Adler School of Professional Psychology Catalog 2008 – 2009

depression and bipolar disorders. Topics include etiology, epidemiology,
behavioral genetics, developmental courses and outcomes, treatment,
psychopharmacology, policy and advocacy issues.
650 Psychopharmacology 3 Credits
This course is an introduction to the scientific principles and clinical information
needed for a basic understanding of the uses and limitations of the major
classes of psychopharmacologic agents. The course builds on the material
introduced in the prerequisite course #636. Although this course may be taken
concurrently with course #636, students choosing to do so are advised that
additional self-study will most likely be required.
651 Assessment and Treatment 3 Credits
from a Systemic Perspective
This course teaches basic systems theory and “Metaframeworks,” a
comprehensive method for analyzing family and marital systems. These
concepts can be applied to a range of dysfunction of marital and family systems
as well as healthy family functioning, including the impact of larger systems.
Both conventional diagnostic categories and systemic diagnoses will be
explored. The primary emphasis is on theoretical analysis and systems thinking
rather than intervention, although an integrative treatment model will be
presented.
652 Life Cycle and Cultural Issues 3 Credits
in Marriage and Family Therapy
Prerequisites: 651 or 663. This course takes an in-depth look at the family life
cycle, an important conceptual framework for family assessment and therapy.
Beginning with intact, middle-class white American families, the course will
explore differences related to class, family structure, trauma, and particularly
ethnicity. While the course does not focus on therapy, implications for treatment
will be explored.
655 Advanced Couples Counseling 3 Credits
Prerequisites: 651 or 663. This is an advanced course on marital and family
systems with a particular focus on marital and other committed couple systems.
Emphasis is on research-based understanding of couple systems and the
implications for relationship stability and for prevention and clinical intervention.
New techniques for handling client resistance and for minimizing relapse will
also be presented.
662 Overview of Marriage and Family Therapy Models 3 Credits
This course presents an overview of major models of marriage and family
therapy, putting them in historical perspective and discussing how the MFT field
has evolved. Important models will be introduced, including major figures in the
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