PACO 835 Premarital & Marital Issues in Pastoral Counseling

As a basis for their work, pastors and counselors should have a thorough understanding of premarital and marital counseling theories and their relevance for guiding the therapeutic process. In addition to understanding core theoretical principles, pastors and counselors need to appreciate contributions from various theoretical approaches to the actual practice of counseling. This understanding serves to heighten counselor effectiveness in formulating effective treatment strategies and in aiding in the delivery of powerful interventions in an efficient and timely manner.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (3)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will complete 3 discussions (not including the Discussion: Reflective Engagement) related to topics referenced in the texts, providing opportunities for exploration, evaluation, and further development of key concepts related to the course material. Each discussion thread must be 300 words, and each reply must be 250 words. (CLO: A, B)

Discussion: Reflective Engagement

For this discussion, you will post one thread of at least 200 words in the last Module: Week. You will then post 1 reply of at least 200 words.For each thread, you must support your assertions with at least 2 scholarly citations and 1 biblical citation in APA format. Each reply must incorporate at least 1 scholarly citation in APA format. Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years. Acceptable sources include course textbooks and Scripture. (CLO: A, B)

Family Systems Theory Profile Assignment

The Family Systems Theory Profile Assignment assists pastoral counselors in identifying and distinguishing family dynamics to engage more effectively and offer applicable solutions to alter harmful patterns in relationships. This assignment must be 1,250 – 1,500 words and incorporate Scripture and all course materials. This assignment must be formatted in APA. (CLO: B)

Two People, One Marriage Assignment

The Two People, One Marriage Assignment builds upon the basic concepts of family systems theory in assisting the pastoral counselor to assist couples in creating a shared meaning for their marriage. The pastoral counselor will accomplish this by guiding couples to explore their psychological underpinnings and how that predisposition affects their marriage. This assignment must be 1,000 – 1,200 words and incorporate Scripture and all course materials. This assignment must be formatted in APA. (CLO: B)

Premarital Workshop: Developing the Proposal Assignment

The Premarital Workshop: Developing the Proposal Assignment will outline certain topics related to premarital counseling. This proposal will highlight content and strategies designed to assist couples in establishing a biblical foundation and spiritual growth as a couple, assessing how family systems affect marriage, exploring conflict and communication, and other common issues in marriage, and identifying ways to grow in their marriage. This assignment must be 1,000 – 1,200 words and incorporate Scripture and all course materials. This assignment must be formatted in APA. (CLO: C)

Premarital Workshop: Executing the Proposal Assignment

The Premarital workshop: Executing the Proposal Assignment is a presentation that presents content and strategies designed to assist couples in establishing a biblical foundation and spiritual growth as a couple, assessing how family systems affect marriage, exploring conflict and communication, and other common issues in marriage, and identifying ways to grow in their marriage. This assignment must incorporate Scripture and all course materials. This assignment must be presented as a PowerPoint, Prezi, or Canva option. Citations and references must be in APA format when applicable (CLO: C).