Helping Students Overcome Depression and Anxiety is a 3 credit course, that focuses on how educators, counselors, social workers, psychologists and other behavioral/emotional support personnel in the schools can help children with anxiety and depression. Participants will learn about internalizing behavioral disorders in children and adolescents, and what techniques are best for dealing with them.
Organization
The course is organized into 4 Modules and presented in a modified, self-paced format. Participants are encouraged to access the course regularly and make reasonable progress, but there are no due dates attached to individual assignments. Instead there are 2 absolute due dates (mid-term and the last day of class) to provide flexibility and to better accommodate participants' busy schedules. The length of time each Module should take to complete varies from approximately 20 to 30 hrs. Lessons will be taught using a combination of readings, external resources, examples, discussion forums, activities, assignment, and enrichment materials. The instructor will monitor all forum discussions and offer feedback and coaching on assignments.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will:
1. Understand internalizing disorders and how they develop
2. Understand the impact internalizing disorders have on self-esteem, academic performance, and social relationships
3.Understand the impact of internalizing disorders on substance abuse, suicidal ideation, and chronic mental health problems
4. Understand how internalizing disorders are assessed
5. Understand the role of cognitive behavioral therapies in the treatment and intervention of depression & anxiety
6. Be able to apply cognitive behavioral strategies & techniques to help children & adolescents with internalizing disorders
Course Topics
1. What internalizing problems are and how they develop
2. Assessing internalizing disorders
3. Depression prevention and comprehensive interventions
4. Depression interventions and cognitive therapies
5. Behavioral interventions and conflict resolution training for depression
6. Treating anxiety with systematic desensitization
7. Behavioral interventions for treating anxiety
8. Understanding medications and making referrals
9. Developing cognitive-behavioral plans of intervention for classroom
Grading
Grading is the same whether the course is taken for graduate credit or for license renewal. Students are required to participate in all discussion forums and to complete all assignments and/or activities. A=90%-100%; B=80%-89%-Because this is a graduate level course, scores must be 80% or better to receive credit.
Required Text: Helping Students Overcome Depression and Anxiety, 2nd Ed. (2008) by Kenneth W. Merrell available for purchase through bookstores and on-line.
Organization
The course is organized into 4 Modules and presented in a modified, self-paced format. Participants are encouraged to access the course regularly and make reasonable progress, but there are no due dates attached to individual assignments. Instead there are 2 absolute due dates (mid-term and the last day of class) to provide flexibility and to better accommodate participants' busy schedules. The length of time each Module should take to complete varies from approximately 20 to 30 hrs. Lessons will be taught using a combination of readings, external resources, examples, discussion forums, activities, assignment, and enrichment materials. The instructor will monitor all forum discussions and offer feedback and coaching on assignments.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will:
1. Understand internalizing disorders and how they develop
2. Understand the impact internalizing disorders have on self-esteem, academic performance, and social relationships
3.Understand the impact of internalizing disorders on substance abuse, suicidal ideation, and chronic mental health problems
4. Understand how internalizing disorders are assessed
5. Understand the role of cognitive behavioral therapies in the treatment and intervention of depression & anxiety
6. Be able to apply cognitive behavioral strategies & techniques to help children & adolescents with internalizing disorders
Course Topics
1. What internalizing problems are and how they develop
2. Assessing internalizing disorders
3. Depression prevention and comprehensive interventions
4. Depression interventions and cognitive therapies
5. Behavioral interventions and conflict resolution training for depression
6. Treating anxiety with systematic desensitization
7. Behavioral interventions for treating anxiety
8. Understanding medications and making referrals
9. Developing cognitive-behavioral plans of intervention for classroom
Grading
Grading is the same whether the course is taken for graduate credit or for license renewal. Students are required to participate in all discussion forums and to complete all assignments and/or activities. A=90%-100%; B=80%-89%-Because this is a graduate level course, scores must be 80% or better to receive credit.
Required Text: Helping Students Overcome Depression and Anxiety, 2nd Ed. (2008) by Kenneth W. Merrell available for purchase through bookstores and on-line.