Teaching Family Systems Theory Through Service‐Learning

Abstract

The authors present a rationale for incorporating service-learning projects into courses that teach family systems theory. A model program is presented to provide an example of the objectives, practical considerations, and student responses to such a project. Recommendations for counselor educators are made based on experience with the model program and student feedback.

Prepracticum Service‐Learning in Counselor Education: A Qualitative Case Study

“…We selected a single-case design because such studies tend to encourage adherence to the process of exploring and understanding the phenomenon under study rather than attempting to identify and account for differences between cases (Maxwell, 2004). Outside of Arman and Scherer (2002) and Murray et al (2006), we found that the research literature on PPSL in counselor education lacks a qualitative investigation of the PPSL.…”

“…A review of the counselor education literature indicated that service-learning in counselor preparation is generally conducted before practicum training. This review revealed several examples of prepracticum service-learning (PPSL) in counselor education: providing group play therapy at a community center (Baggerly, 2006), coordinating a scavenger hunt for families of children who have a physical disability (Murray, Lampinen, & Kelley-Soderholm, 2006), and facilitating psychoeducational groups on diversity with high school students (Nikels, Mims, & Mims, 2007).…”

The Professional Identity of School Counselors

“…Examples include having students facilitate psychoeducational groups discussing diversity issues within a high school setting (Nikels, Mims, & Mims, 2007), having counseling students observe and/or run group play therapy at a community center (Baggerly, 2006), or having counseling students organize and coordinate a scavenger hunt designed specifically for children who have physical disabilities (Murray, Lampinen, & Kelley-Soderholm, 2006). These types of learning experiences can add a dimension to classroom learning and provide counseling students with opportunities to engage more deeply in the course content.…”

Untitled

“…Service-learning experiences can vary across programs. Examples include having students facilitate psychoeducational groups discussing diversity issues within a high school setting (Nikels, Mims, & Mims, 2007), having counseling students observe and/or run group play therapy at a community center (Baggerly, 2006), or having counseling students organize and coordinate a scavenger hunt designed specifically for children who have physical disabilities (Murray, Lampinen, & Kelley-Soderholm, 2006). These types of learning experiences can add a dimension to classroom learning and provide counseling students with opportunities to engage more deeply in the course content.…”