Graduate Catalog
Professional Mental Health Counseling
Professional Mental Health Counseling at Lewis & Clark has a longstanding reputation in the community for educating professional counselors who are well-grounded in theory and skillful in providing sound clinical interventions. We train empathetic and compassionate practitioners who through their creative leadership and advocacy contribute to the advancement of the counseling profession.
Our core mission is to train counselors who can provide effective individual and group counseling and therapy in diverse community settings. Professional preparation includes knowledge, skills, and supervised clinical experiences, as well as developing an identity as a professional counselor who understands and addresses social justice as a key factor in improving the well-being of clients, individually and relationally.
Graduates of our programs understand that power, privilege, and oppression impact the well-being of individuals and the relationships in their lives, especially as related to race/ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, exile/migration status, religious and spiritual beliefs, language, education, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, physical ability and age.
Professional Mental Health Counseling programs are for students wanting to become professional counselors and work in a wide variety of settings including community mental health clinics, hospitals, correctional facilities, educational settings, residential treatment centers, and private practice.
Accreditation and Licensure
Professional Mental Health Counseling programs are approved by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) under the 2016 standards for Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs. Students who complete the Professional Mental Health Counseling program are eligible to take the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and to apply for status as a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC).
The Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists (OBLPCT) extends approval to Lewis & Clark's Professional Mental Health Counseling programs. Graduates who have earned an MA or MS degree are eligible to pursue licensing as professional counselors (LPC) in Oregon. In addition, as a CACREP accredited program, our Professional Mental Health Counseling programs meet the requirements for licensure as a professional counselor in most other states. However, some states may have additional educational requirements that must be met prior to licensure.
Master of Arts in Professional Mental Health Counseling
This degree program is for students who wish to become counselors in community mental health agencies, programs serving children, adolescents and/or families, the criminal justice or juvenile justice system, other community and educational settings, as well as private practice. Students can choose an emphasis on adult counseling or child and adolescent counseling.
Degree Requirements
A minimum of 60 semester hours, distributed as follows:
Degree Courses
| MHC 503 | Introduction to Counseling and Social Justice | 2 |
| MHC 513 | Theory and Philosophy of Counseling | 3 |
| MHC 535 | Research Methods in Counseling | 3 |
| or MHC 538 | Advanced Research Methods | |
| MHC 506 | Life Span Development | 2 |
| MHC 550 | Diversity and Social Justice | 3 |
| MHC 509 | Practical Skills for Counselors | 3 |
| MHC 522 | Diagnosis of Mental and Emotional Disorders | 3 |
| MHC 524 | Counseling and Interventions with Adults | 3 |
| MHC 534 | Child and Family Counseling | 3 |
| CTSP 514 | Group Counseling With Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| or CTSP 515 | Group Counseling With Adults | |
| MHC 523 | Counseling and Interventions With Children and Adolescents | 2 |
| MHC 532 | Ethical and Legal Issues in Professional Counseling | 2 |
| MHC 536 | Introduction to Addiction Counseling and Psychopharmacology | 2 |
| MHC 541 | Introduction to Assessment | 2 |
| MHC 549 | Treatment Planning: Theory and Research to Practice | 1 |
| MHC 548 | Trauma and Crisis Intervention in Counseling: Theoretical Foundations, Response Models, and Interventions Across the Life Span | 2 |
| MHC 540 | Career Counseling | 2 |
| MHC 580 | Practicum in Counseling (two semesters, 3 hours each) | 6 |
| MHC 582 | Mental Health Internship: Adult Emphasis (two semesters, 3 hours each) | 6 |
| or MHC 583 | Mental Health Internship: Emphasis on Child and Family Problems | |
| MHC 591 | Professional Career Development | 1 |
Elective Courses
The remaining 6 semester hours will be earned by taking elective courses approved by the program. At least two elective credits must be taken in one of the program's focus areas:
- Counseling LGBTQ clients
- Feminist therapies
- Mind/body/spirit/creativity
- Community and professional advocacy
- Ecopsychology (only for students enrolled in the Ecopsychology Certificate)
- Eating Disorders (only for students enrolled in the Eating Disorders Certificate)
Electives meeting each focus requirement are determined on a yearly basis; a list is available from the program director(s).
Graduate Convocation Requirement
Students must attend Convocation (CORE 500) in their first year in the program.
