Individual Counseling: Practice I (Lab I) for MHW Counselors - 1

New York University

The Steinhart School of Culture, Education, and Human
Development Department of Applied Psychology
Master of Arts Program in Mental Health and Wellness

APSY-GE 2658
Individual Counseling: Practice (Lab I) for Counselors -
ONLINE

Course Description
This is an experiential course where students learn essential interviewing and counseling skills and
then practice those skills in recorded counseling dyads in which they alternatively enact the roles of
counselor and client. The emphasis in Lab 1 is on what occurs during a brief counseling session.
Students will learn basic communication skills, heighten self- and interpersonal awareness, and
become more mindful of how the counseling process develops over time. Students will also explore
the ways that individual differences may manifest themselves in communication and connection.

Outcome Objectives
By the end of the semester the student will demonstrate the ability to do the following:
• Build rapport and develop a trusting therapeutic alliance with clients through the
effective use of the four basic counseling response types reviewed and practiced:
o Exploratory response
o Listening response
o Affect recognition response
o Metacommunication response
• Maintain client confidentiality and adhere to ethical principles of counseling
• Respond appropriately to the content and affect of material presented by the client
through the use of verbal and nonverbal basic counseling skills
• Exhibit appropriate counselor/client boundaries
• Identify and appropriately address issues of diversity in the counseling relationship
• Develop preliminary knowledge and skills of mental health and wellness counseling

Course Objectives
This course is intended to teach:
• Basic counseling skills practiced in initial counseling sessions with classmates
• Skills to develop an empathic and professional counseling relationship
• Positive, creative, and solution-focused techniques to assist students in brief
approaches to problem solving
• Appropriate responses to matters of diversity and individual difference across several domains
• Introductory knowledge and skills to lead psychoeducational and intervention
groups in community agencies and other mental health and wellness settings
 Individual Counseling: Practice I (Lab I) for MHW Counselors -2

Course Expectations
The majority of the students’ time will be spent learning how and then conducting counseling-
client dyads, where students will alternately enact the roles of counselor and client in individual
and group simulations. These interactions will be recorded for class review and discussion. Full
participation in all activities, as demonstrated by weekly attendance and active involvement in
the simulations with an ability to self-examine skills as a counselor and receive and give
appropriate feedback is necessary.

It is important to note that in your role as client you are asked to share only that which you are
comfortable with, and as a counselor you are expected to maintain the confidentiality of your
peers. Full engagement in the course will require that you enlist not only your intellectual
resources but also your emotional resources. As such, you will be asked, on occasion, to step
outside of your comfort zone. In engaging in these activities or in reactions to materials and
discussions, you may experience various levels of discomfort. That being said, professional
behavior is expected in and out of the classroom. You are asked to treat one another with respect,
dignity, and support even in the face of disagreement. You are also asked to treat yourself with
care, and seek professional services for additional support when necessary. The goal is to create
a safe space conducive to learning.

Course Requirements

Standards: As a student at NYU, the highest professional standards are expected. All of your
work must reflect academic integrity and honesty.

Please review carefully the Individual Counseling: Practice I (Lab 1) Rubric in the Tool Box
section of the Course portal and attached below.

• Show proficiency with the four basic counseling skills / responses:

1. Exploratory; 2. Listening; 3. Affect recognition; 4. Meta-communication
• Ability to effectively initiate a professional counseling relationship with clients
• Knowledge and preliminary skills concerning positive, creative, and solution-focused
approaches to helping clients
• Sufficient personal maturity in interpersonal relationships, characterized by sufficient self-
awareness, accompanied by appropriate and flexible responses and boundaries
• Weekly attendance and punctuality with NO absences during the semester.
(Students will be expected to connect online in the virtual classroom. If they cannot
connect, they should connect using the conference call number and passcode and then later
review the recorded session.)
• Completion of ALL asynchronous materials, including all the responses during the
assigned week
• Completion of all weekly journal, marker recording, marker recording reflection,
and other assignments
• Active participation and involvement in class discussions
 Individual Counseling: Practice I (Lab I) for MHW Counselors - 3

Course Requirements (cont’d)

• Active participation in simulated counselor/client interactions and group activities
• Ability to self-examine skills as a counselor, incorporate suggestions for improvement,
and give appropriate feedback to others
• Maintain professional online behavior and persona
• Conduct class and counseling dyad sessions using an ethernet cord connection to
mitigate risk of a poor connection
• If you step away for a moment, private message the instructor
• Minimize distractions during class time
▪ Inform family members that you are in class time and not to be disturbed
▪ Minimize pet distractions (e.g., barking)
▪ Mute phone at times when you are not talking
• Dress, groom, and behavior as if you were coming to an in-person class
▪ Conducting a session while in bed is inappropriate
▪ Manage the on-camera view to look professional

ASSIGNMENTS
1. Journals
Students are required to write and submit a one-page reflective journal entry each week via the
website to the instructor (12-point font, double-spaced). Self-awareness is a critical skill that
requires counselors to constantly evaluate the extent to which their own issues and history may
bias or influence the counseling relationship. The journal is a way to communicate thoughts,
feelings, and concerns that occurred with the student while engaging in the asynchronous
content, readings, live session, and/or counseling dyads (therapist and/or client role).

