APSY 7444 Theories of Counseling and Personality I

First part of a year-long sequence examining personality and counseling theories. To introduce students to major theories of personality in the field of psychology and how theories are applied in constructing counseling and psychotherapy models. Students will focus on humanistic, behavioral, and cognitive personality theories and how they become operationalized in person-centered, behavioral, and cognitive counseling models, respectively. In addition to examining the theoretical foundations, client and counselor dimensions, techniques, and the active ingredients of change for these major models of personality and counseling, students examine how socio-cultural context contributes to client presenting concerns and may be addressed in counseling. Section.01 for Mental Health Counseling students ONLYSection.02 for Mental Health Counseling students ONLY

Course overview

Department
Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Psychology
School
Lynch
Credits
3
Level
Graduate
Offered
Every Fall

Course evaluations

Response-weighted averages from Boston College’s official course evaluations (Avalanche/Blue).

Course rating
4.37 / 5 · Very Good
312 responses
Instructor rating
4.54 / 5 · Excellent
312 responses
Terms evaluated
5
Most recent: Fall 2025

Scales: overall ratings run from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent); agreement questions from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree); weekly effort from 1 (up to 1 hour) to 5 (10 or more hours).

Evaluations by term and instructor
TermInstructorCourse overallInstructor overallWell organizedClear learning objectivesIntellectually challengingHelpful assignmentsApplicable beyond courseAttendance necessaryWeekly effortResponses
Fall 2025Emma Highsmith Rich4.44.54.74.64.54.64.84.7—12 of 21
Fall 2025James R Mahalik4.04.24.34.44.44.44.54.14–6 hrs/week34 of 45
Fall 2025Pratyusha Tummala-Narra4.34.74.94.94.64.74.94.64–6 hrs/week15 of 23
Fall 2024Emma Highsmith Rich5.05.05.05.04.75.05.04.94–6 hrs/week11 of 25
Fall 2024James R Mahalik4.44.54.54.64.64.64.74.74–6 hrs/week40 of 52
Fall 2024Pratyusha Tummala-Narra4.84.94.94.94.74.75.04.91–3 hrs/week14 of 26
Fall 2023James R Mahalik—————————56 of 71
Fall 2023Shayna Perry—————————32 of 36
Fall 2022James R Mahalik4.34.64.64.64.44.64.74.71–3 hrs/week44 of 53
Fall 2022Shayna Perry3.94.34.24.34.24.24.64.21–3 hrs/week18 of 18
Fall 2021James R Mahalik4.74.74.74.74.64.84.84.41–3 hrs/week26 of 53
Fall 2021Joseph Soucy4.44.64.64.64.54.64.74.51–3 hrs/week10 of 19

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-10-09. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

Sections

  • Section 01
    Fall 2026 · James R Mahalik · Campion Hall 235 Th 04:30PM-06:50PM · Offered
  • Section 02
    Fall 2026 · James R Mahalik · Campion Hall 236 W 07:00PM-09:30PM · Offered
  • Section 03
    Fall 2026 · Pratyusha Tummala-Narra · Campion Hall 235 M 04:30PM-06:50PM · Offered
  • Section 04
    Fall 2026 · Nathaniel Wade · Campion Hall 231 Th 04:30PM-06:50PM · Offered