Addresses the worldwide experience of suffering through a biblically-informed perspective for the sake of the Church’s mission to a hurting world. Topics addressed in this course will include pastoral care, nursing, healthcare, and healing (both spiritual and physical) as they pertain to disease and disability. Students will be assessed on the readings and lectures through online discussion, case-studies, and service projects.

Through reading, discussion, and experience students gain understanding of a wide range of creative arts modalities and therapeutic approaches. Appropriateness of application of modalities and methods for various populations is discussed. Art (drawing, painting, sculpting), poetry, journaling, storytelling, dance/movement, sand play, music (instruments and singing) are explored and woven intermodally with drama. Students will also research the various creative arts professional organizations that exist and determine the qualifications for becoming certified, if desired.

Provides an introduction to counseling theories and principles used by professional counselors; basic counseling skills used by professional and non-professional counselors; and theories and approaches used by Christian counselors. Compares and contrasts traditional “talk” counseling with creative arts approaches.

Provides an understanding of the relationship between body, mind and spirit and how this connection can provide tools for understanding the intersubjective therapeutic process in creative arts therapies. Introduces students to Jung’s theory of the collective unconscious. Provides students with a foundational understanding of group theory and practice. It examines concepts such as the stages of group development, group member roles, the therapist’s role, and leadership styles as well as the types of groups and their differing group goals, objectives, and techniques.

Explores cultural competence as a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together and are translated into specific standards, policies, practices, and attitudes used in appropriate cultural settings to increase the quality of ministry. Examines the effectiveness of operating in different cultural contexts beyond knowledge, sensitivity, and awareness through the use of creative arts therapies.

Provides an introduction to family systems theory. Provides students with knowledge and skills to work from a family systems perspective with adults, adolescents and children in a wide variety of settings that include individuals, couples, several members of a family, peer groups, work associates, schools, classrooms, organizations, and churches. Assessment and intervention from a creative arts perspective are examined within this context.

Students gain a working knowledge of the Code of Ethics for various creative arts associations, including the North American Drama Therapy Association, the American Musical Therapy Association, and the American Art Therapy Association, as well as general standards for ethical practices in the psychotherapy and counseling fields. Key ethical or legal issues encountered drawn from readings are examined.