Category Archives: Required Courses

Counseling 10: Preparing for Marriage

Coun 10: Preparing for Marriage   Hani Ashamalla MD Course Description: The course will offer discussion about how to prepare couples for marriage. It will allow the lay counselors to help couples identify their differences, weaknesses and strengths. Course Objectives: Differences between man and woman Basics of Christian marriage How to identify deal breakers during […]

Counseling 22: Practicum III

Instructor Sofie Azmy, Psy.D., HSPP, HSPP, MBA Course Prerequisites Students who wish to join this course can only be qualified after successful completion of Practicum I & II classes. Course Objectives Practicum III is the advanced continuation of Practicum I and Practicum II courses. The purpose of the practicum course is to facilitate each student’s […]

Counseling 21: Practicum II

Instructor: Sallie Boulos-Sophy, Ph.D., HSPP COURSE DESCRIPTION Practicum II is designed to develop students’ counseling skills beyond the level required in Practicum I. The primary emphasis is on performing counseling and related activities as a lay helper. Students will learn and practice a variety of counseling strategies in this course and will be asked to […]

Counseling 20: Practicum I

Instructor: Mary Michail, MA, LPC, NCC Required Text: Lauren Littauer Briggs The Art of Helping: What to say and do when someone is hurting.  (ISBN-10: 061547568X,      ISBN-13: 978-0615475684) Course Prerequisites Students who wish to join this course can only be qualified after successful completion of Introduction to Practicum class. Course Description This course focuses […]

Counseling 19: Introduction to Practicum

Instructors: Fr. Makary Ibrahim, MD E-mail: agapemercy@gmail.com   Phone: 210-730-3782 Course Objectives: The student will gain a general understanding of: Healthy relationships The helping relationship The importance of values in helping Basic communication skills Attending, listening and understanding Basic empathy The art of probing and summarizing Helping clients tell their stories Emergencies: Suicide & Homicide: how […]

Counseling 18: Self Development

Instructor: Sarwat Gad, MD Course Description: The course will offer discussions on the development of self esteem with particular emphasis on cognition and belief systems. The relationship between thoughts, feelings and behavior will be addressed. Various communication skills and behavior strategies will be introduced to assist in enhancing self esteem and coping skills. Course Objectives: […]

Counseling 17: Ethics & Legal Issues

Instructor: Fr. Makary Ibrahim, M.D E-mail:  agapemercy@gmail.com, Phone: 210-730-3782 Course Description: This course educates what constitutes sound, ethical conduct to do the right thing with good intentions in counseling. It covers the moral principles of the helping lay counselors. It addresses the knowledge of ethical, legal and professional standards. It equips the student with the skills […]

Counseling 16: Crisis and Trauma Counseling

Instructor: Sahar Awad, M.D. Course Description: This course is designed to help the enrollees to learn how to handle daily unwelcome surprises and life changing events. Will equip the person with step by step actions to use in the face of the serious life challenges. When people are faced with various live events, it causes one […]

Counseling 13: Domestic Violence and Anger Management

Instructor: Maggie Bishay, PsyD National Domestic Violence hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) Course Description: Gain a better understanding of the patterns of behavior of survivor and abusers Learn to communicate with a survivor Grow in verbiage Understand the types of abuse Recognize the warning signs Provide resources and strategies to seek and receiving help Educate to break the […]

Counseling 11: Marriage & Family Counseling

Instructor: Mervet Nashed Messiha, MD. Board Certified Masters Christian Life Coaching Board Certified Advanced Diploma Christian Family and Marriage Counseling Board Certified Mental Health Coach Ophthalmologist Course Objectives: Equipping lay counselors as the first defense line confronting family members in trouble to well address and handle their troubles with safety and wisdom. Learning about when […]

Counseling 10: Preparing for Marriage

 Instructor: Hani Ashamalla, MD Course Description:   Course Objectives:   Required Text: On-Site Lesson Schedule: Readings Prior to Arrival: The Instructor will give an overview of the course and will emphasize the important points. Grading Scale: Test Schedule Percentage of Course Grade A= 90-100 B = 80-89 Below 80 will get certificate of attendance Course Requirements: […]

Counseling 09: Homosexuality

Instructor: Fr Boutros Samy Email:  Course Description:  1- Introduction and definition of Homosexuality (Same Sex Attraction) 2- Causes of Same Sex Attraction 3- Healing Process & the Importance of Confession 4- How to be protective in our churches and families Course Objective: Required Text: 1- Reparative Therapy of Male Homosexuality: A New Clinical Approach by […]

Counseling 08: Human Sexuality

Instructor: Mrs. Marguerite Rizk, M.A., Margo Rizk, M.A., Diploma, B.S., AACC. Individual; Marriage and Family Therapy E-mail: rizkmargo@gmail.com Phone: 412-793-1868 Course Description: An analysis of the anatomical, psychological, cultural, and religious aspects of a wide range of topics in the area of human sexuality. Emphasis is on the development of an understanding and appreciation of the role of […]

Counseling 07: Addiction

nstructors:  Adel H Andraws, MA, LMHCA  Course Description:This course provides an overview of the problem of addiction and how servants in the church can support individuals who suffer from this problem as well as their families. Required Text: Fisher, G.L. & Harrison, T.C. (2009) Substance Abuse: Information for School Counselors, Social Workers, Therapists, and Counselors […]

Counseling 6: Abnormal Psychology – DSM-V

Instructor: Ihab Istafanous, M.D  Psychiatrist    COURSE   DESCRIPTION 1-STUDY THE DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA OF DSM-1V OF PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS, 2-DEVELOP THE ABILITY  FOR THE DIFFERENTIAL  DIAGNOSIS . THE STUDENTS WILL  BE PROVIDED  BY  CLINICAL  CASES   IN WEEKLY BASIS . 3- OVERVIEW ON TREATMENT PLAN FOR EACH DISORDER, ANXIETY D/O, MOOD D/O EATING D/O, AND PERSONALITY D/O COURSE   OBJECTIVES […]

Counseling 4: Adolescents & College Development, Parenting & Counseling

Instructor: Christine E. Agaibi, M.A. (Ph.D. Candidate in Counseling Psychology) Email: cagaibi1@yahoo.com Course Description:   Course Objectives: Requested Reading: 1- The Strength Switch: How The New Science of Strength-Based Parenting Can Help Your Child and Your Teen to Flourish   By: Lea Waters ISBN-13: 978-1101983645 2- The Little Book of Child and Adolescent Development    By: Karen […]

Counseling 1: Counseling Theories & Psychotherapies

INSTRUCTOR: Sister Youanna, MD Course Description: It surveys the major concepts and practices of the contemporary therapeutic systems. The course aims to teach students to select wisely from various theories and techniques and to begin to develop a personal style of counseling. It also gives a Biblical perspective on human nature and how to integrate […]