SFW0064 - Client-Centered Counseling for Behavior Change

Course Description

Helping professionals play a crucial role in helping individuals and groups achieve their life goals. One of the most effective and widely used approaches is client-centered, strengths-based counseling, which focuses on empowering people to reach their full potential. Rooted in Carl Rogers’ person-centered theory, this approach builds on an individual’s inherent motivation for growth and self-improvement.

In this course, you'll explore the core principles of client-centered counseling and understand why it is a foundation for effective, evidence-based interventions across various service fields. You’ll also learn how this approach aligns with motivational interviewing (MI)—a proven technique that helps clients overcome ambivalence and strengthen their commitment to change.

Through practical training, you'll gain the skills to:

✔️ Apply client-centered, strengths-based strategies in your work with families/clients.

✔️ Use motivational interviewing techniques to enhance clients' intrinsic motivation.

✔️ Navigate resistance to change and foster collaboration for lasting progress.

By the end of this course, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how to empower clients, build trust, and facilitate meaningful transformation in their lives.

This course is offered in May and November.

Enrollment opens at least one month prior to its start date. 

Learner Outcomes

After completing this course, participants will be able to: 

• Discuss client-centered strengths-based counseling concepts and skills including stages of change, action planning, and harm reduction. 

• Identify key elements of effective help giving. 

• Define Motivational Interviewing (MI). 

• Explain key concepts and techniques of motivational interviewing (MI). 

• List 4 core counseling skills of motivational interviewing (MI). 

• List the 4 processes/steps of a motivational interviewing conversation. 

• Demonstrate key client-centered and motivational interviewing techniques and strategies. 

• Identify the difference between positional, personal, and shared power. 

• Develop your own professional development plan to enhance your client-centered counseling for behavior change knowledge and skills. 

Notes

All cancellation requests must be in writing via email to sfwtuh@temple.edu and received by the Temple University Harrisburg staff before becoming effective.

**Please note: If a cancellation request is not made and the registrant does not attend the course as originally scheduled, the registrant is still responsible for payment for the scheduled course.

Cancellation Policy:

All cancellation requests must be received within 72 hours (3 business days) from the date of enrollment in the course AND the registered person has not accessed any portion of the online course. Cancellations that meet the criterial listed above will be eligible for a full refund of fees paid.

Recommendations

Basic Computer Proficiency

• Using a keyboard and mouse
• Selecting, copying, pasting text
• Sending and receiving email
• Saving and retrieving files in different formats (.docx, .pdf, .pptx., etc.)
• Using a text editor (changing fonts, inserting links, using spell check, etc.)
• Browsing for files to attach and upload
• Accessing the Internet using a web browser and resetting basic web browser settings (clearing cache/history, cookies, etc.)
• Audio equipment (i.e., computer speakers)
• Software - Microsoft Office and Adobe Reader

To successfully complete the training and activities, the materials needed/recommended are:

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

• Client-Centered Counseling for Behavior Change : Certificate
• SFW Credential : Certificate