M.Sc.

Counselling and Psychotherapy

Syllabus

I – YEAR Course Code

Paper I – Fundamentals of Psychology MCP 11

Paper II – Developmental Psychology MCP 12

Paper III – Psychopathalogy and Mental Health MCP 13

Paper IV – Counselling and Health Psychology MCP 14

Paper V – Counselling Techniques and Assessment MCP 15

II - YEAR

Paper VI – Principles and Techniques of Psychotherapy MCP 21

Paper VII – Behavior Therapies MCP 22

Paper VIII – Psychotherapies MCP 23

Paper IX – Clinical Assessment MCP 24

Paper X – Psychological Tests for Assessment MCP 25

1
 Paper- I

FUNDAMENTALS OF PSYCHOLOGY (MCP 11)

Block - I

Introduction - definitions - Schools of Psychology - Applications and fields

–Methods -Brain and Behaviour: Neurons:Nerve impulse, Synapses,
Neurotransmitters - Nervous system: introduction to CNS, PNS.

Block - II

Sensation and Perception: Sensory Processes - Five sense organs and

their functions - Perception and perceptual process – Attention and Perception –
Movement and Depth perception – Role of Learning.

Block - III

Learning: Conditioning – Classical – Stimulus: generalization and

discrimination – Operant: Reinforcement, Shaping of behaviour, Extinction –
Reward and Punishment - Cognitive learning - Remembering and Forgetting:
General memory functions: kinds and types, STM, LTM – encoding – storing – ,
Information Processing theories - Causes of forgetting, amnesias - Improving
memory.

Block - IV

Thinking: Thinking Process – Speech- Language and thinking – Concept

formation - Problem solving - Decision making - Creative thinking – Motivation:
Needs and drives - Biological motives, Social motives - Theories of motivation -
Aggression as a motive.

Block - V

Intelligence: Nature and Definitions - Theories of intelligence - Tests of

intelligence – IQ classification - Personality: Definitions - nature and determinants
of Personality - Theories - Personality Assessment - Emotion and Stress:
Biological basis of emotion - Theories of emotion - Sources of stress – GAS -
Causes and management of stress.

References :

1. Psychology, Neil. R Carlson 2nd edn Allyn & Bacon Inc Boston 1987.
2. Introduction to Psychology, Arnof Witting, Mc Graw Hill 1977.
3. Contemporary Psychology and Effective Behaviour, James C Coleman IV
Edn, Scott Foresman & Co.
4. Stress management, Jonathan C Smith, Springer Pub co 2002.

2
 Paper- II

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY (MCP 12)

Block – I

Nature and meaning of Development - Goals of Development - Significant

facts about Development and Stages - The Prenatal Period - Characteristics of
Prenatal Period - Importance of conception - Hazards during prenatal period -
Genetic disorders.

Block - II

Infancy and Babyhood. Characteristics -Hazards of infancy-

Developmental tasks of babyhood- Physiological functions: Muscle control,
Speech development. Emotional expressions – Development in socialization -
Hazards of baby hood – Childhood - Early and Late Childhood - Characteristics –
Skills - Speech improvement – Play - Common interests - Sex role typing -
Family relationships - Personality development - Hazards.

Block - III

Exceptional Children. Definition - Gifted children - Mentally retarded -

Backward children - Pervasive psychological disorders: Autism, Dyslexia, ADHD.
Learning disabilities – Puberty – Characteristics - Criteria and causes of puberty -
Body changes - effects of changes - Sources of concern - Unhappiness at
puberty - Hazards of puberty.

Block - IV

Adolescence: Characteristics, Physical changes, Emotionality, Interests -

Sex interests and sex behaviour during adolescence - Family relationships -
Personality changes - Happiness and hazards. Adulthood: Characteristics.
Developmental tasks - Vocational selection and adjustments - Marital
adjustments - Adjustment to parenthood - Criteria for successful marital
adjustment - Marital problems and interventions.

