ADC301: Counseling in Urban & Multicultural Environments

Course Description

This course examines the role and theory of lay counseling as it applies to urban ministry settings. The coursework guides the learner into increased awareness, knowledge, and skill in interacting with multicultural and diverse populations. Counselor attributes, cultural sensitivity, and the concept of contextualized counseling will be explored. This course also focuses on client assessment, and approaches to addressing problems common to distressed urban dwellers seeking counseling.

Course Objectives

After completing this course, you will be able to:

1. Summarize the historical, philosophical, and theological foundations of Christian movements serving multicultural and urban communities.
2. Demonstrate effective use of spiritual care practices such as counseling, evangelism, discipleship, and preaching in diverse urban contexts. 
3. Evaluate Christian counseling approaches to complex issues including trauma, addiction, single parenting, marital conflict, and crisis pregnancies using biblical principles and culturally sensitive strategies.
4. Apply principles from urban ministry programs such as addiction recovery, community development, services to the homeless, youth and family support, and women’s ministries in real-world counseling scenarios. 
5. Reflect on personal and professional growth as a Christian counselor by integrating trauma-informed care, cultural intelligence, and biblical principles in ministry in urban and multicultural environments.

Syllabus

Course Materials & Tuition