youth, elders and people of color. Eroticizing safer-sex, lesbian health issues, and sex therapy with same-sex couples are also considered.

PSY 594E Psychology of Consciousness: Buddhism and Western Psychotherapy
3 units
This course explores the philosophical, psychological and clinical implications of Buddhism as it interfaces with Western psychotherapy and the Western worldview. States of consciousness, theories of the self, contrasting paradigms, birth and death, emotions and awareness are explored. The common boundary and areas of potential conflict and examined. Meditation theory and practice are included.

PSY 596A,B. Independent Study (Individually Titled)
1-5 Units
Independent study on topics of choice, directed and evaluated by a faculty member or approved evaluator. The learning activity may be designed to incorporate workshops, seminars or undergraduate classes (at Antioch or elsewhere), with appropriate additional graduate-level reading and writing.

PSY 599 Master’s Document
4-12 Units
Independent work on a Master's Thesis, Master's Project or Practicum, under the direction of a faculty member. Students may elect 4-12 units. Required for students in MPIC; may be elected by others. Students designing MPIC programs tied in with the MA Program in Organizational Management may fulfill this requirement with the MAOM Field Consultation Project.