Course Descriptions
The VCU Bulletin is the official source for academic course and program information.
RHAB 521 Addictions Counseling
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Provides an overview of substance abuse and dependence as multifactorial disorders (including biological, psychological, behavioral and sociocultural elements.) Exposes students to an overview of the various psychoactive substances, multiple theoretical models of substance abuse and dependence, and resulting medical, social and legal consequences. Focuses on substance abuse prevention, diagnosis, intervention, treatment and support systems.
RHAB 522 Clinical Evaluation, Assessment and Treatment Planning in Addiction Counseling
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Focuses on approaches to screening, assessment, and clinical evaluation of substance and behavioral addiction; advanced diagnosis including co-occurring disorders; clinical treatment planning; prevention; relapse prevention; and harm reduction approaches. (currently offered in fall semester)
RHAB 523 Contemporary Issues in Addiction Counseling
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Examines current issues and research in the field. Topics include ethical decision making; attachment and trauma; cultural intersections in addiction; perinatal addiction; adolescent/teen/family addiction; and medication assisted therapy. (currently offered in spring semester)
RHAB 525 Introduction to Rehabilitation Counseling
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Provides an overview of history, philosophy, legislation, organizational structure and trends in the rehabilitation profession. Focuses on attitudinal, social and environmental barriers to the inclusion of people with disabilities; professional identity, roles and functions; CRC Code of Ethics; CRC Standards of Practice; and career options.
RHAB 526 Introduction to Mental Health Counseling
Semester course; 3 lecture hours; 3 credits. Provides an overview of history, philosophy, legislation, organizational structure and trends in mental health counseling. Focuses on advocacy, professional identity, roles and functions, ethics, counseling certification and licensure, and career options.
*RHAB 533 Directed Readings in Rehabilitation
Semester course; 1-3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. Provides intensive study in one or more topical areas of rehabilitation through directed readings under the supervision of a faculty member.
RHAB 611 Theories of Professional Counseling
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Provides a deep understanding of the major theoretical approaches, models, and strategies to effective counseling, consultation, prevention, advocacy and wellness programs with an emphasis on common factors and evidence-based effectiveness. The intent is to assist students in developing an ethical and culturally relevant yet personal model of counseling.
RHAB 612 Group Counseling Theories and Techniques
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Reviews theoretical foundations of group work, group dynamics and processes, group therapeutic factors, and characteristics and functions of effective group leaders. Reviews ethical and culturally relevant strategies for designing, implementing and facilitating a variety of group approaches. Provides experience in group participation and development of group leadership skills.
*RHAB 613 Advanced Rehabilitation Counseling
Seminar 3-9 lecture hours. 3-9 credits. Prerequisites: RHAB 611 and RHAB 612 or permission of instructor. This course is designed to provide an opportunity for students to undertake a more in-depth study of selected approaches to individual and/or group counseling of rehabilitation clients. Principles and techniques relevant to vocational, educational, and personal adjustment problems related to severe and multiple disabilities will be systematically explored and studied. Audio visual tape experience will be offered.
RHAB 615 Human Growth and Development
Semester course; 3 lecture hours; 3 credits. The course is intended to examine the major theories and research of human development over the lifespan - from conception through adulthood. The study of human development will focus on physical, emotional, social, and cognitive aspects across the lifespan. The course will emphasize how developmental processes relate to persons with disabilities and impact the work of rehabilitation and other helping professionals.
RHAB 616 Couples and Family Counseling
Semester course; 3 lecture hours; 3 credits. Provides an overview of approaches to couples and family counseling. Instruction in the theoretical foundation and interventions in couples and family therapy will be examined.
RHAB 623 Career Counseling and Job Placement
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Provides an overview of major theories of career development with emphasis on theories relevant to rehabilitation practice. Explores occupational information and job matching systems; career counseling techniques; and major job placement approaches and techniques with emphasis on demand-side job placement.
RHAB 624 Assessment and Evaluation
Semester course; 3 lecture hours; 3 credits. Examines principles of measurement, assessment and diagnosis in rehabilitation and mental health counseling; test selection, administration and interpretation; accommodating individuals with disabilities in the testing process. Includes an overview of the major domains in assessment.
RHAB 625 Research and Program Evaluations
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Examines basic principles in rehabilitation research and program evaluation, including an emphasis on the critical review of published research for use in rehabilitation practice. Focuses on students understanding of the application of research and program evaluation tools to enhance the quality of rehabilitation services delivered.
