Fall 2023 Course Syllabus
Course: DAAC-1317 (Section: 50, CRN: 91495)
Basic Counseling Skills 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Kimberly Arrington
Email arringtonkd@lamarpa.edu
Phone 4099846356
Office Student Center - Room: 408
Office Hours Office hours:
  • Office Hours On Campus: Tuesdays 10:00 am - 5:00 pm; Wednesdays On Campus 2:00 - 5:00 
  • Virtual hours posted in ConexEd
  • Appointments available as scheduled with instructor on campus or virtual or by phone, Monday - Thursday
Additional Contact Information None
Course Information
Description Basic Counseling Skills: This course is designed to facilitate development of basic communication skills necessary to develop an effective helping relationship with clients. It includes the utilization of special skills to assist individuals, families, or groups in achieving objectives through exploration of a problem and it's ramifications; examination of alternative solutions; and decision making.
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Textbook: Developing Clinical Skills for Substance Abuse Counseling Author: Daniel Yalisove Year of Publication: 2010 ISBN: 978-1556203077
Additional Materials/Resources Other web-based information and handouts will be provided
Corequisites/Prerequisites None
Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1. Define the basic counseling skills necessary to the development of an effective helping relationship with clients.
2. Explain the basic counseling skills necessary to the development of an effective helping relationship with clients.
3. Define the various methods of communication
4. Identify barriers to communication in treatment.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes: Students will define and explain basic counseling skills necessary to the development of an effective helping relationship with clients. (PSLO 2).
 
Students will identify major approaches to treatment (PSLO 3).
Student Outcomes: Define and explain basic counseling skills necessary to the development of an effective helping relationship with clients. Identify major approaches to treatment.
Lecture Topics Outline
  • The Substance Abuse Counselor - What Does A Counselor Actually DO?
  • Introduction to Concepts of Basic Counseling Skills
  • Diagnosis of Substance Use Disorder
  • Counseling Techniques
  • Motivational Interviewing and  Stages of Change
  • How to use Tools of Motivational Interviewing
  • Applying Basic Principles of Substance Abuse Counseling
  • Skills Review and Mock sessions
  • Counseling Skills Videos
Major Assignments Schedule DAAC_1317_50_202390_P00311296.pdf
Final Exam Date December 5, 2023 - 5:30 PM   Through  December 6, 2023 - 7:30 PM
Grading Scale
 90 - 100 = A     80 - 89 = B     70 - 79 = C     60 - 69 = D     Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade
Discussion Board 30%
Attendance and participation in course 15%
Mid-Term Exam 30%
Final Exam 25%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies Contacting Instructor: 
I am available most efficiently through Email at all times during the day Monday - Friday.
You may text me if it is an emergency and absolutely necessary, otherwise, please email. All course business is to be discussed via email.  I will not discuss grades, deadlines or assignments via text. I will generally answer emails within 2-5 hours  Monday - Friday at 12. Fridays and weekends I will generally respond within 24 hours. Advising, registration, other matters will be discussed in email. 
Attendance Policy ATTENDANCE POLICY:
  • This course is going to be a In Person/Hybrid course. This means that part of the course will be In person and other weeks we will have assignments and information Online in Blackboard.
  • Your attendance at scheduled in person meetings is Important and required. 
  • I will not offer zoom option for evenings class is scheduled to be in person. 
  • Refer to the calendar in Blackboard  to know when you will be meeting in class or online.
  • This course is going to be heavy reading material, power points presentations, videos and lectures.
  • This is a 3 hour course, and as such it is highly recommended that you set aside 3 hours weekly for this course in order to stay on task and do well.The information builds on the foundations of chapter 1 & 2 and each week the new material will assume you have a basic understanding of the previous week.

 * * Timely assignments on black board are counted as attendance 
Research has shown a strong positive relationship between attendance, participation and college success. I strongly suggest regular participation in this course, both mental and physical.
1. On the date of an in person class, Students on campus but not in class are considered absent.
2. It is the students responsibility to notify the instructor prior to any absence.
3. Excused absences include hospitalization of you or an immediate family member, participation in a college event, or a religious holy day.
Prior notification to me for pending absences due to college events or religious holy days is required. Documentation of hospitalization is required.
 
 
Additional Information CONFIDENTIALITY/Content Advisory:
 It is expected that this class will contain information that at times will be of a personal nature to many students. These classes prepare you for a career in counseling. Some class discussions will deal with difficult and sensitive topics around drug use, alcohol use, consequences of that use and other matters. The topics often lead to personal information being shared in the classroom or online in discussion boards. Privileged information that is shared may under NO CIRCUMSTANCES be repeated or shared outside the classroom.
I will be available to any student who wishes to discuss private matters regarding material in class/ If you feel you need professional counseling services, the College has a counseling center available to students, or I can furnish a referral for you.

The student is ultimately responsible for his/her own learning and professional growth, what you put into it is what you will get out of it! It is your responsibility to conduct a realistic self-appraisal of what you personally need to master and how you can best attain it. Challenge yourself to grow as an individual and a professional.
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
Allied Health
Chair:Shirley MacNeill
Email:macneisb@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6365