The journal should be self-reflective, vulnerable, include thoughts and feelings, and explore how
your personal history and culture may have influenced your thoughts and feelings in the
moment. The journal is not a critique of class nor is it a place to summarize what you learned
from the live session or the asynchronous content. The journal is about self-reflection and taking
the time to evaluate how your biases may either enhance empathy or cloud your understanding.
The journal must be submitted no later than 48 hours before the start of live class. Please
review your professor’s journal feedback and incorporate the feedback into your work for the
next class. You can find further information about the content of your journal in the Journal
Entry Information under the Course Overview tab in the portal.

Journal Example:
Do: In today’s live session, I found myself feeling frustrated when we went over the recordings
because I felt like I should have known how to do this. Additionally, I was feeling a little
vulnerable after sharing something personal while I was in the client role. I am worried about
what others will think.

Don’t: In today’s live session, I really learned a lot and think that using listening responses will
improve the way I work with clients. I think the instructor did a great job of explaining the
topics and the asynchronous materials were interesting.
 Individual Counseling: Practice I (Lab I) for MHW Counselors -4

2. Cultural Self-Assessment Exercise:

Students will complete the Cultural Self-Assessment Exercise in lieu of the weekly journal in Week 5.
Using the Hays (2001) ADDRESSING framework and related lecture, please reflect on your identity
and intersections within your identities. Using the Cultural Self-Assessment table, please reflect on the
contexts in which your identity/intersections of your identities are ones in which you experience
privilege and/or marginalization.
Reflect on how you anticipate the combination of those identities will surface within the counseling
relationship(s). In order to prepare for class discussion and your Week 5 marker recording, please
reflect on how your identities might impact working with your clients. The cultural self-assessment is
due in Week 5 and must be submitted no later than 48 hours before the start of class.

3. Marker Recording:
The cornerstone of Individual Counseling: Practice I (Lab I) for Counselors is to provide new
counselors the opportunity to experience the role(s) of both client and counselors. These practice
opportunities come in the form of marker recordings. Marker recordings are time-limited
interactions where each student will take on the role of a client or counselor with another student.
Time for these recordings will increase from week to week and may be viewed in class and by the
department to assess your progress over the course of the term.

Your first marker recording is due in Week 2. There is no marker recording in Week 1. You
will receive more instructions about your first marker recording from your professors during
your Week 1 Live session. Please refer to the Student Self-Recording Directions in the
Toolbox section of your course portal to learn more about how to create a marker recording
session with your client and how to upload a link of your marker recording. If you need further
instructions, the 2U student support line (1-855-698- 6221) will be available to help you create
your first recording. It is recommended that you conduct your marker recordings at least 72
hours prior to the live class. This will give you time to review your recording, reflect on
incidents that occurred during the session, and to write about your sensations, thoughts, and
dynamics in the Marker Recording Reflection Document.

Marker Recording Gallery View Link:

After conducting your meeting with your client in your counselor role for your marker
recording, you will open the Zoom Recordings page: https://zoom.us/recording to locate and
upload the Gallery View link to your instructor. Please upload the Gallery View link for the
recording in the section provided in the Marker Recording Reflection document. Additionally,
you may upload the Gallery View link for the recording in the Response section of the portal for
the appropriate week of your Marker Recording and Feedback.

NOTE: All Marker Recordings and Marker Recording Reflection Documents must be
submitted at least 48 hours prior to the live class so that your instructor can review your
recording, review your reflections, and provide valuable written feedback.
 Individual Counseling: Practice I (Lab I) for MHW Counselors - 5