3
Block - V

Middle age - Characteristics of middle age - Developmental tasks - Social

and vocational adjustments - Adjustment to changes life patterns - Relationship
with in-laws -Old age – Characteristics - Physical changes - Mental and
Behavioural disorders - Successful aging. Social issues - Relationship in late life
- Changing social systems -Health related issues - Dementia and other cognitive
disorders - Approaches to successful aging - Attitudes towards death - Old age
homes.

References

1. Developmental Psychology. A life Span approach 6th Edn. Elizabeth

B.Hurlock, Tata McGraw Hill 1990.
2. Developmental Psychopathology. Weiner Charles.MC Graw Hill 1994.
3. Counselling and Life Span Development. Thomas Murray Sage Pub 1990.
4. Advanced Educational Psychology S K Mangal 2nd Edn Prentice Hall of
India 2002.
5. Autism: Diagnosis and after Mythily Chari IRIS 2004.

4
 Paper- III

PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND MENTAL HEALTH (MCP 13)

Block – I

Psychopathology: Historical views, Causal factors and view points-

concept of abnormality - Classification of mental disorders - Disorders in infancy,
Childhood, Adolescence – Delirium - Anxiety and panic disorders.

Block – II

Mood disorders and suicide, Somatoform and dissociative disorders,

Personality disorders, Substance related disorders. Manic Depressive Psychosis
- Schizophrenia and Delusional disorders- Different types - Symptomatology and
Treatment.

Block – III

Organic Disorders: Brain disorders and other cognitive impairments -

Eating and Sleep disorders - Dementia - Sexual and Gender Identity disorders –
adjustment disorders – Problems related to abuse and neglect- Psycho – somatic
disorders.

Block – IV

Diagnostic Methods: Differential diagnosis – Types of tests - Inventories,

Projective tests - Clinical Assessment: The information, DXPLAIN, clinical audit -
various types of assessment, rapport, physical assessment, Neurological
examination, Neuropsychological assessment.

Block V

Mental Health: Factors that contribute to mental health - Importance of

mental health – Mental health Model: Prevention, Primary, Secondary and
tertiary - Characteristics of mentally healthy person - Ethical issues:
Contemporary issues, need for planning, challenges and legal issues.

References:

1. Developmental Psychopathology, Weiner Charles Mc Graw Hill 1994.

2. Handbook of clinical Psychology, Benjamin B Wolman Mc Graw Hill Book
Co 1965.
3. Abnormal Psychology and Modern Life 10 Edn Robert C Carson, James N
Butcher and Susan Mineka Harper Collins 1996.

5
 Paper- IV

COUNSELING AND HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY (MCP 14)

Block – I

Introduction: Definition – Development and goals- preparation -

Counselor-counselee relationship - counseling process: Steps – purposes of
counseling - Approaches to Counseling: Directive, Non-directive, Psychoanalytic,
Humanistic, Reciprocal inhibition technique, Eclectic approach.

Block – II

Theories of counseling: Psychoanalytic, Individual, Person centered,

Behavioural Theories – Reality therapy- REBT theory – Gestalt Counseling –
Transactional analysis - Expectations and Goals: Individual variations, goals
achievement of positive mental health, personal effectiveness, help change,
decision making - Counseling & related fields: Psychotherapy, Advising,
Guidance, Clinical Psychology, Hagiology.

Block – III

Special areas: Family counseling, students counseling, parental

counseling, educational, vocational and career counseling, pastoral counseling -
Counseling Interview: Communication, verbal, nonverbal, interview, techniques
of interview, relationship technique, problem identification and exploration,
sharing, transference, counter transference.

Block – IV

Health & Stress: Concepts of stress – Models of stress – Stressors –

Reactions to life stress – Coping behaviour – Task oriented reaction pattern –
effect of stress - Stress related disorders: Respiratory, Gastrointestinal,
Cardiovascular, Migraine and Genitourinary diseases – Relation to Mental health
– Psychological disorders – Stress prevention – Treatment of stress.

