M.A. (Psychology) Counselling Across Lifespan Syllabus - Mumbai University 2026

Semesters I and II are from the University of Mumbai syllabus approved by the Academic Council on 7 July 2023 (item 5.5 (N)), in force from 2023-24.

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Syllabus for Counselling Across Lifespan

M.A. (Psychology) · Semester 1 · Elective · Counselling Psychology · 4 credits

The University's syllabus heads this course “Counselling Across the Lifespan”; the University's list of courses names it “Counselling Across Lifespan”.

Course objectives

1 To understand academic, emotional, behavioural difficulties of children and adolescents.
2 To acquaint students with counselling needs in marriage, workplace and among elderly.
3 To highlight counselling for people with addiction issues, attempted suicide, disabilities and trauma.
4 To introduce students to the mental health issues experienced in Adolescence and Adulthood.

Course outcomes

CO1 Students will be well acquainted with different areas of counselling and related goals and processes of working with clients in these different areas.
CO2 Students will be able to demonstrate their understanding of core issues related to different age groups and special areas, helping them arrive at better case conceptualizations.
CO3 Students will be able to critically examine counselling theories, skills and competencies in these different areas of counselling psychology
CO4 Students will be able to apply their knowledge and competency while working with counselling clients.

Unit 1: Children and Adolescents

a Slow learners and talented/ exceptional
b Children with learning disability and ADHD
c Emotional, behavioural issues, conduct disorders, developmental disorders.
d Children with socially disadvantaged background and under achievers

Unit 2: Counselling Adults and the Elderly

a Premarital and marital counselling: role conflict, sex and sexuality issues and relationship enrichment skills.
b Workplace and employee counselling
c Elderly: Pre-retirement and retirement counselling
d Adjustment to Aging: Coping with loss of spouse and changes in family structure, health related issues, enhancing quality of life.

Unit 3: Counselling for Specific Mental Health Issues

a Anxiety and Depression
b Suicide prevention and management.
c Trauma and sexual abuse counseling
d Personality Disorders: A precursor to understand several issues in adulthood

Unit 4: Counselling Special Groups

a Special issues faced by women and feminist approach to counseling.
b Special issues faced by LGBTQIA+ and Queer Affirmative Counselling
c Rehabilitation counselling for persons with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities: vocational and psychosocial aspects.
d Rehabilitation counselling for Drug addicts and alcoholics.

Books for study

1 Bor, R., Jo Bbner-Landy, Gilli, S., Brace,C. (2002). Counselling in Schools . Sage Publications Ltd
2 Wong, D. W., Hall, K. R., & Hernandez, L. W. (2020). Counseling individuals through the lifespan. SAGE publications.
3 Clough, P; Pardeck, J., Yuen, F.(eds) (2005). Handbook of Emotional and Behavioural difficulties . New Delhi, Sage Publications.
4 Geldard, K and Geldard, D (2004). Counselling Adolescents . Sage Publications, New Delhi
5 Gothard, B., Mignot, P., Offer, M., & Ruff. M. (2001). Career Guidance in Context . Sage.
6 King B.M. (1996) Human Sexuality Today (2nd ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall,
7 Niles, S. & Harris-Bowlsbey, J. (2013). Career development interventions in the 21stcentury (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education
8 O’Leary, C.J (1999). Counselling Couples and Families . Sage Publications, New Delhi
9 Ponte Otto, D.B. Casas, J.M; Suzuki, L.A. And Alexander, C.M. (eds) .(2001). Handbook of Multicultural Counselling . Sage Publications, New Delhi
10 Rivers, P.C (1994) Alcoholic and Human Behaviour: Theory Research and Practice . New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
11 Sherry, J. (2004). Counselling Children, Adolescents and Families . Sage Publications, New Delhi
12 Velleman, R. (2001). Counselling for Alcoholic Problems . New Delhi:Sage Publications,.
13 Wolfe, R. Dryden, W. and Star bridge, S. (eds) (2003). Handbook of Counselling Psychology . Sage Publications.
14 Herr, E.L., and Cramer, S.H. (2003). Career guidance and counselling through the life span: Systematic approaches (6thed.) Boston: Allynand Bacon.
15 Wright, B.A. (1983). Physical disability: A psychosocial approach (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Harper & Row.
16 Kapur, M. (2011). Counselling Children with Psychological Problems. Delhi: Pearson
17 Matthys, W. &Lochman, J.E. (2010). Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder in Children. Wilyey- Blackwell.
18 Kober, R. Enhancing the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities: Theory and Practice (Ed.). New York: Springer.

Books for Reference

1 Carroll, M. (1996). Workplace Counselling A Systematic Approach to Employee Care . New Delhi: Sage Publications.
2 Casey, J. A. (1995). Developmental issues for school counselors using technology. Elementary School Guidance &Counseling , 30, 26-35.
3 Garland, D. S., (1983). Working with couples for marriage enrichment . SanFrancisco, CA: Jossey- Bass.
4 Halford, W.K., Markman, H.J., Stanley, S., Kline, G.H., (2002). Relationship enhancement. In Douglas H. Sprenkle (Ed.), Effectiveness research in marriage and family therapy (pp. 191-222). Alexandria, VA: American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
5 Nelson-Jones, R. (1996). Relating skills: A practical guide to effective personal relationships . Trowbridge, Wiltshire, Great Britian: Redwood Books
6 Norton,K and Mcgauley, G (1998). Counselling Difficult clients . Sage Publications, New Delhi.
7 Sen, A.K. (1982). Mental Retardation . ,Bhelpur: Kripa Psychology Center.
8 Midgley, N., Hayes, J., Cooper, M. (2017). Essential research findings in child and adolescent counselling and psychotherapy (Eds.). New Delhi: Sage.

Reproduced from the University of Mumbai syllabus for M.A. (Psychology), Semester I and II, AC 07/07/2023, Item No. 5.5 (N), in force from the academic year 2023-24. Wording and numbering are as printed there; the marks scheme is in the PDF above.

The complete syllabus

This subject is cut from the University document for its semesters. Open the document here if you want the whole thing rather than a single subject.

PDF University of Mumbai syllabus, M.A. (Psychology), Semester I and II (Item No. 5.5 (N), AC 07/07/2023) Read full PDF Read

PDF University of Mumbai syllabus, M.A. (Psychology), Semester III and IV (Item No. 5.7 (N), AC 12/07/2024) Read full PDF Read

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