4. Marker Recording Reflection with Zoom Gallery View Link Document:

After meeting with your client in your counselor role for your marker recording, you will
review your marker recording After reviewing your marker recording, please complete the
Marker Recording Reflection Document (a copy of the document is included below and will
be available from your instructor).
• Please complete the first two columns of the document by writing down the start times
and stoppoints of ONE (1) area in your recording where you want feedback (e.g., you didn’t
know what to say; incident brought up difficult feelings).
• For this incident for which you would like feedback, please complete the third column
of the document by stating what you were thinking, feeling, noticing and hypothesizing about
the client. For example, what thoughts went through your mind, or where did your thoughts
wander off to, when you were meeting with your client? How were you feeling about yourself
in the counselor role? What pleasant and unpleasant feelings did you experience with your
client? What sensations did you notice in your body? What did you notice about your client?
What hypotheses or ideas are coming to your mind about the problem your client presented?
Make sure that there is enough background information in the start point to help understand
your comments or questions.
• In the fourth column of the document, you must provide an alternate response to the one
you gave your client. Please provide an exploratory, listening, affect recognition, or
metacommunication response that reflects the thoughts, feelings, hypotheses, or desires you
mentioned in the second column.
• Upon completion of all the columns in your marker recording reflection document, please
upload and submit your completed Marker Recording Reflection Document with Zoom
Gallery View link in the portal for the appropriate week for this assignment.

NOTE: All Marker Recordings and Marker Recording Reflection Documents must be submitted
at least 48 hours prior to the live class so that your instructor can review your recording, review
your reflections, and provide valuable written feedback.

5. Self-Evaluations:
Mid-Term and Final Self Evaluations: Students are required to reflect on their
performance throughout the semester and self-examine their skills and performance as a
counselor in training. They will report areas of strength as well as areas for improvement.
Students will provide an assessment of their performance with others in the class, with
their clients, and with their self. The mid-term and final evaluations must be submitted
no later than 48 hours before the start of your live session.

Policy on Student Self-Disclosure by the MA Programs in Counseling

A major goal of our graduates is to demonstrate a core professional identity as counselors or as
counseling psychologists in science, practice, teaching, supervision, and other roles. Core
values of counseling and counseling psychology include understanding contextual and cultural
influences; holding a strength-based, social justice approach; understanding self and others as
being shaped by cultural diversity; and demonstrating the capacity to engage in reflective
practice. We believe that self-awareness of attitudes, values, and beliefs toward diverse others
and the ability to continually reflect on one's own personal and interpersonal dynamics are
critical to the development of effective professional skills and identity.

Toward this aim, students will be asked to engage in a process of personal exploration with their
supervisors and trainers in their clinical courses, practicum, externship, and/or internship
settings. Some
 Individual Counseling: Practice I (Lab I) for MHW Counselors -6

courses also require completing assignments that involve self-disclosure and self-reflection
about personal history and cultural identities. Although content of self-disclosure will not be
used as a basis for grading, students may be evaluated on their capacity to engage in self-
reflective processes that are critical to professional development and practice. Please also note
that should a student disclose information indicating impairment or the potential for harm to
clients, the faculty may take appropriate action in accordance with the ACA Code of Ethics
(2005) Section F.7.b and/or APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct
(2002) Standard 7.04.

Required Texts
Cozolino, L. (2004). The making of a therapist: A practical guide for the inner journey. New
York, NY: W. W. Norton & Co. ISBN 9780-393-70424-2
Evans, D., Hearn, M., Uhlemann, M. & Ivey, A. (2017). Essential Interviewing: A programmed
approach to effective communication (9th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Cengage. ISBN-13:
9781305271500
Sue, D. W. (2010). Microaggressions in everyday life: Race, gender, and sexual orientation.
Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. ISBN: 978-0-470-49140-9

Required Articles
Required articles can be found through the NYU Library website (http://library.nyu.edu). Your
instructor will make these required articles available to you by uploading them under the Files
tab in the 2U portal.