Master of Science in Professional Mental Health Counseling
Students admitted to the Master of Arts in Professional Mental Health Counseling Program may choose to seek an MS degree. This option, which includes the completion of a research based thesis, is often of interest to students planning to pursue a doctoral degree in counselor education or psychology. Students become eligible to formally apply to the MS program upon completion of the requirements listed below.
Requirements for Application
- Current enrollment in the Master of Arts in Professional Mental Health Counseling Program.
- A demonstrated capacity for initiative and independent research.
- Completion of one of the following, with a grade of B or better:
| MHC 538 | Advanced Research Methods (for those with demonstrated skills and experience in research) | 3 |
| MHC 535 | Research Methods in Counseling (for those with no research background) | 3 |
- Completion of one of the following, with a grade of B or better:
| CTSP 531 | Statistics for Professional Practice (for those interested in conducting quantitative research) | 3 |
| CTSP 537 | Qualitative Research Methods (for those interested in conducting qualitative research) | 2 |
- Completion of CTSP 594 Proposal Writing
- Completion of a thesis proposal, including a timeline for completing the project, agreement by a faculty member to serve as chair of a thesis committee, and designation of a three-person faculty committee
- Formal approval of a thesis proposal by a thesis committee
Degree Requirements
A minimum of 62 semester hours, distributed as follows:
Students must meet all degree requirements for a Master of Arts in Professional Mental Health Counseling, complete the requirements for application to the MS program listed above, and take the following course:
| CTSP 595 | Master's Thesis Research (satisfactory completion of a thesis—a minimum of 2 semester hours and maximum of 9 semester hours is required) | 2-9 |
| * | Students who take CTSP 537 Qualitative Research Methods must take either an additional credit of CTSP 594 Proposal Writing or an additional credit of CTSP 595 Master's Thesis Research. |
Practicum and Internship Information
Students in Professional Mental Health Counseling and Professional Mental Health Counseling—Specialization in Addictions enroll in a practicum course for two terms (MHC 580, 6 semester hours total) as well as two terms of internship (MHC 582 or MHC 583, 6 credit hours total). Practicum courses will be held at the Lewis & Clark Community Counseling Center. Students may also obtain a secondary practicum site at another community agency with approval of the program director. Student work with community clients is supervised live and through individual/triadic supervision with a faculty member. Practicum courses generally require spending a minimum of six hours a week at the Community Counseling Center, as well as making case presentations, transcribing session recordings, and other study and/or supervision related to client care.
To provide students with the widest range of internship opportunities to meet their professional goals, over 100 agencies in Portland and its surrounding communities are approved for placement. Prospective interns contact and interview with agencies in conjunction with our annual internship fair. Students can expect to schedule 16-20 hours per week at the internship site in addition to weekly group supervision on campus.
Prior to enrollment in a practicum or internship, students must complete a portfolio of their work in the program, including coursework, field work, and other professional activities. Students must also be approved for clinical work by the program director or designee. More information is available in the program handbook, available online.
Master of Arts Courses
MHC 503 Introduction to Counseling and Social Justice
Content: Basic theoretical assumptions of the counseling profession, with an overview of its historical roots, social and cultural contexts, types of practice, ethical principles, and professional orientation. Introduction to social justice principles and how they apply to professional counseling.
Prerequisites: None.
Credits: 2 semester hours.
MHC 506 Life Span Development
Content: Exploration of life span development through the lenses of social, cultural, cognitive, biological, and learning theories and research. Emphasis is on gaining better conceptual understanding of healthy development and better practical understanding of how to help children, adolescents, and adults address the developmental challenges they face across the life span. Particular focus placed on understanding our own developmental processes as well as the role of cultural difference and commonality in the developmental process.
Prerequisites: None.
Credits: 2 semester hours.
MHC 509 Practical Skills for Counselors
Content: Overview of basic counseling concepts and skills, including skill development through role-playing and simulated counseling experiences.
Prerequisites: Take MHC 513 and either MHCA 502 or MHC 503.
Credits: 3 semester hours.
MHC 513 Theory and Philosophy of Counseling
Content: Overview of counseling theories such as psychoanalytic, Adlerian, client-centered, cognitive-behavioral, multi-modal, Gestalt, feminist, existential, solution-focused, and brief therapy, as well as integrative approaches. Examines a wide range of theoretical perspectives and advocates professional knowledge of best practices. Students acquire knowledge of various counseling theories and critique their relevance to diverse populations and clinical situations. Students clarify their personal assumptions and learn how to explain their own theoretical stance. Issues of diversity and client matching are addressed throughout.
