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DMFT 5008 - Introduction to Marital and Family Therapy: Counseling Theories
and Techniques
An introduction and review of the history of marital and family therapy and the clinical
approaches of interactional therapies are included in this course. The focus is based on
basic therapeutic concepts and skills. Offered fall term.
DMFT 5009 - Theories of Marriage and Family Therapy
This course offers a comparative study of theories of marital and family therapy,
including systemic, structural, strategic, intergenerational, contextual, behavioral,
experiential therapies, and others, and provides a survey of differences in clinical
practices. Prerequisite: DMFT 5006. Offered winter term.
DMFT 5010 - Systemic Family Therapy I
The study of those systemic therapies informed by cybernetics and oriented to the social
organization of communication are included in this course. Emphasizes are placed on the
work of the Mental Research Institute and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. Prerequisites:
Core courses and co-requisite DMFT 5006. Offered fall term.
DMFT 5020 - Systemic Family Therapy II
This course centers on Narrative Therapy theory and practice. Students will extensively
explore assumptions, including distinctions between structuralist and post structuralist
thought, which underline this model and contrast with other therapeutic models. Practice
methods will focus on various maps and scaffolds which describe and organize Narrative
practices. Students will explore the application of these assumptions and practices to a
range of therapeutic problems as well as diversity and community issues. Prerequisites
include core courses and DMFT 5010. Offered winter term.
DMFT 5030 - Systemic Family Therapy III
This course acquaints students with the basic concepts of the natural systems approach
to family therapy. Emphasizes are placed on family-of-origin issues, multigenerational
systems processes, and biological/evolutionary contributions to the understanding of
human systems. Prerequisite: DMFT 5020. Offered fall term.
DMFT 5036 – Infant Mental Health
This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to the growing field of
infant mental health. Emphasis will be placed on clinical assessment, and treatment of
mental health issues among infants and their caregivers within the contexts of social,
cultural, and family systems. This course is a preparation for those who may wish to
become certified in the area of infant mental health. It will also be useful for those who
wish to practice general marriage and family therapy and gain more knowledge of the
early parenting years of the family life cycle. Offered winter term.
DMFT 5037 – Suicide Prevention and Crisis Intervention
Suicide is one of the most dangerous actions in which depressed people engage that
may, in fact, be preventable. This is true for those with suicidal ideation at all ages. This
course will help the student learn how to identify the potential for suicide and how to
respond and refer. Since suicide is often precipitated by situational crises, early
intervention techniques, particularly the identification of suicide potential, is crucial.
Suicide ideation is frequently seen in criminal defendants, especially those who make
suicide attempts when first admitted to jail or prison. Suicide-by-cop and highly
publicized intentional and random multiple shooting events will be studied to better
understand the shooter’s motivations and early identification. Effective suicide prevention