Abernethy, A. (1998). Working with Racial Themes in Group Psychotherapy. Group, 22(1), 1-13.
Cashwell, C. (2001). IPR: Recalling thoughts and feelings in supervision. Readings for Child and
Youth Care Workers, 33.
Constantine, M. G. (2007). Racial microaggressions against African American clients in cross-
racial counseling relationships. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 54(2), 1–16.
da Silva, A. N., Ferreira, J. F., Conceição, N., Vaz Velho, C., & Vasco, A. B. (2022). Termination in
psychotherapy: Contributions of an integrative metamodel. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration,
32(2), 175–189. https://doi.org/10.1037/int0000235
Hays, P. (2001). Looking into the clinician’s mirror: Cultural self-assessment. In P. Hays (Ed.),
Addressing cultural complexities in practice: A framework for clinicians and counselors
(pp. 35–52). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Ivey, A., & Zalaquett, C. (2011). Neuroscience and counseling: Central issue for social justice leaders.
Journal for Social Action in Counseling and Psychology, 3(1), 103–116.
Jordan, J., & Hartling, L. (2002). New developments in relational-cultural theory. In M. Ballou &
L. S. Brown (Eds.), Rethinking mental health and disorder: Feminist perspectives. New
York, NY: Guilford Press.
Katz, S., Serfaty, S., Goldblatt, H., Hasson-Ohayon, I., & Roe, D. (2022). Fifty ways to leave your
treatment: First-person accounts of factors that helped actualize the choice to disengage from mental
health services. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 45(1), 34–43.
https://doi.org/10.1037/prj0000489
Leigh, D. A. (1998). Referral and termination issues for counselors. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
Publications Limited. (Chapter 7: Good Endings)
Available through e-books Bobst Library
Ling, L. S., & Stathopoulou, C. H. (2021). An exploration of ending psychotherapy: The experiences of
volunteer counsellors. Counselling & Psychotherapy Research, 21(3), 729–
738. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12379
Pipes, R. B., & Davenport, D. S. (1999). Mistakes therapists make: In Introduction to
psychotherapy: Common clinical wisdom (2nd ed.) (pp. 232-255) Englewood Cliffs, NJ:
 Individual Counseling: Practice I (Lab I) for MHW Counselors - 7

Prentice Hall.
Sue, D., Capodilupo, C. M., Torino, G. C., Bucceri, J. M., Holder, A. M., Nadal, K. L., & Esquilin,
M. (2007). Racial microaggressions in everyday life: Implications for clinical practice.
American Psychologist, 62(4), 271–286.
White, K. P. (2002). Surviving Hating and Being Hated, Contemporary Psychoanalysis,
38:3, 401- 422, DOI: 10.1080/00107530.2002.10747173

Class Format

The class format will include web-based (asynchronous) content, short, live, online lecture
(synchronous) content, experiential activities, group discussions, and student assignments.
Students must participate in all aspects of the course in order to obtain full credit.

Note: All web-based asynchronous content must be viewed prior to the live online lecture. All
asynchronous material must be completed weekly in its entirety prior to the start of each weekly
live session.

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS AND REQUIRED READINGS

Week Topic and

Assignments
Week 1 Introduction to Counseling Concepts
Required Readings: Cozolino (2004) Chapters 1 and 2; Evans (2011) Chapters 1–4
Assignments:
1. Review syllabus;
2. Review instructions for recording Original Marker Recording

Week 2 Basic Counseling Skills (Exploratory, Listening, and Affect Recognition

Responses) Required Readings: Cozolino (2004) Chap. 3 & 4; Evans (2011)
Chap. 5, 6, & 10 Assignments:
1. Write reflective journal response
2. Create 7-minute marker recording
3. Review 7-minute marker recording
4. Complete marker recording reflection document and include Gallery view recording
link
Week 3 Basic Counseling Skills (Metacommunication, IPR, Mutual Recall)
Required Readings: Evans (2011) Chapters 8, 12, and 14; Pipes & Davenport (1999);
Cashwell (2001)
Assignments:
1. Write reflective journal response
2. Create 7-minute recording
3. Review 7-minute recording
4. Complete marker recording reflection document and include Gallery view recording
link
 Individual Counseling: Practice I (Lab I) for MHW Counselors -8

Week 4 Counseling Stages and Risk Assessment Required

Readings:
Cozolino (2004). Chapter 5
Assignments:
1. Write reflective journal response
2. Create 10-minute recording
3. Review 10-minute recording
4. Complete marker recording reflection document and include Gallery view
recording link

Week 5 Racism, Privilege, and Microaggressions

*Required Readings:
Constantine, M. G. (2007). Racial microaggressions against African American clients
in cross- racial counseling relationships. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 54(2),
1–16.
Hays, P. (2001). Looking into the clinician’s mirror: Cultural self-assessment. In
P. Hays (Ed.), Addressing cultural complexities in practice: A framework for
clinicians and counselors (pp. 35–52). Washington, DC: American
Psychological Association.
White, K. P. (2002) Surviving Hating and Being Hated, Contemporary
Psychoanalysis, 38:3, 401-422, DOI:
10.1080/00107530.2002.10747173
Sue, D. W. (2007). Racial microaggressions in everyday life: Implications for
clinical practice. American Psychologist, 62(4), 271–286.
*Note: You can find this reading uploaded under the Files tab on the 2U platform or
through the NYU Library website.
Sue, D. W. (2010). Microaggressions in everyday life: Race, gender, and sexual
orientation.
Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Chapters 1–3 and 12.