RHAB 633 Case Management
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: 18 completed credits in core courses. Explores benefit systems, ethics, goal development, rehabilitation planning, coordination and delivery of rehabilitation services, community resources and documentation. Focuses on critical analyses of representative disability-specific case studies; e.g., substance abuse.
RHAB 640 Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Disabilities
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Provides an overview of the major disabilities encountered by rehabilitation and mental health counselors. Focuses on functional limitations and the process of psychological adjustment.
RHAB 642 Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Health Disorders
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Examines the major mental disorders, and their etiology, definition, diagnosis and classification. Reviews the prevailing multiaxial classification systems and diagnostic processes, procedures and nomenclatures currently used in clinical practice. Provides an overview of application of psychotropic medication and other treatment approaches. Includes diagnostic interviewing, tests of psychopathology and mental health treatment planning.
*RHAB 644 Crisis and Trauma Counseling
Semester Course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Focuses on the biopsychosocial and developmental effects of crisis, disasters, and trauma on diverse individuals across the lifespan. Overviews trauma-informed and trauma-specific assessment and counseling interventions and strategies. Professional areas of risk assessment and crisis response will be addressed. The promotion of resilience and post-traumatic growth in counseling will be discussed.
RHAB 654 Multicultural Counseling
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Provides an overview of multicultural counseling theories and techniques. Provides an understanding of how human development, family, gender, race and ethnicity impact upon the process of adjustment to disability.
*RHAB 681-689 Institutes and Workshops in Rehabilitation
Orientation institutes and other short-term training programs are offered for rehabilitation counselors newly recruited to the rehabilitation field and for the further professional development of those already employed. Content will vary according to the aims of the institutes or workshops. Length of time and number of credits are announced prior to each institute or workshop.
RHAB 691 Counseling Techniques
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. 3 credits. Provides experience and practice in the basic counseling skills related to the helping process. Examines the variety of clinical settings available for professional preparation. Provides the necessary level of skill development for students to participate in internship.
RHAB 692 Advanced Issues in Professional Counseling
Semester course. 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: RHAB 691. Provides an advanced overview of professional identity, roles and functions; counseling practice issues; supervision; and specialized counseling techniques in rehabilitation and mental health counseling. Includes 100 hours of supervised rehabilitation and mental health counseling practicum.
RHAB 693/5/6 Supervised Clinical Practice in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling
Semester course; 3-9 clinic/field experience hours (3 credits per 200 hours of supervised internship). 3-9 credits. May be repeated in increments of 3 credits; must have 9 credits toward degree completion. Prerequisite: RHAB 692. Enrollment restricted to students who have completed 30 graduate credits. Emphasizes mastery of setting-specific roles and functions of the professional rehabilitation and mental health counselor. Stresses ethical decision-making in practice. Involves scheduled seminars and meetings with faculty and agency supervisor.
*These courses are not offered on a regular basis and are subject to availability of faculty instructor.
Elective 1-credit series (asynchronous, Canvas)
In fall and spring semesters, the following electives are offered on a 5-week rotating basis, focusing on practical applications of counseling skills. Students may work individually or in small groups on course assignments. Students in the Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling program have priority admission. Other students may request overrides into the courses through the VCU Rehabilitation Counseling student override request form.
Fall series
Applications of MI (RHAB 686)
This class introduces specialty applications of Motivational Interviewing, a person-centered approach focused on evoking motivation for growth and change, adapted for a variety of client populations and clinical issues. Students choose four areas to explore.
Positive Psychology Interventions (RHAB 687)
Positive Psychology interventions proactively focus on enhancing well-being and growth rather than compensating for deficits and pathology.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (RHAB 689)
ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) focuses on increasing psychological flexibility through mindfulness- and acceptance-based practices and committed action toward currently-held values.
Spring series
Compassion-Based Therapies (RHAB 686)
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) guide clients to turn toward challenging thoughts with curiosity, develop a supportive "inner voice," and learn to better give and receive compassion.
Somatic Therapies (RHAB 687)
Somatic therapies are adjunctive treatments for trauma and stressor-related health and mental health injuries, anxiety disorders, and chronic pain.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RHAB 689)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) focuses on helping people develop skills to manage difficult emotions and reduce conflict in relationships by balancing acceptance and change.