6
Block – V

Pain and its management: Definition - Physiology of pain – Gate theory of

pain – Measurement of pain – Acute Vs chronic pain – Pain control techniques -
Prevention & Health promotion – Lifestyle risk factors – Prevention Methods –
Factors affecting prevention – Barriers – Approaches – Effects of fear
communication – common sense model of illness & their effects – Behaviour
modification and cognitive approaches to prevention – Smoking – Cancer risk –
Worksite health promotion – AIDS.

References:

1. An introduction to Health Psychology, 2nd Edition Robert J.Gatchel,

Andrew Baum & David S.Krantz, Mc Graw Hill, NY,1989.
2. Text book of Rehabilitation – 2nd Edition S.Sunder, Jaypee Brothers, New
Delhi, 2002.
3. Fundamentals of Counseling, Shertzer and Stone, Houghton Miffin Co.,

7
 Paper- V

COUNSELLING TECHNIQUES AND ASSESSMENT (MCP 15)

Block - I

Professional Preparation & Training: Selection, skills, counseling as a

profession, desirable characteristics - Modern Trends: Career guidance,
Functions of counselor, values - Assessment: Physical setting, room, length of
session, group counseling, stages of counseling - Techniques: Egan’s Model,
Interviews, testing.

Block - II

Group Counseling – Definitions – Group Guidance – Theoretical

considerations – values of group Counseling - Group therapy – T & Sensitivity
groups – Group process and group dynamics – Establishment – selection –
identification – productivity and realization - termination – multicultural issues

Block - III

Other methods of assessment – Observation, rating scales – checklists –

interview schedules – other measures: anecdotal reports – Autobiography,
dairies and daily schedules – group assessment techniques: Sociometry - Ethical
and Legal guidelines - Case study preparation and report writing.

Block - IV

Introduction to Psychological Tests – Concept and evolution - Principal

characteristics of psychological tests – Purposes – Uses of Psychological tests –
Varieties of tests – Criteria of a Good Test – How to evaluate a test –
characteristics of a test. Reliability & Validity - Cautions for the use of
Psychological tests.

Block - V

Intelligence Testing –– Theories of intelligence - classification of

intelligence tests - Individual & Group tests – Performance tests – Culture fair
intelligence tests – Caution in the use of intelligence test scores - Aptitude
Testing – differential aptitude test battery – Special aptitude tests - Personality
Testing –Techniques of testing personality – Observation – Situational Test –
Interest Testing –Interest inventories and preference records.

References :

1. Counseling Psychology, S.Narayana Rao, Tata Mc Graw Hil Pub, 1981

2. Psychological Testing, Anne Anastasi.
3. Theory and Practice of Psychological Testing, by Freeman.
4. Introduction to Counseling and Guidance, Gibson & Mitchell, PHI India
Ltd.

8
 Paper VI

PRINCIPLES AND TECHNIQUES OF PSYCHOTHERAPY (MCP 21)

Block - I

Introduction to Psychotherapy – Main features – Objectives of

Psychotherapy – Therapeutic process – Effectiveness of Psychotherapy –
negative beliefs vs self attitudes

Block - II

Therapies: Psychodynamic therapy, Behaviour therapy, Cognitive

Behaviour therapy, Humanistic – Experiential therapies, drug therapies.

Block - III

Psychotherapy and Related techniques – Psychotherapy and counseling –

Psychotherapy and social case work – Psychotherapy and culture –
Psychotherapy and values and the therapist’s responsibility - Psychotherapeutic
devices – Catharsis, suggestions, persuasion, reeducation, distributive analysis
and synthesis

Block - IV

Therapeutic Skills – Preliminary considerations – the setting – Phases of

the session – Some problems – Mental Status Examination - Current issues in
Psychotherapy – Case studies in Psychotherapy - Other approaches to
Psychotherapy – Supportive therapy Psychobiology – Zen Psychology - NLP.