Assignments:
1. Complete Cultural Self-Assessment form under the Assignment tab online. No
Journal Assignment.
2. Create 10-minute recording. Marker Recording content: Address cultural
differences/privilege in the counselor/client dyad; explore how racial, class,
and / or cultural identities surfaced within the counseling relationship(s) and/or
did not surface.
3. Review 10-minute recording
4. Complete marker recording reflection document and include Gallery view
recording link
Week 6 Processing/Reviewing Cultural Self-Assessment
*Continue discussion of Week 5 Required Readings
Assignments:
1. Be prepared to discuss cultural identities and how they can impact the counseling
relationship
2. Prepare of mid-term evaluations
Week 7 Midterm Evaluation
Required Readings: None; No Journal
Assignment.Assignments:
1. Complete Mid-term self-evaluation: Fill out all information on page 1;
Complete Sections for Performance Measures; Strengths; Areas for
 Individual Counseling: Practice I (Lab I) for MHW Counselors - 9

Further Professional Development.

2. Create 15-minute recording
3. Review 15-minute recording
4. Complete marker recording reflection document and include Gallery view
recording link
Week 8 Neuroscience and Social Justice
Required Readings: Cozolino (2004) Chapters 6–8; Ivey and Zalaquett (2011)
Assignments:
1. Write reflective journal response
2. Create 15-minute recording
3. Review 15-minute recording
Complete marker recording reflection document and include Gallery view recording
link
Week 9 Relational, Cultural, and Feminist Theory
*Required Readings:
Jordan and
Hartling(2002);
Abernethy, A. (1998). Working with Racial Themes in Group Psychotherapy. Group,
22(1), 1-13.
*Note: You can find this reading uploaded under the Files tab on the 2U platform or
through the NYU Library website.
Assignments:
1. Write reflective journal response
2. Create 20-minute recording
3. Review 20-minute recording
Complete marker recording reflection document and include Gallery view recording
link

Week 10 Counselor Self-Awareness

Required Readings: Cozolino (2004) Chapters 7, 9–11
Assignments:
1. Write reflective journal response
2. Create 20-minute recording
3. Review 20-minute recording
4. Complete marker recording reflection document and include Gallery view
recording link
Week 11 Counselor Self-Care
Required Readings: Cozolino (2004) Chapters 12–14
Assignments:
1. Write reflective journal response
2. Create 20-minute recording; Recording content: Discuss termination
in the counselor/client dyad (maintain same counselor/client dyad for Week
11)
3. Review 20-minute recording
4. Complete marker recording reflection document and include Gallery view
recording link
Week 12 Termination Process
Recording content (from week 11): Discuss termination in the
counselor/client dyad (maintain same counselor/client dyad for Week 11)
 Individual Counseling: Practice I (Lab I) for MHW Counselors - 10

*Required Readings:
da Silva, A. N., Ferreira, J. F., Conceição, N., Vaz Velho, C., & Vasco, A. B. (2022).
Termination in psychotherapy: Contributions of an integrative metamodel.
Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 32(2), 175–189.
https://doi.org/10.1037/int0000235

Katz, S., Serfaty, S., Goldblatt, H., Hasson-Ohayon, I., & Roe, D. (2022). Fifty ways to
leave your treatment: First-person accounts of factors that helped actualize the
choice to disengage from mental health services. Psychiatric Rehabilitation
Journal, 45(1), 34–43. https://doi.org/10.1037/prj0000489

Leigh, D. A. (1998). Referral and termination issues for counselors. Thousand Oaks,
CA: Sage Publications Limited. (Chapter 7: Good Endings)
Available through e-books Bobst Library
An older publication but highlights process of a planned termination process as
distinguished from when a client may decide not to return to therapy.

Ling, L. S., & Stathopoulou, C. H. (2021). An exploration of ending psychotherapy:

The experiences of volunteer counsellors. Counselling & Psychotherapy
Research, 21(3), 729–738. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12379

Week 13 Preparation for Final Evaluation

Assignments:
1. Be prepared to discuss reflections on self-evaluation
2. Note areas of growth, strengths, limitations, etc.
Week 14 Final Evaluation
Required Readings: None; No Journal
Assignment.Assignments:
1. Complete Final self-evaluation: Fill out all information on page 1; Complete
Sections for Performance Measures; Strengths; Areas for Further Professional
Development.
2. Create 20-minute recording; Recording content: Discuss termination
in the counselor/client dyad (maintain same counselor/client dyad from
Week 10)
3. Review 20-minute recording
4. Complete marker recording reflection document and include Gallery view
recording link
 Individual Counseling: Practice I (Lab I) for MHW Counselors - 11

