A Biopsychosocial

Approach to
Counselling
Live Session
PSYC 6104
Navigating Initial Anxiety:
Embrace the Learning Curve
• Anxiety: Remember, it's normal to feel anxious about new tasks. You're not alone, and we’re
here to support you.
• Today's Objective: My goal is to equip you with confidence and understanding, ensuring you
feel thoroughly prepared for your first-ever MACP assignment!
• Mindful Pause: Let's all take a moment for a deep breath... Embracing calm can enhance
focus and productivity.
• Grading Proportions: Keep in mind, your first assignment contributes to just 15% of your
final grade. This is an opportunity rather than a threat. After all, it’s a “micro-assignment.”
• Learning as a Process: This initial assignment offers a valuable chance to familiarize yourself
with the grading process and assignment expectations. It's a low-stakes environment to
learn and improve, not a make-or-break scenario.
• Remember, the journey to mastery begins with a single step. Let's embark on this academic
journey together!
Before we Discuss Assignment 1: Qu
ick Housekeeping - Discussion Quest
•ion Expectations
Reminders:
• Marks: quantity; timeliness; quality; evidence of reading; critical thinking,
synthesis, and reflection; and quality of writing.
• Be sure to maintain a range of 150–200 words for each post.
• Try to make your first post by Tuesday (ideally Monday) of each week.
• Spread out the remaining posts over the week.

N.B. - This is a general overview. All details are available within the assignment links in the syllabus.
Assignment 1 – Micro-Assignment Bio
& Psych
• Worth 15% of final grade; due on or before 11:55 p.m. AT on Sunday of this week.
• Purpose: Understand the BioPsycho lens in therapy and comprehend the aspects
of biology and psychology of a client.
• You are to imagine themselves as the client and write a 5-page paper (using first
person pronouns) on a chosen issue from their life or a made-up issue presented
in a therapy session.
• The paper should consist of:
• Title page (first page)
• Brief introduction (second page)
• One page dedicated to biological factors (third page)
• One page dedicated to psychological factors (fourth page)
• Reference page(s) with a minimum of 6 references within the past 7 years (fifth page)
N.B. - This is a general overview. All details are available within the assignment links in the syllabus.
FAQ: Micro-Assignment Bio &
Psych Summary
1. What is the aim of this assignment? Comprehend the biological and
psychological aspects within the therapeutic process. As the client, you will
describe your understanding of the factors and the therapeutic relationship
from your own experience or a made-up scenario.
2. What is the format of the assignment? The assignment should be in a
narrative format (first person) using APA style, presented in a five-page paper
consisting of a title page, brief introduction, a page dedicated to biological
factors, a page for psychological factors, and a reference page(s).
3. How many references should I include in my assignment? A minimum of six
references within the last seven years is required. You can include up to a
maximum of 12 references.
N.B. - This is a general overview. All details are available within the assignment links in the syllabus.
FAQ: Micro-Assignment Bio &
Psych Summary
4. How can I discuss how the therapist built a therapeutic relationship while also
identifying at least three factors for bio and psycho?
• Remember, the assignment is designed to enhance your understanding of biological
and psychological aspects and their impact on human thinking and behaviour.
• You are to identify at least three biological and three psychological factors that are
relevant to your selected focus topic. These factors could range from genetic,
hormonal, and cognitive to self-talk and behavioural factors.
• In your analysis from the perspective of the client, consider how these biological
and psychological factors facilitated, contributed to, and maintained the issue you're
addressing.
• Explain how the counsellor built a therapeutic relationship that allowed you to feel
comfortable discussing these factors (e.g., using respect-focus therapy)
N.B. - This is a general overview. All details are available within the assignment links in the syllabus.
FAQ: Micro-Assignment Bio &
Psych Summary
5. What does the "biological framework" and "psychological lens"
mean?
• The biological framework refers to aspects like genetics, hormonal
influences, diet, exercise, and other physical environmental factors
that can impact a person's behavior and mental health. The
psychological lens includes cognitive, emotional, and behavioral
factors such as thinking patterns, perception, self-talk, mood, and self-
regulation.

