Through both listening to and actively making music, the intentional application of sound and music in therapy has been used for a variety of purposes. Expressive arts therapists who wish to use music in treatment have to become aware of how the properties of rhythm, pitch, and tempo affect all levels of healing from expression to relaxation. By increasing comfort with a variety of musical instruments, genres and styles, students can identify when to offer specific interventions to advance therapy and healing. In becoming secure in the history and foundational theories of the field of music therapy, practitioners can locate their work in a larger theoretical context, while being mindful of cultural variances and considerations. Students who take this course are advised to take MSBH6101 also. Assessment: 100% coursework

Theatre and dramatic activity have often been used to communicate essential truths and to express particular values. Within the context of therapy, drama allows clients to recreate life experiences, imagine new ones, and experiment with alternate endings and choices. Through re-enactment or witnessing others tell one’s story, acting is essential modality of healing. Understanding the history and theory of the fields of drama therapy while taking into consideration such activities as improvisation or pantomime can learn to offer drama in therapeutic and educational settings. Developing cultural sensitivity, self-awareness and critical appreciation will allow students to be competent in offering drama activities with clients. Students who take this course are advised to take MSBH6101 also. Assessment: 100% coursework 

This multifaceted course emphasizes theories, hands-on techniques, and application of art therapy knowledge and skills. It is designed for helping service professionals, educators, and artists to learn about the practice and profession of art therapy. The course content covers the history, theories, and application of art therapy with various populations. Novel art therapy approaches, the use of unconventional art materials in clinical settings, and cutting-edge theories will be highlighted in lectures to train students in a key role of using visual art modality as a helping tool in their fields. In addition to lectures and discussions, students will have ample time to participate in experiential art workshops, immersing themselves in the creative and therapeutic process of art-making. Although this course does not qualify students to practice art therapy, students will gain awareness of art in therapeutic settings and how to ethically apply art making in their work settings. Students who take this course are advised to take MSBH6101 also.  Assessment: 100% coursework 

As one of the modalities engaged by creative and expressive arts therapists, dance and movement allow individuals to express, communicate, and engage in healing through their bodies. Engaged in a variety of clinical and educational settings, dance and movement can be engaged as effective nonverbal interventions. In order to be able to use it effectively, practitioners must be grounded in anatomy, comfortable with their own body awareness, and attuned to the artistic, social, and cultural influences that affect movement. By exploring the history of the field of dance and movement therapy and the various ways to involve the body in therapy, students will be able to use dance and/or movement as a way to help facilitate the process during interventions with clinical and non-clinical populations. Students who take this course are advised to take MSBH6101 also. Assessment: 100% coursework

The course equips students with a range of knowledge and essential skills in conducting clinical assessment. The course introduces students to the principles and techniques they required in history-taking, conducting mental state examination, deriving evidence-based and multidimensional case formulation, as well as deploying strategic and holistic treatment plan for common mental health issues. To enhance students’ awareness and critical appraisals of current issues related to assessment in the clinical settings, professional issues related to assessment in the clinical setting will be discussed with reference to up-to-date evidence in the field. Going beyond the medical model of assessment, this course adopts a systemic, bio-psycho-social perspective on mental health issues by considering factors predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating the presenting problems. In addition, to broaden the student's understanding of clinical assessment, state-of-the-art and evidence-based assessment practices using different art modalities will also be introduced. Assessment: 100% coursework

This course examines the basic tenets and therapeutic processes of the major counselling and psychotherapy treatments available to modern-day practitioners. It covers basic counselling skills and core issues in clinical practice, such as values, ethics and therapeutic alliance. Major psychological treatments are introduced, including psychodynamic therapy, behavioural treatment, cognitive-behavioural therapy, humanistic/existential approaches and mind-body approach. Students are expected to be active knowledge seekers. They are encouraged to participate actively in group discussion and role-play. Emphasis is placed on the cultivation of independent, critical, and reflective thoughts through reading, discussion and experiential learning.  Assessment: 100% coursework

This graduate level course will discuss past and current research regarding theoretical, clinical and experimental perspectives of the study of psychological abnormality. Emphasis is on classification, etiology, assessment and accepted treatment of major categories of mental disorders described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of the American Psychiatric Association, Version 5. In addition, the course also aims to provide an appreciation for the incomplete nature of our understanding of mental illness. A variety of in-class exercises – including small group discussions and video tapes are used to understand mental disorders. Controversial and culturally-relevant issues, especially with reference to the Chinese context, in abnormal psychology will also be explored and discussed. Case examples will be shared to enhance students’ learning. Assessment: 100% coursework 

This course covers selected topics that pertain to special populations or problems (e.g., cancer, AIDS, smoking, addictive gambling). Assessment: 100% coursework

This course covers selected topics that meet acute societal needs, or are of current interest or on the cutting edge of knowledge advancement in behavioral health. Examples are prevention and coping with pandemic crises; reproductive health; gender, sexuality, and well-being; domestic violence. Assessment: 100% coursework 

This course aims at providing students with a basic understanding of contemplative practices, including the historical roots and the scientific evidence, as shown in its application in healthcare, education, and other human service contexts in the past 40 years. Both theoretical and experiential learning will be included. Students will partake in a four-week mindfulness training program with in-class exercises and home practices. The potential risks and ethical considerations for application among different target groups will be examined. Students will then be guided to develop their approach in integrating the contemplative practice in their professional settings based on their personal experiences, understanding of the theoretical background, and adherence to the ethical guidelines. Assessment: 100% coursework 

The objective of the module is to introduce the student to the principles and practice of play therapy and its application to the counseling and psychotherapy for children, adolescents and families. At the end of the course, the students will have an introduction of the history and development of play therapy, an understanding of various theoretical models of play therapy, rationale for the use of play in therapy, and phrase of the client’s progress in play therapy. Practice material will be provided including how to development therapeutic rapport, conduct a play based assessment, setting up of a playroom and the selection of therapeutic play materials. Best practice tips on engaging the client, recording keeping and other ethical issues will be discussed. Assessment: 100% coursework 

Death is an inevitable life experience for everyone. Death-related problem is one of the commonest issues that clients brought to counseling, but is also rated as the most uncomfortable scenario by beginning counselors. This course offers a basic orientation to the knowledge and intervention approaches in working with death-related situations, including end of life care and bereavement counseling. Major theories and models related to death, dying and bereavement would be introduced. Corresponding clinical implications and practical work approaches would also be highlighted. Apart from the knowledge and skills, the course also emphasizes on personal exploration and review on one's attitudes toward life and death issues. It is hoped that students are better equipped with knowledge competence, practice competence as well as self competence in working with death, dying and bereavement. Assessment: 100% coursework

Positive Psychology emphasizes the discovery and cultivation of human strengths and potential for a flourished life, and strength-based interventions include counseling and therapy models that foster psychological well-being and reduce distress and symptoms in clients. This course critically reviews the theory and practice of positive psychology, including the study of happiness, character strengths, optimism, resilience, compassion, meaning, goals, flow, creativity and hope and their relevance to psychological health and psychotherapy, as well as strength-oriented interventions which include mindfulness-based, compassion-based and valued-based models. The cultural relevance of Positive Psychology and strength-based interventions will also be examined. Assessment: 100% coursework