Block - V
Research Methods – some statistical issues – Psychological Research -
Professional and Ethical issues in Psychotherapy - Ethical issues in Practice.

References:
1. Individual Psychotherapy and the Sciences of Psychodynamics – Malan
D.H., Butter worth & Co. Ltd., London, 1979.
2. Psychology as Philosophy, Science and Art – Fox L.J., Goodyear
Publishing Inc., California, 1972.
3. Introduction of Psychotherapy – Its History and Modern Schools –
Hadfield.J.A., George Allen and Unwin Ltd., London, 1970.
4. Clinical Practice of Psychology – Walker .C.E., Pergamon Press, New
York, 1981.
5. Modern Clinical Psychology – Sheldon J.K., Basic Books Inc. Publishers,
New York, 1976.

9
 Paper VII
BEHAVIOR THERAPIES (MCP 22)
Block - I
Introduction to Behaviorism – Historical Overview– Major theories and
experiments – Assumptions – Effects of Behavior Therapy - Some Basic Aspect
of Behavior – Behaviorism – Modalities of Behavior – Skilled vs Performance
deficits.
Block - II
Classical Conditioning – elements – Therapies by classical conditioning –
Application of classical conditioning in treatment – systematic desensitization –
jacobsons relaxation – imaginal flooding Therapies – implosive therapy –
aversion therapy - Assertive Training – Method of A.T. and procedures – theory
of assertive training - Assertive Training in groups.
Block - III
Aversive Therapy – Procedures of Aversive control – use of drugs -
Phobia – Treatment of Phobias - Token economy management procedures –
elements in token economy – use of Token Economy with children – steps
involved.
Block – IV
Extinction Procedures – extinction of defensive behaviour – Negative
Practice – Operant conditioning: components, principles and contexts- schedules
of reinforcements – punishment – obesity management – obesity and self control
Block – V
Modeling Procedures-Social Learning Theory-Cognitive factors in Social
learning - Effects of Modeling on behaviour- Educational implications-in mass
media-Behavioural Assessment - Treating mental illness - Exposure and
Response prevention- Rational Emotive Therapy- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

References:
1. Behavior Therapy and Beyond – Lazarus A.A., McGraw Hill, New York,
1971.
2. Behavior Modification – Principle, Issues and Application – Kazdin A.E.
and Mahoney (2nd Edn.) Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 1981.
3. Behavior Therapy – Yates A.J., John Willey & Sons Ins., 1970.
4. The Practice of Behavior Therapy – Wolpe .J., Pregaman Press Inc., New
York, 1969.

10
 Paper VIII

PSYCHOTHERAPIES (MCP 23)

Block - I

The Psychoanalysis Psychotherapy – Techniques – New Developments in

Psychoanalysis - Gestalt Psychotherapy – Basic concepts – Techniques –
Evaluation.

Block - II

Existential Therapy – Background – Development – Basic Concepts –

Objectives – Logo therapy – concepts – Nature and procedures – Techniques –
Evaluation - Client Centered Therapy – Basic concepts – Process conditions that
bring about psychological change – Outcomes – Evaluation of client centered
therapy.

Block – III

Cognitive Therapy, Nature of automatic talk – Treatment through cognitive

methods – Thought stopping and Psychology of attribution - Transactional
Analysis – Types of Ego states and types of Transactions – Strokes and Script
writing.

Block – IV

Group Therapy and Family Therapy, General Principles of group therapy.

Major variants of group Psychotherapy - nature and effectiveness of family
therapy - Eastern Psychotherapies – Abidhamma Therapy – Yoga
Psychotherapy – procedures and techniques – Applications.