N.B. - This is a general overview. All details are available within the assignment links in the syllabus.
FAQ: Micro-Assignment Bio &
Psych Summary
6. Can you give an example of a factor?
Biological Factors:
• Genetic: Hereditary traits and predispositions that could influence the topic at hand. For example, genetic
predispositions for certain mental health conditions, like depression or anxiety.
• Hormonal: Fluctuations in hormone levels can significantly impact behaviour, mood, and stress levels.
• Glands: The functioning of various glands (such as the thyroid or adrenal glands) can influence mood,
metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, and other aspects of health.
• Diet: Nutrition can impact physical health and well-being, which can subsequently affect mental and emotional
health.
• Exercise: Physical activity is linked with both physical and mental well-being.
• Developmental factors (neurotransmitters): Changes in neurotransmitter levels or functions can impact mental
health and behaviour.
• Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can significantly affect mental and emotional well-being.
• Medication: Certain medications can have side effects that influence mood and behaviour.
• Toxins: Exposure to environmental toxins can have various impacts on physical and mental health.
N.B. - This is a general overview. All details are available within the assignment links in the syllabus.
FAQ: Micro-Assignment Bio &
Psych Summary
6. Can you give an example of a factor? (cont.)
Psychological Factors:
• Cognitive: This relates to thought processes, such as beliefs, attitudes, perceptions, and cognitive biases that may
impact the chosen topic.
• Thinking: This includes patterns of thought, such as habitual negative thinking or irrational beliefs.
• Perception: How an individual perceives themselves, others, and the world around them can significantly impact their
mental and emotional well-being.
• Self-talk: Internal dialogue can greatly influence mood, self-esteem, and overall mental health.
• Emotion/mood/feelings: Emotional states and the ability to manage them are crucial factors in mental health.
• Behavioural: This could include harmful or beneficial behaviours that influence the issue at hand, such as self-care
habits or avoidance behaviours.
• Self-regulation: The ability to manage and control one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviours.
• Personality style: Different personality traits and styles can significantly impact how an individual interacts with the
world and copes with stress.
• Developmental internal constructs from experiences in life: This includes an individual's learned beliefs about
themselves and the world based on past experiences.
N.B. - This is a general overview. All details are available within the assignment links in the syllabus.
FAQ: Micro-Assignment Bio &
Psych Summary
7. I’m still confused. How do I reflect on how a counsellor would use
biological and psychological lenses to understand and work through my
issues as the client?
• Remember, the emphasis is on the biological and psychological lenses.
• Consider yourself as a client discussing your issue. From this perspective,
you’re sharing your bio and psycho factors and touching on counsellor's
approach in building the therapeutic relationship (which you’ve learned
about in the readings and discussions).
• As a counselling student, you have the added advantage of recognizing the
theoretical concepts being employed as well as understanding the
biological and psychological factors. Use your readings!
N.B. - This is a general overview. All details are available within the assignment links in the syllabus.
FAQ: Micro-Assignment Bio &
Psych Summary
8. Can I choose the topic for the assignment? Yes, you can. You are
allowed to select a topic from the provided list or your own. However, if
you choose a topic that is not on the provided list, make sure to get
approval from your instructor.
9. Are there any restrictions on the topics that can be chosen for the
assignment? Yes, please do not select topics that personally elicit
strong emotional responsiveness, such as addiction, substance abuse,
significant grief/loss, trauma (i.e., violent incidents, abuse, sexual
assault, etc.).

N.B. - This is a general overview. All details are available within the assignment links in the syllabus.
FAQ: Micro-Assignment Bio &
Psych Summary
10. How will my assignment be evaluated? Check the rubric. Your assignment will be
evaluated based on the introduction of the primary focus, demonstration of
understanding and analysis for biological and psychological factors, clear organization,
correct grammar and punctuation, and compliance with the APA style guidelines for
citations and references.
11. Can I include personal experiences in the assignment? Yes, you can, but be mindful
not to over-disclose. Your assignment should focus on analyzing biological and
psychological aspects of a chosen issue rather than detailing your personal experiences
extensively.
12. Can I use sources outside of the course readings for my assignment? Yes, you should
use a minimum of two additional sources outside of the course readings, as long as they
are dated within the last seven years.

N.B. - This is a general overview. All details are available within the assignment links in the syllabus.
Goal: Examine each lens (Bio and Psycho). How do these factors
produce or maintain the presenting problem in the client’s
situation? (e.g., what has biologically facilitated the existence of
the presenting problem?)

N.B. - This is a general overview. All details are available within the assignment links in the syllabus.
Avoid: Symptoms that have been created as a result of the
presenting problem’s presence (which is more in line with
diagnostic assessments).

N.B. - This is a general overview. All details are available within the assignment links in the syllabus.
Assignment 2 – Micro-Assignment
Social & Cultural Response, Socially J
ust (CRSJ)
• Much the same as Assignment 1 with a focus on the
Social and Cultural/Socially Just (CRSJ) lens in therapy
• Due Sunday of Unit 6

N.B. - This is a general overview. All details are available within the assignment links in the syllabus.