Prerequisites: None.
Credits: 3 semester hours.
CTSP 514 Group Counseling With Children and Adolescents
Content: Instruction and practice in developing group treatments for children and adolescents in clinical and school settings. Students gain practice as group leaders in addressing issues related to group dynamics, cultural diversity, potential problems encountered when running groups, and generalization and maintenance of behavioral change. Students also gain experience constructing curricula for specific issues such as divorce, substance use, grief, and social skills.
Prerequisites: For Professional Mental Health Counseling or Professional Mental Health Counseling - Specialization in Addictions students, take MHCA 502 or MHC 503, and MHC 506, and MHC 550. For students in the School Psychology program, take SPSY 502.
Restrictions: Consent of Counseling, Therapy & School Psychology department required.
Credits: 3 semester hours.
CTSP 515 Group Counseling With Adults
Content: Introduction to the major schools of thought regarding group therapy and the common factors associated with positive outcomes. Covers group dynamics, obstacles to success in group therapy, and the stages of group process. Role-playing, outside group membership, and demonstrations illustrate principles of effective group leadership.
Prerequisites: For students in Professional Mental Health Counseling or Professional Mental Health Counseling - Specialization in Addictions, take MHCA 502 or MHC 503, and MHC 506, MHC 513, and MHC 550. For Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy students, take MCFT 516. For students in the School Psychology program, take SPSY 502.
Credits: 3 semester hours.
MHC 522 Diagnosis of Mental and Emotional Disorders
Content: Introduction to the structure and uses of the DSM 5 for diagnosing mental and emotional disorders. Limits and weaknesses of these approaches-especially with regard to cultural differences-and alternatives to them. How to use these systems effectively in the context of person-centered, psychosocial, and systemic interventions, and in culturally diverse environments. Current knowledge, theory, and issues regarding selected disorders. Use of technology-based research tools to secure and evaluate contemporary knowledge.
Prerequisites: MHCA 502 or MHC 503; MHC 506, MHC 513, and one of the following: MHC 535 or MHC 538.
Credits: 3 semester hours.
MHC 523 Counseling and Interventions With Children and Adolescents
Content: Mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders of childhood and adolescence. Topics include identification, diagnosis, and planning of multifaceted counseling intervention and treatment strategies; developmental, social, and cultural influences on diagnoses and interventions; ecological and social-justice-oriented conceptualization and intervention across systems.
Prerequisites: MHC 503 or MHCA 502
Credits: 2 semester hours.
MHC 524 Counseling and Interventions with Adults
Content: Identification, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, substance abuse, and addictive disorders in late adolescence and adulthood. Covers adjustment, mood, anxiety, psychotic, dissociative, impulse, sexual, personality, and addictive disorders, including gambling and eating disorders. Topics include multicultural, interpersonal, and relationship factors; evidence-based treatments; and information technology research tools. Emphasis is on planning comprehensive, multifaceted treatment interventions.
Prerequisites: Take either MHCA 502 or MHC 503. Take MHC 506, MHC 513, and MHC 550.
Credits: 3 semester hours.
MHC 532 Ethical and Legal Issues in Professional Counseling
Content: Consideration of the applicable ethical and legal issues for mental health and school settings. Students develop skills in writing reports, assessments, and treatment plans.
Prerequisites: Take either MHCA 502 or MHC 503.
Credits: 2 semester hours.
MHC 534 Child and Family Counseling
Content: An introduction to theoretical systems and practical approaches to working with children and families in various counseling settings. Ethical principles, self-awareness, personal counseling style and honoring of diversity will be examined through textbook reading, class discussions, reflective assignments, as well as various classroom activities to assist students in beginning work with children and families. Students will practice counseling skills related to working with children and families and will develop awareness and intentionality in conceptualization of child and family clients.
Prerequisites: Take MHC 506, MHC 513, MHC 550 and either MHCA 502 or MHC 503.
Restrictions: Admission to Professional Mental Health Counseling or Professional Mental Health Counseling - Specialization in Addictions.
Credits: 3 semester hours.
