- Marking its 10th anniversary, this year's counseling approach focuses on experiential learning through personal stories

[Photo] 10th "Explore Counseling" Special Lecture and Counseling Internship by the College of Psychology and Counseling

The College of Psychology and Counseling (Departments of Counseling Psychology, Family Coaching and Counseling, Military and Police Counseling, Specialized Psychological Therapy) conducted the 10th annual " Explore Counseling " counseling field experience program on the 2nd (Saturday), both offline and online in real-time video sessions.

Conducted annually since 2014, stands as the flagship program of the SCU College of Psychology and Counseling, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Going beyond e-learning, the program's focus is on elevating the counseling skills of current students and graduates through experiential learning, emphasizing practical demonstrations over theoretical knowledge.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, programs that were conducted online in previous years are being held offline this year. For one specific program, both online and offline sessions are being conducted simultaneously.

The Counseling Psychology department featured Professor Han Soo-mi's special lecture on "Counselors' Perspectives and Roles in the Post-COVID Era." In the Family Coaching and Counseling department, Professor Kim Yowon presented a special lecture titled "Restoring Disrupted Family Relationships in the Post-COVID Era: A Focus on the Satir Experiential Family Therapy Model." Meanwhile, the Military and Police Counseling department had Professor Lee Soo-ran deliver a special lecture on "Understanding and Coping with Crime in the Post-COVID Era," and in the Specialized Psychological Therapy department, Professor Im Jung-seon discussed the "Practical Implementation of Digital Psychological Therapy." These lectures offered a meaningful experience to around 200 students.

Students who participated in the competency enhancement special lectures found it to be a meaningful experience. They, as majors studying counseling psychology, family coaching and counseling, military and police counseling, and specialized psychological therapy, gained insights into the directions they should take in their studies post the COVID-19 pandemic. They mentioned, "It was more than just studying counseling theories through videos; meeting experts, participating in demonstrations, and experiencing interaction firsthand were valuable experiences."

Kim Hyeonah, the Dean of the College of Psychology and Counseling (Professor of Counseling Psychology), conveyed, "As we traverse the post-COVID era, it is crucial for counselors to cultivate foresight capabilities. Through the training model for counselors and Satir's experiential family therapy model, we explore the restoration of fractured family relationships, psychological insights into various crimes, and the practical application of digital psychological therapy as an emerging treatment approach. This course offers an invaluable opportunity for students in the College of Psychology and Counseling to embrace forward-thinking counseling strategies." She emphasized, "Leveraging our university's robust educational system, we are committed to continuously refining the structure and techniques of psychological counseling. Our goal is to prepare counseling professionals equipped to address the challenges faced by the public in the post-COVID era. I am confident that the counseling experience program conducted by the College of Psychology and Counseling will play a pivotal role in enhancing the counseling capabilities of our current students."

On another note, the College of Psychology and Counseling (including the Departments of Counseling Psychology, Family Coaching and Counseling, Military and Police Counseling, and Specialized Psychological Therapy) operates regional counseling centers in Seoul, Bundang, Incheon, Daegu, and Gwangju, establishing a comprehensive practicum system. They also offer nationwide mental health counseling services through SCU Mind Healing Call (02-944-5020). Notably, Mind Healing Call has received recognition for its outstanding contributions to public mental health services, earning the 'Excellent Volunteer Organization Commendation' from Gangbuk District Office. Additionally, the college has successfully organized consecutive international counseling psychology seminars, receiving praise for enhancing the counseling capabilities of both current students and graduates and expanding their awareness of contemporary trends in psychological therapy theories.