Individual Counseling: Practice I (Lab 1) Rubric

Grading Criteria

Requirements Percentage
1. Attendance/Participation 10
2. Journals/Cultural Assessment/Midterm and Final 30
Evaluations (3 points each)
3. Counseling Skills 60
(Marker Recordings; Marker Reflection
Documents)

Class participation & Attendance Rubric

Value Indicators
Excellent (10) ● Participated actively in class sessions without waiting to be called on; came to class on
time; was actively
engaged in small group and whole class activities and discussions.
● Asked insightful and reflective questions indicating the ability to apply course
content; asked questions pertaining to assigned readings and lab practice reflecting an
interest in one’s discipline, personal and professional growth; & offered constructive
feedback, helpful analysis and support to peers.
● Displayed professional and ethical behavior in the class, listened attentively and
respectfully. Responded thoughtfully and appropriately to the ideas of peers and the
instructor.
● Demonstrated an openness to incorporating feedback and constructive feedback from
the instructor and peers.
Good (7-9) ● Participated in most of the class sessions; came to class on time; was not distracted; & was
often actively
engaged in small group and whole class activities and discussions.
● Often asked insightful and reflective questions indicating an ability to apply course
content; often asked questions pertaining to assigned readings and lab practice reflecting
an interest in one’s discipline, personal and professional growth; often offered constructive
feedback to peers.
● Displayed professional and ethical behavior in the class, always paid attention, and
listened to peers and the instructor with respect.
● Often demonstrated an openness to incorporating feedback and constructive criticism
from the instructor and peers.
Marginal (5-6) ● Participated in some of the class sessions, activities and discussions. Came to class late
over half of class
sessions.
● Demonstrated little or no enthusiasm for one’s discipline or professional growth.
● Occasionally displayed professional behavior in the class, paid little attention to peers
and the instructor’s ideas and views.
● Inconsistently demonstrated an openness to incorporating feedback and constructive
criticism from the instructor and peers.
 Individual Counseling: Practice I (Lab I) for MHW Counselors - 12

Poor (0-4) ● Participated in very few of the class sessions, often came to class late, and/or was inactive
or distracted
during group and whole class activities and discussions.
● Rarely or never asked insightful and reflective questions indicating an ability to apply
course content. Rarely asked questions pertaining to assigned readings as a way of
reflecting an interest in one’s discipline, personal and professional growth.
● Did not display professional and ethical behavior in the class and/or did not pay
attention to the ideas of peers and the instructor of the class.
● Did not demonstrate an openness to incorporating feedback and constructive criticism
from the instructor and peers.
 Individual Counseling: Practice I (Lab I) for MHW Counselors - 13

Journal Rubric

Value Indicators
Excellent/Great • Journal was turned in on time and demonstrates a critical engagement with the
(3) materials covered in the readings, in-class sessions and in discussion of your role as a
counselor (and/or client, where applicable). Self-reflection is evident, as is a
willingness to apply new understandings to in-class and future counseling practice.
Good/Acceptable • Journal was either not turned in on time or lacked one or more critical elements (e.g.,
(1-2) did notevidence critical engagement with the materials covered in the readings, in-
class sessions and in discussion of your role as counselor and/or client where
applicable).
Unacceptable (0) • Journal was not submitted or was submitted but was not consistent with graduate level
expectations with respect to writing or self-reflection.

Counseling Skills Rubric

Assessment across clinical
courses:
• Individual skills in Counseling Lab I will include assessment of counseling skills in dyads.
• The assessment of counseling skills in Practicum and internship will be based on formal and informal
case presentations, evaluations and communications from field supervisors and written work such as
case reports. As such various sources of data will be considered collectively in determining the degree
to which competence has been developing incounseling.

Value Indicators
Excellent/Great With Clients
(58-60) Consistently demonstrated a highly developed ability to:
o Generate effective exploratory responses/open communication.
o Generate effective listening responses/attending behaviors.
o Effectively follow, understand, and explore clients’ issues and problems/content.
o Effectively follow, understand and explore clients’ emotions/affect.
o Demonstrate empathy, both verbally and non-verbally.
o Understands and is able to use metacommunication/reflection on content
(paraphrasing)/summarizing.
o Begin to hypothesize about clients’ issues in order to generate appropriate
metacommunication/reflection on content (paraphrasing)/summarizing and
work with clients effectively over an extended amount of time.
o Identify, process, and appropriately respond to issues of diversity and individual
differences with clients.
With Self
Consistently demonstrated a highly developed ability to:
o Effectively self-examine one’s own counseling skills andbehaviors.
o Demonstrate introspection during the recall/feedback process.
o Separate own personal issues from those of the clients.
o Exhibit counseling interactions characterized by flexible responses and
adherence to ethical boundaries.
o Demonstrate appropriate levels of personal development and interpersonal
competence

