MFTH 5433 Social Justice and Diversity in Professional Practice    3 Credits

Students examine professional practice with individuals, couples, and families from diverse ethnic, cultural, racial, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds with a focus on issues of diversity, social justice, power, privilege, and underserved communities, in accordance with Key Element IV-B and Foundational Curriculum Area (FCA) 3 of the accreditation standards set forth by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). The course addresses the issues of gender role stereotyping and changing sex roles, and integrates professional contributions from the professional literature. Previously FT 0433.

MFTH 5447 Human Development Across the Family Lifecycle    3 Credits

This course explores the processes of individual and family development from childhood through old age. Presenting theoretical perspectives for studying child, adult, and family development, the course examines the modifications of family structures over time and psycho-social development within family systems and cultural contexts. Previously FT 0447.

MFTH 5465 Introduction to Substance Abuse and Addictions    3 Credits

Candidates explore basic information about the history and current use/abuse of various drugs and alcohol. Topics include addiction, the 12-step programs, physiological effects, FAS, COAs, and family systems as well as culturally relevant prevention, intervention, and treatment strategies for individuals and families. Previously FT 0465.

MFTH 5470 Queer and Trans Mental Health    3 Credits

This class is designed to expand candidates' multicultural competence when working with sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals, couples, and families in educational, mental health, and healthcare settings. This course adopts an intersectional, critical, and social justice perspective by interrogating heterosexism, homophobia, transphobia, power, privilege, and oppression. Using the minority stress model, candidates will examine health disparities and critical presenting concerns, such as coming out, depression, suicide, and gender transition. Candidates will engage in critical self-reflection of their own multicultural identities and the influence of these on the therapeutic process or the educational setting. Previously FT 0470.

MFTH 5471 Sexual and Gender Minority Mental Health Treatment    2 Credits

Prerequisite: MFTH 5470.

This course is designed to follow MFTH 5470 and expand candidates' multicultural competence when working with sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals, couples, and families in educational, mental health, and healthcare settings. This course adopts an intersectional, relational, and family life cycle perspective. Topics include barriers to accessing treatment, effective approaches to treatment, and mental health prevention and promotion. Candidates will integrate professional practice standards, research evidence, healing and liberation practices, and critical reflection of their own multicultural identities to articulate an affirmative approach to treating SGM individuals, couples, and families. Previously FT 0471.

MFTH 5480 Transgender and Gender Expansive Affirming Care    1.5 Credits

Prerequisite: MFTH 5470.

This course is designed to expand candidates' understanding of transgender and gender expansive youth, adults, and their families in educational, mental health, and healthcare settings. This course adopts an intersectional, relational, and family life cycle perspective. Topics include the unique challenges faced by transgender and gender expansive individuals, couples, and families, gender identity development, and letters of support for medical gender transition. Candidates will integrate professional practice standards, research evidence, and critical reflection of their own social identities to articulate an affirmative approach to treating transgender and gender expansive individuals and their families.

MFTH 5481 Conversations with Queer and Trans Youth    1.5 Credits

Prerequisite: MFTH 5470.

This course is designed to expand candidates' understanding of queer and trans youth, their families, and their communities through a critical, intersection, and queer lens. In particular, we will consider the implications for family work with young people whose identities are relationally and discursively constructed and situated. Candidates will focus on cultivating a praxis of self-reflexivity and accountability for power relations. Candidates will integrate queer theory, research evidence, and critical reflection of their own multicultural identities to articulate an affirmative approach to treating sexual minority youth and their families.

MFTH 5525 Divorce, Single Parenting, and Blended Families    3 Credits

This course considers the implications of divorce, single parenting, recoupling, and step-parenting for families experiencing these transitions and for society at large. Specific topics include boundary issues during transition, legal aspects of divorce, custody decisions, school issues for children of divorce, and the complexities of single-parenting and blending families, with an emphasis on recent research regarding divorce and its aftermath. Previously FT 0525.

MFTH 5550 Introduction to Marriage and Family Therapy    3 Credits

This course provides an overview of the historical development of the field of family therapy, acquainting candidates with the models developed by Minuchin, Haley, Madanes, Satir, Bowen, Whitaker, and others. The course focuses on distinguishing between the systemic approaches in terms of assessment, conceptualization, diagnosis, treatment, and theoretical foundations, and explores contemporary directions of the field. Previously FT 0550.

MFTH 5598 Tevera Site Placement Process    0 Credits

This zero-credit course is designed for students as a mechanism for payment of MFTH Technology Fee associated with the Tevera site placement platform used for the clinical training process.

