January 2011

Master of Arts in Counseling

The Master of Arts in Counseling program at Geneva College is making an impact on the counseling profession at the state and national levels. This fall, faculty and students from the college had a considerable presence at both the Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) east regional conference and the Pennsylvania Counseling Association (PCA) state conference. In the spring, Geneva will be represented at the American Counseling Association (ACA) national conference in New Orleans, La.

Participation in these events demonstrates that learning at Geneva goes beyond lectures and tests. The counseling students are contributing to their profession through conducting research studies, analyzing results and preparing presentations. Our programs offer the opportunity for students to realize their full potential, becoming leaders in counseling education thought and formation.

At the 2010 CAPS conference, “Christian Approaches to Evidence-based Treatment,” Geneva counseling graduate student Jennifer Stolzfus presented a poster session titled “Hardiness and Optimism as Mediators of the Relationship Between Religiosity and Well-being.” She is currently pursuing publication of her research through an independent study at Geneva.

“I heard of CAPS through the counseling professors who have attended for several years,” said Jennifer. “The conference is very research oriented, striving to bridge Christianity and the behavioral sciences.”

At the 43^rd Annual PCA Conference, “Counseling in a Multicultural World,” Geneva professor of psychology Dr. Joseph Peters and counseling graduate student Eric Weaver made a presentation on the use of meditative/relaxation procedures in counseling. According to Dr. Peters, “These procedures have been shown to be highly effective in addressing a wide variety of clinical problems.”

In addition, Dr. Peters presented on ethical dilemmas in supervision and participated in a panel discussion addressing counselor role definition, accreditation issues and funding matters at the conference.

Graduate student Deborah Hennig and associate professor of counseling Dr. James Matta, Sr. also attended the PCA conference, conducting the educational workshop “Bridging the Gap: Identifying Effective Treatment Intervention for Adolescents and Young Adults Identified with Comorbid Alcohol Use Disorder and Major Depression.” The workshop is based on the research findings of a treatment intervention study that was conducted at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic over the past decade and was funded by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

“Participation in these conferences is very much an honor for our students and faculty,” says Program Director Dr. Carol Luce. “The students receive professional involvement and make important contacts, the program receives national recognition which helps with accreditation and, most importantly, we bring a Christian perspective to the profession.”

In March 2011, Deborah and Dr. Matta will present “Bridging the Gap” for a national audience at the ACA National Conference and Exposition. This is the largest, most comprehensive educational conference conducted for professional counselors. The ACA is dedicated to the growth and development of counseling and have been instrumental in setting professional and ethical standards for the counseling profession. With nearly 45,000 members, it is the world′s largest nonprofit association exclusively representing professional counselors.

The presence of our faculty and students at state and national conferences is a mark of distinction for the Geneva′s Masters in Counseling program. In addition, all three degree specializations offered by Geneva–Marriage and Family Counseling, Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling– are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) which is only provided to programs whose content has been evaluated and is proven to meet or exceed national standards. As a result, says Dr. Luce, “Graduates of Geneva′s Masters in Counseling program are well positioned to become licensed and certified throughout the U.S.”

For more information on the Master′s in Arts in Counseling program, click here.