Marital & Family Therapy (MFTS)

MFTS 500 | EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE IN FAMILY THERAPY

Units: 3 Repeatability: No

By the end of the class, the student will have the motivation, knowledge and skills necessary to use research successfully in a variety of ways in their clinical work.

MFTS 523 | FAMILY THERAPY THEORIES I

Units: 3 Repeatability: No

Students are exposed to the fundamental assumptions and ideas of general systems theory and the basic premises of the various theoretical orientations within the family therapy field. Family theories I covers Structural Family Therapy, Strategic Family Therapy, Bowen Family Therapy, and Behavioral Family Therapy.

MFTS 524 | FAMILY THERAPY THEORIES II

Units: 3 Repeatability: No

Students are exposed to the fundamental assumptions and ideas of general systems theory, and the basic premises of the various theoretical orientations within the family therapy field. Family Theories II covers Experiential family therapies, Narrative Therapy, Solution-focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy, and the process of theory integration.

MFTS 528 | PSYCHOPATHOLOGY IN THE FAMILY

Units: 3 Repeatability: No

An examination of the developmental factors that lead to the emergence and maintenance of various psychological and interpersonal disorders. Emphasis is on developing skills in recognizing inappropriate and maladaptive behaviors and in selecting appropriate techniques for counseling and referral. The course focuses on integrating psychopathology and family diagnosis.

MFTS 529 | ETHICAL, LEGAL, & PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN FAMILY THERAPY

Units: 3 Repeatability: No

An examination of the most important areas of legal, ethical, and professional concern to marriage and family therapists and other mental health practitioners in California. Among the topics covered are: confidentiality; psychotherapist-patient privilege; child, elder and dependent adult abuse; reporting laws; treating dangerous patients; treating minors with and without parental consent; dual relationship issues; selected areas of family law, licensing law and regulations, scope of practice issues; ethical standards of the MFT profession; and professional identity.

MFTS 532 | HUMAN DIVERSITY IN FAMILY THERAPY

Units: 3 Repeatability: No

Issues related to various ethnic and cultural backgrounds are examined, including the influence of minority characteristics, racism and discrimination in the therapeutic process. Emphasis is placed on the interplay between social issues and the therapeutic process.

MFTS 533 | FAMILY DEVELOPMENT

Units: 3 Repeatability: No

This course uses a biopsychosocial, systemic framework to examine various topics central to families and their development across the life span. The course examines a wide range of developmental issues important to understanding family functioning (mate selection, marriage, parenting, divorce), with special attention on diversity in family types (stepfamilies, single-parent families, immigrant families). An emphasis will be placed on the clinical application of concepts.

MFTS 541 | SYSTEMIC TREATMENT OF CHILDREN

Units: 3 Repeatability: No

The study of the major methods used to assess and treat child and adolescent problems from an integrated systemicdevelopmental perspective. The treatment of both normative and non-normative developmental problems in children and adolescents is emphasized.

MFTS 542 | FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Units: 1 Repeatability: No

When parents are confronted with the news that their child has a disability, life changes immediately, dramatically and permanently. Families with a child who has a disability or who is chronically ill confront challenges and bear burdens unknown to other families and, at times, unknown to the professionals who are entrusted with the responsibility of providing services and support. In addition to having to learn how to adjust to and cope with a new reality after receiving a diagnosis, families need also to learn how to access and navigate a number of systems of care including the medical, mental health and educational systems, as well as a host of government agencies such as the Regional Center and Social Security.

MFTS 543 | DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

Units: 3 Repeatability: No

This course presents key concepts and theories in child and adolescent development. The course addresses both normative development and developmental psychopathology. Developmental concepts are discussed in relationship to the family context and how these concepts can inform clinical work with children and families. Prerequisite: An undergraduate course in human development.

MFTS 544 | PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND SYSTEMS

Units: 2 Repeatability: No

Prerequisites: MFTS 528 with a minimum grade of C- (Can be taken Concurrently)

An introduction to medication and its use in treating mental disorders. Students learn how medications function in managing mental disorders and the positive and negative effects of these medications on human functioning. A psychoeducational perspective is used to integrate the family systems perspective with biological considerations.

MFTS 546 | COUPLES AND SEX THERAPY

Units: 3 Repeatability: No

The study of the major methods used to assess and treat couple problems, with an emphasis on sexual issues and the treatment of sexual disorders. Both behavioral and nonbehavioral methods and strategies are presented.

MFTS 562 | RECOVERY-ORIENTED CASE MANAGEMENT

Units: 1 Repeatability: No

This course will focus on the components and principles of Recovery Oriented Case Management. The course will examine the strength based, client centered advocacy and resiliency models in Recovery Oriented Case Management. The course will look at various systems of care including community, public, and private mental health and social services including how they can support Recovery Oriented Case Management. The course will address how diversity, socio-economic status, and poverty may affect, and be affected by, the implementation of Recovery Oriented Case Management. The course will examine how marriage & family therapists in their clinical practice can use Recovery-oriented Case Management to more fully serve and benefit Individuals, Couples, and Families.

MFTS 563 | COLLABORATIVE CARE

Units: 1 Repeatability: No

This course examines various models of collaborative care and the clinical competencies and skills MFT’s need to work successfully on collaborative care teams. This course will also examine the biopsychosocialspiritual aspects of illness and how MFT’s can assess and manage common mental health, psychosocial, and health behavior issues in primary care settings and recovery oriented practice environments. Contextual issues such as race/ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion, and socioeconomic status (SES) and how they inform collaborative care practices will also be discussed.

