Courses

This course will seek a broad understanding of healthy human development over the life span, as it relates to counselling and ministry, integrating theological perspectives on the nature of man, maturity, and our goals in the “curing of souls”.  The course will survey psychological theories of healthy human development including psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, interpersonal, moral, and social systems paradigms, and how culture and context interacts with each age and stage of development. A major theme will be the importance of the relational context of growth and change. We will also explore how the normal issues of different stages over the life span influence the formation and development of faith. Student assignments will include applying the general theories to specific populations and circumstances, critiquing the theories presented, considering the implications of a developmental perspective for counselling and other areas of ministry, and reflecting on the significance of developmental theories in understanding our own psychological and theological formation and maturity. A final exam will ensure mastery of material in preparation for professional examination standards.

Knowing

• To develop an integrated knowledge of human development across the lifespan, using a bio-psycho-social-spiritual lens, and recognize the important milestones, needs, and influencing factors in the different ages and stages of life (CRPO & CASC).
• To understand how these developmental issues are imbedded in the relational imperative of our human nature.
• To understand how these developmental issues interact with the development of spirituality in general and faith specifically.
• To understand the significance of spiritual, moral, social, emotional, cognitive, behavioural, sexual, gender, and biological development for the counselling process (CRPO & CASC).

Being

• To gain self-awareness as a ministering person through self-reflection and self-evaluation of one’s personal developmental journey (CASC).
• To reflect on and identify the growing edges of our own Christian maturity, and identify processes and goals for our own personal development.
• To increase empathy and acceptance in hearing others’ experiences, and openness to the experience of one’s own inner conflict and struggles.
• To practice empathic listening skills, effective responses, and appropriate support in all of our interactions and relationships.

Doing

• To better communicate in a manner appropriate to a client’s developmental level and socio-cultural identity (CRPO & CASC).
• To assess and understand the client’s spiritual, moral, social, emotional, cognitive, behavioural, sexual, gender, and biological development and to integrate this assessment within the counselling or treatment process (implied within CRPO competencies).
• To reflect on the use of developmental perspectives to understand and assess faith formation, process, structure and content, and formulate a holistic conceptualization of Christian maturity (CASC).
• To read and critically evaluate the implications of theoretical and research articles on human development that are pertinent to one’s specific area of practice or ministry (CASC & CRPO).
• To apply course materials and independent research to assessing and discussing client case examples (CRPO).
• To apply developmental perspectives in designing ministry strategies in one’s area of ministry practice.