MFTH 5999G Queer and Trans Mental Health Capstone    3 Credits

Prerequisite: MFTH TBD.

In this course, candidates apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout the certificate program to create and implement a project in their place of employment, other sponsoring organization, or community. The project is developed with a faculty mentor and community partner to directly impact the mental health of SGM individuals, couples, or families. Candidates take this course after completing all other coursework required for the Certificate in Sexual and Gender Minority Mental Health. Previously FT 0499.

MFTH 6425 Private Practice and Small Business Management    3 Credits

This course will provide an overview of small business and private practice management. Students will become acquainted with the technical and personal elements necessary to create and sustain a private practice. Attention will be focused on narrowing student focus in order to develop a feasible strategy for creating, implementing, and maintaining small business goals. Previously FT 0425.

MFTH 6450 Techniques of Narrative and Solution-Focused Therapy    3 Credits

Prerequisite: MFTH 6553.

This course will provide an overview of two postmodern and strengths-based therapeutic theories, concepts and applications. The student will become acquainted with the theories and concepts developed by White, Epston, Anderson, Freedman, Combs, de Shazer, Berg, and others. Attention will be focused on distinguishing between the postmodern approaches in terms of assessment, conceptualization, treatment and theoretical foundations. Previously FT 0450.

MFTH 6552 Intervention in Structural and Strategic Family Therapy    3 Credits

Prerequisite: MFTH 5550.

This course focuses on the models of Minuchin, Haley, Madanes, and MRI, with an emphasis on developing a substantive understanding of diagnosis, assessment, and intervention design. The course addresses the range of techniques associated with each orientation, indications and contra-indications for using specific techniques, rationale development for intervention, and the role of the therapist. Previously FT 0552.

MFTH 6553 Family Therapy Pre-Practicum    3 Credits

Prerequisites: MFTH 5550, MFTH 6552.

Taken with the approval of the clinical director, this course provides simulated experiences in the practice of family therapy and focuses on developing skills in joining and forming a therapeutic relationship, designing and implementing interventions, and the use of self at the various stages of therapy. The course emphasizes the structural, strategic, and systemic family therapy models and addresses culturally sensitive practice, management, and treatment of cases of suicide, child abuse, domestic violence, and incest. Successful completion of this course and the requirements determines readiness for clinical practice. Candidates must have a signed clinical training agreement on file before registration. Previously FT 0553.

MFTH 6555 Foundations of Marital and Family Therapy    3 Credits

This course exposes candidates to the theories upon which the models of family therapy are based, exploring the critical epistemological issues in family therapy theory. Furthermore, it helps candidates think about therapy theoretically applying systems theory to an understanding of the variety of contexts in which marriage and family therapists work, including mental health systems, medical systems, etc. The course prepares candidates to understand and contribute to current thinking in the field in regard to theory and practice. Topics include general systems theory, cybernetics, communication theory, constructivism, and current developments in epistemology. Previously FT 0555.

MFTH 6556 Research in Marriage and Family Therapy    3 Credits

This course covers the methodology, design, and statistical procedures for research in marriage and family therapy. The course addresses selecting appropriate experimental designs, data analysis and understanding the inferential potential of statistical procedures, and evaluating published research, including efficacy and outcome studies in marriage and family therapy. The course content includes quantitative and qualitative research in the field with recognition of cultural factors in research design and methodology. Previously FT 0556.

MFTH 6561 Advanced Interventions in Family Therapy    3 Credits

Prerequisite: MFTH 6951.

This course explores in depth the theory and techniques of Bowen Family Systems Theory. It focuses on developing a substantive understanding of the theoretical assumptions and clinical applications of Bowen theory and emphasizes self-of-therapist processes as central to effective practice of Bowen therapy. Previously FT 0561.

MFTH 6565 Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Family Therapy    3 Credits

Prerequisite: MFTH 5550.

This course examines issues specific to the clinical practice and profession of marriage and family therapy. Areas of study include ethical decision-making and the code of ethics; professional socialization and the role of professional organizations; licensure and certification; legal responsibilities and liabilities of clinical practice; research, family law, confidentiality issues, AAMFT Code of Ethics, inter-professional cooperation, and mental health care delivery systems. Previously FT 0565.

MFTH 6566 Substance Abuse and the Family    3 Credits

Prerequisite: MFTH 5465.

This course brings together substance abuse studies and family systems approaches. Students are presented with a knowledge base of skills and methods for assessing and treating family systems. The course identifies the addictive and inter-generational patterns within families. Students are encouraged to reflect upon the theoretical frameworks to understand and create interventions for alcoholic and substance-abusing family systems. Relational clinical models including developmental, systemic, solution-focused, and narrative approaches are reviewed and evaluated. The course examines the history and methods of treatment models. Issues of social justice are emphasized in a review of socio-cultural and social policy that influence family behaviors and treatment. Previously FT 0566.