● Overall
o Can conduct an effective empathic, and therapeutic counselingsession.
o Demonstrates a readiness for internship placement and continued practice in the field.
 Individual Counseling: Practice I (Lab I) for MHW Counselors - 14

Good (52-57) With Clients

Consistently demonstrated a well- developed ability to:
o Generate effective exploratory responses/open communication.
o Generate effective listening responses/attending behaviors.
o Effectively follow, understand, and explore clients’ issues and problems/content.
o Effectively follow, understand and explore clients’ emotions/affect.
o Demonstrate empathy, both verbally and non-verbally.
o Understands and is able to use metacommunication/reflection on content
(paraphrasing)/summarizing.
o Begin to hypothesize about clients’ issues in order to generate appropriate
metacommunication/ reflection on content (paraphrasing)/summarizing and work
with clients effectively over an extended amount of time.
o Identify, process, and appropriately respond to issues of diversity and individual
differences with clients.
With Self
Consistently demonstrated a well-developed ability to:
o Effectively self-examine one’s own counseling skills and behaviors.
o Demonstrate introspection during the recall/feedback process.
o Separate own personal issues from those of the clients.
o Exhibit counseling interactions characterized by flexible responses and
adherence to ethical boundaries.
o Demonstrate appropriate levels of personal development and interpersonal
competence.
● Overall
o Can conduct an effective, empathic, and therapeutic counseling session.
o Demonstrates a readiness for internship placement and continued practice in the field.
Marginal (45- With Clients
51) Appears to be approaching competence in the ability to:
o Generate effective exploratory responses/open communication.
o Generate effective listening responses/attending behaviors.
o Effectively follow, understand, and explore clients’ issues and problems/content.
o Effectively follow, understand and explore clients’ emotions/affect.
o Demonstrate empathy, both verbally and non-verbally.
o Understands and is able to use metacommunication/reflection on content
(paraphrasing)/ summarizing.
o Begin to hypothesize about clients’ issues in order to generate appropriate
metacommunication/ reflection on content (paraphrasing)/summarizing and work
with clients effectively over an extended amount of time.
o Identify, process, and appropriately respond to issues of diversity and individual
differences with clients.
With Self
Appears to be approaching competence in the ability to:
o Generate effective exploratory responses/open communication.
o Effectively self-examine one’s own counseling skills andbehaviors.
o Demonstrate introspection during the recall/feedback process.
o Separate own personal issues from those of theclients.
o Exhibit counseling interactions characterized by flexible responses and
adherence to ethical boundaries.
o Demonstrate appropriate levels of personal development and interpersonal
competence.
 Individual Counseling: Practice I (Lab I) for MHW Counselors - 15

Marginal (45- ● Overall

51) (cont’d) o Cannot consistently conduct an effective, empathic, and therapeutic
counselingsession.
o Does not demonstrate a readiness for field placement or continued practice in
the field without remediation.
Poor (40-45) With Clients
Consistently demonstrated a poor ability to:
o Generate effective exploratory responses/open communication.
o Generate effective listening responses/attending behaviors.
o Effectively follow, understand, and explore clients’ issues and problems/content.
o Effectively follow, understand and explore clients’ emotions/affect.
o Demonstrate empathy, both verbally and non-verbally.
o Understands and is able to use
metacommunication/reflection on content
(paraphrasing)/summarizing.
o Begin to hypothesize about clients’ issues in order to generate appropriate
metacommunication/ reflection on content(paraphrasing)/summarizing.
o Identify, process, and appropriately respond to issues of diversity and individual
differences with clients.
With Self
Consistently demonstrated a poor ability to:
o Effectively self-examine one’s own counseling skills andbehaviors.
o Demonstrate introspection during the recall/feedback process.
o Separate own personal issues from those of the clients.
o Exhibit counseling interactions characterized by flexible responses and
adherence to ethical boundaries.
o Demonstrate appropriate levels of personal development and interpersonal
competence.
● Overall
o Cannot conduct an effective, empathic, and therapeutic counselingsession.
o Is not ready for internship placement or practice in the field.
Unacceptable With Clients
(0-39) Presents insufficient ability to:
o Generate effective exploratory responses/open communication.
o Generate effective listening responses/attending behaviors.
o Effectively follow, understand, and explore clients’ issues and problems/content.
o Effectively follow, understand and explore clients’ emotions/affect.
o Demonstrate empathy, both verbally and non-verbally.
o Understand and be able to use metacommunication/
reflection on content (paraphrasing)/summarizing.
o Begin to hypothesize about clients’ issues in order to generate appropriate
metacommunication/ reflection on content(paraphrasing)/summarizing.
o Identify, process, and appropriately respond to issues of diversity and individual
differences with clients.
 Individual Counseling: Practice I (Lab I) for MHW Counselors - 16