Block – V

Rational Emotive Therapy – Child Psychoanalysis and Therapy - Current

trends in Psychoanalytic Research

References:
1. Fundamental concepts in Clinical Psychology – Schaffer G.W. and
Lazarus R.S., McGraw – Hill, 1966.
2. Transactional Analysis in Psychotherapy – Berne Eric, Grove Press, N.Y.
1961.
3. A New Guide to Rational Living – Ellis A., Hollywood, Califonia, Wilshire,
1975.
4. Gestalt Therapy Primer – Stephenson F.
5. Introductory Readings in Gestalt therapy – Sprinfield III, Charles C.
Thomas, 1975.
6. Group Therapy – A Behavioral Approach – Rose S.D., Prentice – Hall,
1977.

11
 Paper IX

CLINICAL ASSESSMENT (MCP 24)

Block - I
Introduction to Psychological Tests – Principal characteristics of
psychological tests – Uses of Psychological tests – Varieties of tests – Major
Classifications of Psychological tests.

Block - II

Selection and Administration of Tests – Testing condition and procedures

– Scoring, Reporting and recording – Interpretation of test scores – Cautions for
the use of Psychological tests - Intelligence Testing – Different views of
Intelligence – distribution of intelligence - Individual tests of intelligence – Group
tests – Performance tests – Culture fair intelligence tests.

Block - III

Personality Testing – Concept – Purpose – Difficulties in personality

testing – Techniques of testing personality – Interview – Observation – Self
ratings and personality Inventories – Rating scales – Situational Test – Anecdotal
records – autobiography – the Daily dairy - Projective techniques – Inkblot tests –
TAT – CAT sentence completion tests.

Block - iv

Aptitude Testing – Concept - Purpose – types – general aptitude test

battery – differential aptitude test battery – Special aptitude tests – Mechanical –
clerical – Medical teaching – Arts Aptitude – Musical Aptitude – Aptitude Tests.

Block - V
Interest Testing – Concept – Purposes – Types – Interest Factors – Major
interests – Major interests and important occupations – interest inventories and
preference records - Attitude Testing – Purposes – Measurement of attitudes –
Techniques of measuring – some Attitude Scales - - Diagnostic methods in
childhood disorders.

References:

1. Principles of Psychological Testing – Nunnally J.C.

2. Psychological and Educational Measurement – Brown
3. Psychological Testing – Freeman F.S., Oxford & IBH Publishign Co. Pvt
Ltd.,
4. Diagnostic Psychological Testing – Rapaport D.G., Vol. 1 and 2 Year
Book Publishers, Latest Ed.
5. Fundamental concepts of Clinical Psychology – Schaffer G.W. and
Lazarus R.S., Mcgraw Hill, 1966.
6. Group therapy – A Behavioral approach – Rose S.D. Prentice Hall, 1977.

12
 Paper X

PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS FOR ASSESSMENT (MCP 25)

INTELLIGENCE
Bhatia’s Battery of Performance Test
WAIS/ WISC
Seguin Form Board Test
Draw a man Test
Raven’s Progressive Matrices , (Regular &Advanced)
Raven’s Colour Progressive matrices for children

APTITUDE & INTEREST INVENTORIES

Differential aptitude Test (DAT)
Thurstone Interest Schedule
Vocational Interest Blank –Strong’s
Minnesota Rate of Manipulation Test
Study Habits and Attitude Inventory (SHAI)

PERSONALITY TESTS
Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI)
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)
16 Personality Factor Test (16PF)
Taylor’s Manifest Anxiety scale
Bell’s adjustment Inventory

Clinical Tests
Depression scale
Mental Health Inventory
Stress Questionnaire
Neurological Inventory
Neuropsychological Battery of tests
Weschler Memory scale
PGI Memory Scale
Rotters Problem Check list
Mukerjees Sentence completion Test

Clinical Tests
Bender Gestalt Test
Binet-Kamath test
TAT
Rorschach Ink Blot Test
Emotional Intelligence Scale
Assertiveness Scale Communication / Listening skills
Cornel medical index

13