PSYC 4800 01: Introduction to Psychotherapy

PSYC 4800 - Introduction to Psychotherapy

Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 42597,

Credit hours: 3

Course Meeting Times

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Instructor

Dr. David Fruehstorfer

Professional Qualifications:
Ph.D., Experimental (Health) Psychology, Kent State University (2010)
M.A., Experimental (Health) Psychology, Kent State University (2005)
M.Ed., Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Kent State University (1995)
B.A., Psychology, Kent State University (1989)

Senior Lecturer

Email: dbfruehstorfer@ysu.edu

Office: 3211 Beeghly Hall

Office Phone: 330.941.3276

Preferred Contact Method: email

How to Refer to me:
he/him/professor/doctor

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Public Instructor Information

Professor: Dr. David B. Fruehstorfer
Professional Qualifications: 
Ph.D., Experimental (Health) Psychology, Kent State University (2010)
M.A., Experimental (Health) Psychology, Kent State University (2005)
M.Ed., Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Kent State University (1995)
B.A., Psychology, Kent State University (1989)
Office: 3211 Beeghly Hall
Phone: 330.941.3276
Email: dbfruehstorfer@ysu.edu
Preferred Contact Method: email is best way to contact me.  Please use your YSU email address.
Student Support Hours: Mon. & Wed.~ 10:30a-11:30a; Tues. & Thurs. ~ 11:00a-12:30p
How to refer to me: he/him/professor/doctor

Private Instructor Information

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Course Description

4800. Introduction to Psychotherapy. A critical overview of major psychotherapeutic approaches to mental health including an evaluation of empirical validity. Students will develop an increased sensitivity to multicultural and ethical issues. Prereq.: PSYC 3702 or PSYC 3775. 3 s.h.

Course Readings

Group Title Author ISBN
Required Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (11th edition) with MindTap v 2.0 Gerald Corey 8220132811783

This is a First-Day Ready course:  eBook and MindTap access are included in the course fee. 
Corey, G. (2024), Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (11th edition) with MindTap v 2.0 ISBN 13: 8220132811783

Hardcopy Text options (not required):
Corey, G. (2024), Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy, Enhanced (11th edition)
This older edition would be fine as a supplement as well:
Corey, G. (2021), Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy, Enhanced (10th edition) ISBN 13: 9780357671429

The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.  

Additional Course Materials

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Course Learning Outcomes/Objectives/Goals

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How to Succeed in This Course

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Attendance Expectations

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Late Work Submission Policy

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Additional Course Expectations

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Artificial Intelligence Policy Statement

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Assignments/Assessments

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Grading and Grading Scale

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University Policies

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Schedule of Topics and Assignments

Week of Reading(s) Proposed Topic Due/To Prepare for Class
8/25 Syllabus
Ch. 2
Introductions
Introduction and Overview
Register in MindTap
Knowledge Check - Ch. 1
Syllabus Quiz
Gwen Video - Intake Session
Knowledge Check - Ch. 2
Gwen Video - Multicultural Perspective
9/1 Ch. 2
Ch. 3
The Counselor: Person & Professional
Ethical and Legal Issues
Ch. 2 Quiz
Knowledge Check - Ch. 3
Gwen Video - Informed Consent
Complete Theoretical Orientations Test summary
O*Net notes for class
9/8 Ch. 3
Ch. 4
Ethical and Legal Issues
Psychoanalytic Therapy
Ch. 3 Quiz
Gwen Psychoanalytic session
Knowledge Check - Ch. 4
Unit 1 Test
9/15 Ch. 4
Ch. 5
Psychoanalytic Therapy
Adlerian Therapy
Ch. 4 Quiz
Knowledge Check - Ch. 5
Gwen Adlerian session
9/22 Ch. 5 Adlerian Therapy Ch. 5 Quiz
Unit 2 Test
9/29 Ch. 6
Ch. 7
Existential Therapy
Person-Centered Therapy
Knowledge Check - Ch. 6
Gwen Existential session
Ch. 6 Quiz
Knowledge Check - Ch. 7
10/6 Ch. 7
Ch. 8
Person-Centered Therapy
Gestalt Therapy
Gwen P-C Therapy session
Ch. 7 Quiz
Knowledge Check - Ch. 8
10/13 Ch. 8
Gestalt Therapy Gwen Gestalt Therapy session
Ch. 8 Quiz
Unit 3 Test
10/20 Ch. 9 Behavior Therapy Knowledge Check - Ch. 9
Gwen Behavior Therapy session
Ch. 9 Quiz
10/27 Ch. 10 Cognitive Behavior Therapy Knowledge Check - Ch. 10
Gwen CBT session
Ch. 10 Quiz
11/3 Ch. 11 Choice Theory/Reality Therapy Knowledge Check - Ch. 11
Gwen Reality Therapy session
Ch. 11 Quiz
11/10 Ch. 9-11
Ch. 13
Post-Modern Therapies Unit 4 Test
Knowledge Check - Ch. 13
11/17 Ch. 13
Ch. 14
Post-Modern Therapies
Family Therapies
Gwen Post-Modern (SFBT) session
Ch. 13 Quiz
Knowledge Check - Ch. 14
11/24 Ch. 14 Family Therapies Gwen Family Therapy session
Ch. 14 Quiz
12/1 Ch. 13 & 14
Ch. 15
Integrative Approaches Unit 5 Test
Knowledge Check - Ch. 15
Gwen - Termination session
Retake Theoretical Orientations Test; bring printed version to class
Ch. 15 Quiz
12/8 Chapters 4-11, 13-15 Cumulative Final Exam lmslms_1800307_1
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Cumulative Final Exam

The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.