Unacceptable With Self

(0-39) Presents insufficient ability to:
o Effectively self-examine one’s own counseling skills andbehaviors.
o Demonstrate introspection during the recall/feedback process.
o Separate own personal issues from those of the clients.
o Exhibit counseling interactions characterized by flexible responses and
adherence toethical boundaries.
o Demonstrate appropriate levels of personal development and interpersonal
competence.
● Overall
o Is not competent to conduct an effective, empathic, and therapeutic counseling
session.
o Cannot begin an internship placement or remain practicing in the field.

Grade Distribution:
A (94-100%) B (84-86%) C (74-76%) D (64-66%)
A- (90-93%) B- (80-83%) C- (70-73%) D- (60-63%)
B+ (87-89%) C+ (77-79%) D+ (67-69%) F (0-59%)

Course Policies and Important Resources

Plagiarism
Plagiarism, one of the gravest forms of academic dishonesty in university life, whether intended or
not, is academic fraud. In a community of scholars, whose members are teaching, learning and
discovering knowledge, plagiarism cannot be tolerated. When a professor suspects cheating,
plagiarism, and/or other forms of academic dishonesty, appropriate disciplinary action may be taken
following the department procedure or through referral to the Committee on Student Discipline. Please
refer to the Steinhardt Academic Integrity Policy at https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/current-
students/register-classes/registration/statement-academic-integrity for more information.

Students With Disabilities

Any student attending NYU who needs an accommodation due to a chronic, psychological, visual,
mobility, and/or learning disability, or is deaf or hard of hearing should register with the Moses Center
for Students with Disabilities at 212 998-4980, https://www.nyu.edu/students/communities-and-
groups/student-accessibility.html

Resources
Dr. Karthik Gunnia is the course lead. Any questions or concerns regarding the instructor, course and
evaluation process ideally would be directed to the instructor and/or to Dr. Gunnia ([email protected]).
 Individual Counseling: Practice I (Lab I) for MHW Counselors -
15

Recording Reflection & Zoom Gallery Link Document

1. Please copy and paste the link for your “Gallery” View Zoom link recording in the space provided below.
2. Review your recording when you were in the counselor role. In Column 1& 2, please note the start times and stop points of
ONE (1) incident in your recording for which you would like feedback.
3. In Column 3, please describe what you were thinking, feeling, noticing and hypothesizing about the client. For example, what
thoughts went through your mind, or where did your thoughts wander off to, when you were meeting with your client? How were
you feeling about yourself in the counselor role? What pleasant and unpleasant feelings did you experience with your client? What
sensations did you notice in your body? What did you notice about your client? What hypotheses or ideas are coming to your
mind about the problem your client presented? Make sure that there is enough background information in the start point to help
understand your comments or questions.
You can also reflect on questions suggested in the Cashwell article: 1. What do you wish you had said to your client? 2. How do
you think your client would have reacted if you had said that? 3. What would have been the risk in saying what you wanted to say?
4. If you had the chance now, how might you tellyour client what you are thinking and feeling? 5. Were there any other thoughts
going through your mind? 6. How did you want the other person to perceiveyou?
7. Were those feelings located physically in some part of your body? 8. Were you aware of any feelings? Does that feeling have
any special meaning for you? 9. What did you want your client to tell you? 10. What do you think your client wanted from you? 11.
Did your client remind you of anyone in yourlife?
4. In Column 4, please write what you wished you had said during this moment in the session. After writing what you wished you
said, you must put your wished response e in the form of one the following counseling responses: Exploratory, Listening, Affect
Recognition, or Metacommunication Response.

INSERT Gallery View Zoom Link Recording HERE:

Start Stop Column 3: Column 4:

Time Time Thoughts/Feelings/Questions/Comments/Hypothese What do you wish you had said? This must be
s followed with a response must be in the form of the
following: Exploratory, Listening, Affect
Recognition, or Metacommunication Response
Example
2:10 2:15 I was feeling anxious because I couldn’t think of what I wished I had said I felt awkward but I just couldn’t.
to say.
When I don’t know what to say, I worry people will Counseling Response: I noticed I couldn’t think of
think I don’t know what I am doing. This happens a what to say to you. How do you feel when I don’t
lot in my family. I noticed my heart beating faster know what to say to you?
and my palms getting sweaty. I wondered if she
thought I am not a good counselor.
Individual Counseling: Practice I (Lab I) for MHW Counselors - 18