MFTS 566 | INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY TRAUMA

Units: 1 Repeatability: No

This course is designed to introduce students to how trauma affects individuals, families, and communities, including the nature of trauma (e.g., abuse, combat, natural disasters), grief reactions, and traumatic stress. Also included in this class is an exploration of the therapist’s response to trauma, crisis intervention, comorbid disorders and general treatment issues. Students will review evidence-based practices in the trauma field. The instructor uses a culturally-informed perspective to teach the class.

MFTS 567 | INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY TRAUMA

Units: 2 Repeatability: No

MFTS 570 | SYSTEMIC TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Units: 2 Repeatability: No

A critical evaluation of the complex and sometimes contradictory information available in drug and alcohol abuse treatment. A biopsychosocial model of organization is presented along with both individual and family assessment, diagnosis and treatment techniques.

MFTS 571 | FAMILY VIOLENCE

Units: 1 Repeatability: No

This course will focus on the dynamics, assessments and interventions regarding family violence and child abuse. The course will examine theories, multiple assessments, treatments & interventions, as well as social & scientific controversies regarding family violence and child abuse. The course will encourage self reflection regarding the definition, function, & various experiences of abuse and violence in society and the family. The course will address gender and cultural issues regarding both victims and perpetrators of family violence and child abuse. The course will examine how marriage & family therapists in their clinical practice can assess for and treat families experiencing violence and abuse.

MFTS 572 | GENDER ISSUES IN FAMILY THERAPY

Units: 1 Repeatability: No

Gender issues and their impact on societal norms and values, the development of problems and the process of therapeutic intervention are examined.

MFTS 573 | GROUP THERAPY

Units: 1 Repeatability: No

The ability to work with groups is increasingly becoming an essential skill for family therapists. This course will provide a survey of types of groups in clinical practice. Students will be exposed to a variety of group experiences to enrich their understanding of group structures and dynamics.

MFTS 574 | AGING ISSUES IN FAMILY THERAPY

Units: 1 Repeatability: No

Issues relevant to family therapists working with adults in later life and their families are addressed. Special attention is given to assessment skills, including intergenerational history and patterns, ethnicity, SES, gender and cultural factors. Common life-cycle issues, such as retirement, are addressed, as are problems experienced by a significant number of elderly people, including illness, long-term care and loss.

MFTS 575 | SOCIAL NEUROSCIENCE FOR FAMILY THERAPISTS

Units: 1 Repeatability: No

Social Neuroscience seeks to understand the psychological and biological bases of social behavior. How does the brain support our social relationships and how do our social experiences affect the brain, body and physical health? Family life is a primary incubator for brain development, especially for children. In this course, topics such as attachment, stress and coping, empathy, emotional regulation, family emotional environment and aging will be explored with a focus on application of research findings into clinical interventions.

MFTS 576 | SELF OF THE THERAPIST

Units: 1 Repeatability: No

This experiential learning course focuses on the student’s own family experiences and the impact of these experiences on the student’s work as a family therapist.

MFTS 577 | TREATMENT OF SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS

Units: 3 Repeatability: No

The purpose of this course is to teach MFT students effective strategies for the treatment of severe mental illness through a balanced exploration of current trends in treatment planning and delivery, research and outcomes, various theoretical perspectives and the specific needs of this unique population of clients. An emphasis will be placed on principles of mental health recovery-oriented care and methods of service delivery in recovery-oriented practice environments.

MFTS 578 | SPIRITUAL ISSUES IN FAMILY THERAPY

Units: 1 Repeatability: No

Spiritual issues and their impact on the treatment of marital and family therapy problems are examined. The importance of individual and family spiritual development in its various forms is emphasized.

MFTS 579 | SOLES EXPERIMENTAL TOPICS

Units: 1-3 Repeatability: Yes (Can be repeated for Credit)

This course number is used by SOLES for experimental topics courses. The title and content of each 579 course will vary by topic and program/department. If more than one 579 course is offered during a single semester, section numbers will allow for identification of the course.

MFTS 592 | PRACTICUM IN MFT

Units: 0 Repeatability: No

Students receive group supervision on issues relevant to the treatment process including client-therapist match, resistance and change, assessment, treatment planning and the self of the therapist.

MFTS 595P | PRACTICUM IN MFT 1

Units: 5 Repeatability: No

Non-Core Attributes: Public Service

In the didactic portion of the course, issues relevant to the beginning clinician are addressed including refinement of interviewing skills and the application of treatments to specific problems. Students also receive group supervision and individual supervision based on either videotaping or live observation of their work.

MFTS 596P | PRACTICUM IN MFT 2

Units: 5 Repeatability: No

Non-Core Attributes: Public Service

Issues relevant to the treatment process are covered including client-therapist match, resistance and change, assessment, treatment planning and the self of the therapist. Students also receive group supervision and individual supervision based on either videotaping or live observation of their work.

MFTS 597P | PRACTICUM IN MFT 3

Units: 5 Repeatability: No

Non-Core Attributes: Public Service

Issues relevant to the involvement of schools, protective services and other groups and agencies during the treatment process are covered. Students also receive group supervision and individual supervision based on either videotaping or live observation of their work.

MFTS 598P | PRACTICUM EXTENSION

Units: 1-5 Repeatability: No

This course provides continuing group supervision for students who need to complete a substantial number of clinical hours after completing three semesters of Practicum.

MFTS 599 | INDEPENDENT STUDY

Units: 6

Independent study designed for individual student needs. Students must complete the Application for Independent Study or Research form and obtain the signatures of the faculty supervisor, Program Director/Department Chair and the Associate Dean prior to registering for the course.