Adler School of Professional Psychology Catalog 2008 – 2009

350 Community Psychology and Mental Health 3 Credits
Students learn theory and research on the role of community psychology in
treating problems related to a range of pervasive social justice issues such as
violence, homelessness, poverty, intolerance, and substance abuse, which
impact on the mental health of individuals and communities. Community
Psychology is also concerned with preventive mental health. Intervention
strategies that involve work with individuals, families, groups, communities, and
social and faith-based institutions are reviewed.
402 Introduction to Adlerian Psychology 3 Credits
and Psychopathology
This course covers the theoretical principles of Individual Psychology with an
emphasis on the self-creation of one’s unique style of life. Focus is on the
context of the individual’s original family constellation and socio-economic
setting. It further emphasizes the contextual setting of pathological
development of the style of life within families and society. The course
addresses cognitive, affective, socio-cultural dimensions in the individual’s
development and self-training; the selectivity of perception in the formation of
one’s world view; the purposive nature of behavior; creativity, selfdetermination,
and the indivisibility of the person. It also covers the
maladaptive manifestation of these aspects as the psychodynamics of
psychopathology. Attention is paid to the recursive influence between society
and the individual on both adaptive and maladaptive levels.
431 Child Guidance and Parenting 1 Credit
This course provides an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in child
guidance and parenting based upon Adlerian principles. Through lecture, class
discussion, observation, and participative demonstrations, students are
prepared to facilitate a parenting group. Upon completion of the class, students
are required to lead or co-lead a supervised 8-hour parenting. This requirement
must be completed within one year of taking this course.
432 Child Guidance and Parenting Group Supervision 1 Credit
Prerequisite: 431; must be engaged in parenting group leadership. Students
engaged in leading parenting groups are required to register for supervision.
436 Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual Aspects of Addictions 3 Credits
Prerequisite: 438. Major theories of etiology, social dynamics, and psychology
of alcohol and other drug disorders are presented within the context of human
development. Clinical research is reviewed which enhances a further
understanding of the basic physiological, psychological, social and spiritual
aspects. Impact on the individual, family, community, and organizations/
systems is presented. Considerations for how these disorders apply to special
populations such as people of color, GLBT persons, ethnic-multicultural
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