MHC 535 Research Methods in Counseling
Content: Foundations of psychological research. Students are introduced to qualitative and quantitative research processes and basic concepts. Topics include (1) elements of the research process; (2) types of designs, program evaluation; (3) ethical considerations of research: informed consent, research with diverse and vulnerable populations, research with children, human subjects review; (4) basic measurement concepts: validity, reliability, norms, score interpretation; and (5) basic statistical concepts: frequency distributions, central tendency, measures of variability, correlation, normal curve, hypothesis testing, significance tests. Students read and evaluate examples of published research. Reviews Web-based resources for conducting research.
Prerequisites: None.
Credits: 3 semester hours.
MHC 536 Introduction to Addiction Counseling and Psychopharmacology
Content: General survey course providing a broad overview of the field of addiction counseling and the impact of addiction on child, adolescent, and adult populations. The course will summarize key points drawn from the following areas: the American experience with addiction and recovery, theoretical explanations for understanding addiction and dual diagnosis, basic pharmacology and neuroscience, and assessment and treatment issues specific to dual diagnosis and addiction counseling.
Prerequisites: Take MHC 503, MHC 506, MHC 509, MHC 513, MHC 522, MHC 550.
Credits: 2 semester hours.
MHC 540 Career Counseling
Content: Career development theories; current career trends, concerns, and programs/interventions for diverse client populations; career counseling strategies, tools, and resources (including Web-based resources); facilitation of client awareness, choice, and action with respect to career-related issues; integration of career counseling with mental health and addictions treatment. Emphasis is on developing a broad view of career as lifestyle, the mutual impact of career and culture, and the practical application of theory and information in a professional counseling context.
Prerequisites: None.
Credits: 2-3 semester hours.
MHC 541 Introduction to Assessment
Content: Principles of psychological assessment as employed in school, clinical, and applied settings. Addresses psychometric concepts such as validity, reliability, norms, and score interpretation. Surveys intelligence, personality, career, interest, aptitude, and achievement tests and reviews alternative methods of assessing competence and person-situation interactions. Contemporary issues such as the validity of instruments for diverse populations and the impact of technology on assessment are discussed.
Prerequisites: For Professional Mental Health Counseling students, MHC 503, MHC 506, MHC 509, MHC 513, MHC 534, one of the following: MHC 535, or MHC 538. For Professional Mental Health Counseling - Specialization in Addictions students, MHCA 502, MHC 506, MHC 513, MHC 550, and one of the following: MHC 535, or MHC 538.
Credits: 2 semester hours.
MHC 548 Trauma and Crisis Intervention in Counseling: Theoretical Foundations, Response Models, and Interventions Across the Life Span
Content: This class includes the basic historical and theoretical foundations of crisis intervention and treatment of the effects of trauma. The main focus of study is current theory and practice models as well as the application of skills and techniques utilized in crisis interventions. The effects of crises, disasters, and other trauma-causing events will be differentiated across the lifespan. Principles of crisis intervention for people during crises disasters and other trauma-causing events will be examined utilizing a worldview context. Counselor self-care practice will be integrated into crisis and trauma work to bring into awareness and ameliorate the effects of crisis and trauma exposure.
Prerequisites: MHC 503 or MHCA 502; MHC 506; MHC 509; MHC 532; CTSP 514 or CTSP 515; MHC 522; MHC 523; MHC 524; MHC 535 or MHC 538; and MHC 550.
Credits: 2 semester hours.
MHC 549 Treatment Planning: Theory and Research to Practice
Content: This course assists students in developing critical thinking, case conceptualization, and treatment planning skills. Students develop their abilities to gather data, conceptualize from their emerging theoretical perspectives, and plan treatment. Uses an ecological and social-justice framework to view the client in context, apply evidence-based practice with cultural sensitivity, and plan interventions across multiple systems (individual, family, and community).
Prerequisites: Corequisite MHC 580
Credits: 1 semester hour.
MHC 550 Diversity and Social Justice
Content: Development of diversity awareness and knowledge including systems of power and privilege. Introduction to methods/skills for working with clients who are diverse in culture, race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, or physical or mental ability. Focus is on helping students become capable therapists in varied environments, including becoming aware of their own beliefs, biases, and prejudices.
Prerequisites: MHCA 502 or MHC 503
Credits: 3 semester hours.
MHC 580 Practicum in Counseling
Content: Working with clients in the practicum clinic, agency or school setting (eight to 10 hours per week, 150 hours total) under intensive supervision from CPSY faculty, developing the therapeutic relationship and basic counseling competencies. Students are expected to demonstrate personal characteristics and professional conduct necessary for effective, ethical counseling. Two semesters, 3 credit hour each required.