MFTH 6567 Couples Therapy    3 Credits

Prerequisite: MFTH 6553.

This course examines couple relationships including issues of intimacy and sexuality throughout the lifespan. The focus is on understanding, conceptualizing, and treating couple relationships across sexual orientations and partnership types. The course addresses assessment and intervention in critical cases as well as treatment of common presenting problems such as infertility, child-rearing conflict, infidelity, domestic violence, and chronic health issues. The course also covers sexual dysfunction as it occurs in each phase of the couple relationship. Students learn methods for biopsychosocial assessment and diagnosis and develop ethically informed treatment formulations using systemic models of therapy. Previously FT 0567.

MFTH 6569 Assessment Techniques in Marriage and Family Therapy    3 Credits

This advanced family therapy course addresses clinical diagnosis and assessment in the treatment process. Topics include major family therapy assessment methods and instruments, familiarity with the DSM V, pharmacological treatments, and recognition and critical assessment of cultural factors. Previously FT 0569.

MFTH 6570 School-Based Practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy    3 Credits

This course is a requirement in the Area of Specialization in School Marriage and Family Therapy and provides an opportunity for candidates to apply theory to practice in the context of the public school system. The practicum is an advanced level clinical experience that is specifically designed to meet the requirements established by the Connecticut State Board of Education for certification in School Marriage and Family Therapy. Enrollment by permission only. Previously FT 0570.

MFTH 6900 Special Topics (Shell)    1-3 Credits

This course explores advanced topics in the field of family therapy. Topics may vary each semester and are determined by the marriage and family therapy faculty as a reflection of pertinent themes of interest in the field. Previously FT 0568.

MFTH 6951 Practicum in Family Therapy I    3 Credits

Prerequisites: MFTH 5433, MFTH 6553, MFTH 6565.

This course provides clinical experience working with families and meets the standards for training established by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and the Connecticut Department of Health and Addiction Services. Candidates provide five hours per week of service in the Koslow Center plus five to 10 hours per week of service in a community agency offering family therapy treatment under supervision. Previously FT 0559.

MFTH 6952 Practicum in Family Therapy II    3 Credits

Prerequisite: MFTH 6951.

This course is a continuation of MFTH 6951. Previously FT 0560.

MFTH 6971 Thesis    3 Credits

Prerequisite: MFTH 6556.

This elective seminar is for candidates wishing to conduct original research in the field of family therapy or family science. The thesis is expected to make a scholarly contribution to the field. Credit for this course is contingent upon approval of the completed thesis. Prior to beginning this course, candidates must consult with their advisor and complete the prerequisite steps, including the preparation and acceptance of a thesis proposal. Previously FT 0598.

MFTH 6981 Internship in Family Therapy I    3 Credits

Prerequisite: MFTH 6952.

During internship candidates provide 10 to 15 hours of clinical services at an off-campus internship site. They receive weekly individual and group supervision by an approved site supervisor and weekly group supervision by University faculty. Previously FT 0580.

MFTH 6982 Internship in Family Therapy II    3 Credits

Prerequisite: MFTH 6981.

This course is a continuation of MFTH 6981. Candidates must complete all clinical and supervisory hours by the close of the grading period to be eligible for graduation. Previously FT 0581.

MFTH 6983 Continuing Internship in Family Therapy    1 Credit

Prerequisite: MFTH 6981.

This course is a continuation of MFTH 6981. Candidates must complete all clinical and supervisory hours by the close of the grading period to be eligible for graduation. Previously FT 0582.

MFTH 6990 Independent Study    1-6 Credits

Candidates undertake individual projects in consultation with a faculty member based on proposals submitted one semester in advance of course registration. Previously FT 0595.

MFTH 6999F Comprehensive Exam in Family Studies    0 Credits

The family studies comprehensive exam is a standardized exam in which the candidate answers questions that require them to demonstrate understanding and mastery of terms reflecting the content they have learned throughout the program. It is highly recommended that candidates complete their comprehensive exam during the semester prior to the one in which they plan to graduate. Previously FT 0098.

MFTH 6999T Comprehensive Exam in Marriage and Family Therapy    0 Credits

The marriage and family therapy comprehensive exam is a standardized exam in which the candidate answers questions that require them to demonstrate understanding and mastery of terms reflecting the content they have learned throughout the program. It is highly recommended that candidates complete their comprehensive exam during the semester prior to the one in which they plan to graduate. Previously FT 0099.