Course Info: CSI-0276

CourseCSI-0276 What is Psychotherapy?
Long TitleWhat is Psychotherapy?
Term2016S
Note(s) Satisfies Distribution
Textbook information
Meeting InfoFranklin Patterson Hall 108 on W from 6:00-9:00
FacultyPeter Gilford
Capacity18
Available1
Waitlist0
Distribution(s) Culture, Humanities, and Languages
Power, Community and Social Justice
Cumulative Skill(s)Independent Work
Writing and Research
Additional InfoIn this course, students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week on class readings, writing assignments and other work outside of class time.
Description

The mental health professions offer a range of approaches for the treatment of human suffering but there is often little explanation as to what the various treatments are and how they are thought to work. A central question this class will pursue is on what basis should one choose a psychotherapist and type of psychotherapy? We will examine what psychotherapy is from a range of perspectives with the intention of developing a moral and ethical framework through which psychotherapeutic practice can be critically understood. We will explore how shifting cultural values, economic changes in health care funding and accessibility, and the modern era's emphasis on efficiency and parsimony among other factors, contribute to the popular understandings about mental health treatment. Prerequisite: 2-3 undergraduate courses in psychology.