Prerequisites: None.
Restrictions: Consent of the program director.
Credits: 1-3 semester hours.
MHC 582 Mental Health Internship: Adult Emphasis
Content: Internship in a community setting. Participants engage in counseling and related professional activities under supervision. Students write reports, prepare case histories, and submit work samples for supervisory review.
Prerequisites: MHC 580.
Restrictions: Consent of internship coordinator.
Credits: 3 semester hours.
MHC 583 Mental Health Internship: Emphasis on Child and Family Problems
Content: Internship in a community setting. Participants engage in counseling and related professional activities under supervision. Students write reports, prepare case histories, and submit work samples for supervisory review.
Prerequisites: MHC 580.
Restrictions: Consent of internship coordinator.
Credits: 3 semester hours.
MHC 591 Professional Career Development
Content: This course is designed to apply principles of career development to the professional development of counselors in a variety of roles and settings. Administration, supervision, consultation, and other career-related opportunities for professional mental health counselors will be explored.
Prerequisites: MHC 580.
Credits: 1 semester hour.
Master of Science Courses
MHC 538 Advanced Research Methods
Content: Advanced Research Methods has been developed for those students who enter their PMHC/PMHC-A program with a strong research background and/or are considering completing a thesis. This class will build on student's base of knowledge by providing an opportunity to learn about aspects of the research process in more detail. Research paradigms, qualitative, quantitative designs and program evaluation will be covered. We will also learn about new and innovative designs and/or methods. Students planning to complete a thesis will refine their thesis topics, develop a research question, and begin their thesis proposal, including a literature review. The structure of the class will include some lecture but primarily that of a research colloquium. Each meeting of the colloquium will cover a different broad topic with specifics determined by the class. Class will also provide the opportunity to present "problems" and/or issues that come up as students design their projects.
Prerequisites: None.
Restrictions: Consent of instructor or at least one research methods and one statistics class taken as part of an undergraduate degree program passed with a B+ or better. (If you have only taken one course, but have other research experience such as writing a thesis or working as a research assistant, you may still be eligible.)
Credits: 3 semester hours.
CTSP 531 Statistics for Professional Practice
Content: This course covers the descriptive and inferential statistics practitioners use in their professions. There is an overview of quantitative research designs with the focus on understanding and application of data analysis and interpretation. Coverage includes basic descriptive and inferential statistics, appropriate interpretation of statistical results, and real-world presentation of data. Note: Taught in spring semester only. Students who wish to pursue the thesis-option M.S. program are required to take this course if conducting a quantitative thesis project.
Prerequisites: None.
Credits: 3 semester hours.
CTSP 537 Qualitative Research Methods
Content: Overview and application of qualitative research methods. Through course readings, discussion, and practical application, candidates explore: (1) different approaches in qualitative research and epistemologies and common theoretical perspectives that undergird qualitative inquiry, and (2) various methods and techniques for gathering, interpreting, and making meaning of in-depth and rich information about things as they occur in their natural settings. Candidates gain the skills necessary to review and critique qualitative research and to design and undertake their own qualitative research.
Prerequisites: None.
Restrictions: Consent of instructor, program director, or advisor
Credits: 2 semester hours.
CTSP 594 Proposal Writing
Content: Direct instruction and support for the process of preparing a thesis and/or other research or grant proposals. Includes both a colloquium and individual consultations with a thesis chair (or, if not writing a thesis, another faculty member). The colloquium will focus on the refinement of research questions, the specifics of research design, and the Human Subjects in Research application process. Consultations with thesis committee chair or other faculty member will focus on the development of a manuscript that clearly details the purpose of the research, summarizes relevant literature, and identifies the proposed design and methodology for the research project.
Prerequisites: None.
Restrictions: Permission of program director or thesis coordinator
Credits: 1 semester hour.
CTSP 595 Master's Thesis Research
Content: Completion of thesis research project under the direction of the chair of the candidate's thesis committee. Two semester hours, which can be taken in 1-semester hour increments, are required for degree. Grades are deferred until the candidate has successfully defended his/her/their thesis.
Prerequisites: CTSP 594
Restrictions: Consent of thesis committee chair.
Credits: 1-9 semester hours.