Group Counseling: Theory & Techniques



DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY

Department of Counseling, Psychology and Special Education

The Counseling Program

557 - Group Counseling: Theory & Techniques

Spring 2009 3 credits

William J. Casile 412.396.6112 casile@duq.edu

Duquesne University Emergencies and Cancellations: 412-396-1700

COURSE SYLLABUS

I. SCOPE OF COURSE

This course is an introduction to group work and specifically group counseling. It is designed to provide future counselors with opportunities to explore basic theoretical and practical concepts regarding the group counseling process; the behavioral dynamics that occur in groups; and the role, essential skills, and techniques of group leadership. Classes will consist of didactic and experiential elements, including lectures, large and small group discussions, demonstrations, student presentations, and structured role-plays and simulations that make attendance and active participation essential to your learning.

II. PREREQUISITES

There are no prerequisites except to be admitted to the Graduate School of Education. This course is one of the screening courses required for admission to candidacy in the school, community, or marriage & family counseling programs. Students not applying to one of the counseling programs may also enroll in this course with instructor approval.

III. INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES

A. Understand the definitions, purposes, and therapeutic factors of group work types, with a special emphasis on counseling groups.

B. Understand issues and tasks related to the stages of group work.

C. Understand the basic principles of group process and dynamics, and understand the roles, tasks, and behaviors of group members and leaders.

D. Identify the essential skills/techniques of group leadership and their impact on the group.

E. Demonstrate the ability to lead groups by processing and evaluating actual and simulated group experiences.

F. Explore specific ethical and cultural issues unique to group work.

G. Describe prevalent theoretical approaches to group work and integrate these approaches to group work into a personal approach to group leadership.

IV. COURSE RESOURCES

A. Required Text: Gladding, S.T. (2008 ). Group work: a counseling specialty,5 th ed. NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall. Companion Website: gladding

Alternative Recommended Reading: Corey, G. (2004). Theory and practice of group counseling, 6th ed. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole. OR

Yalom, I. (1995). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy, 4th ed. New York: Basic Books. AND

American Counseling Association. (1995). Code of ethics and standards of practice. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.

B. Web Resources:

Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice

APA's Division 49's journal publishes papers on the scientific study of group dynamics and the application of that scientific understanding in applied settings.



ASGW Web Page

The Association for Specialists in Group Work web page provides resources for practitioners.



Journal for Specialists in Group Work

Official journal of the Association for Specialists in Group Work, a division of the American Counseling Association. Features include original research papers, editorials, historical pieces, and works on training and practice. Visitors can search recent issues of the journal.



Tavistock Institute

Formed in 1947, the Tavistock Institute is an independent not-for-profit organization that aims at helping those interested in group dynamics to combine research in the social sciences with professional practice. The organization publishes the journal Human Relations and is primarily concerned with change at the organizational rather than the individual level.



Duquesne University Counselor Education Program



V. COURSE EXPECTATIONS

A. A student’s continued enrollment in this course indicates her/his informed consent to participate actively in class discussions, activities and presentations described in this syllabus. During class, you will be asked to participate in a variety of experiential activities designed to facilitate your exploration of your personal process in a group work setting. While these activities are used as educational experiences, they frequently involve real issues for the participants. Therefore, you are expected to treat each class as a therapeutic group experience in terms of your sensitivity to your colleagues and respect for the confidentiality of the information disclosed. Because learning in this class is based on constructivist learning theory, meaning that you are responsible for constructing your own learning, active participation is required. If you are unable to attend or unwilling to participate in a specific activity, you may opt out. However, you will need to make an appointment with the instructor to discuss your decision and arrange an alternative experience.

B. The assigned reading for this course includes Gladding, S.T. Group Work: A Counseling Specialty and all class handouts. If you choose to use one of the alternative texts, you will need to align the readings with the sequence of material in this course. Assigned readings for each class are noted on the course schedule and should be completed prior to that class in order to support class discussions.

C. Completion of examinations. The midterm examination will cover the content presented in class and in Gladding’s text, chapters 1 – 10. The final examination will cover the information in the student presentations and chapters 11 - 18 of the Gladding text. Both exams will contain, primarily, multiple choice questions. This is what you will see on the NCE.

D. Completion of a group assignment. There will be at least five (5) student groups

organized. Each will be assigned one of the theoretical perspectives that inform group leadership found in the Gladding text, Part Three (Chapters 15 – 18).

Each group will prepare a class presentation and a 1-page Study Guide (copy for each student) addressing the following questions:

1. What are the expected and desired outcomes of groups according to this theory?

2. What is the role of the group leader and techniques supported by this

approach to group work?

3. What are some of the contributions and limitations of this approach to group work?

Finally, each group will conduct a real or simulated demonstration of a psychoeducation or counseling group session that demonstrates the principles of the theoretical orientation assigned to the group.

E. Completion of an individual assignment. The individual assignment for this course is a paper contrasting two of the approaches to group work described in the Gladding text. The first theoretical orientation will be the approach your group presents in class, the other is your selection. The paper should be 5-10 pages in length; conform to the APA Style Manual and cite appropriate references, including at least two relevant professional journal articles. This paper should:

1. Compare/contrast the basic assumptions or key concepts of these approaches to group work: how are the approaches similar … how are they different?

2. Discuss the role of the group leader and the use of technique from the perspective of each approach. Again… similarities and differences should be emphasized.

3. Explain how these approaches influence you as a group counselor, e.g. your leadership style, how you perceive member behavior, your expectations, etc.

VI. STUDENT EVALUATION

The final course grade is a letter grade based on the examinations (25 points each), group assignment (20 points), individual assignment (20 points), and the instructor’s evaluation of student engagement/participation (10 points). The point range for an A = 90 - 100; B = 80 - 89; C = 70 - 79; < 70=I. Plus/minus grading may be used at the discretion of the instructor.

VII. INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS

Students with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations, as determined by the institution, after proper documentation of the disability has been received. At Duquesne University, the Office of Freshman Development and Special Student Services, located in room 309 Duquesne Union (412-396-6657), is responsible for determining reasonable accommodations and for assisting students in communicating these to faculty. Students should notify the faculty member, at the beginning of the term, if any reasonable accommodations are needed. Students need to be registered with the Office of Freshman Development and Special Student Services. Before accommodations will be granted, the faculty member should receive a memo confirming the recommendations for reasonable accommodations from the Office of Freshman Development and Special Student Services. The purpose for implementing reasonable accommodations is to allow for equal opportunity for students with disabilities. It is the student's responsibility to demonstrate that the cognitive, behavioral and professional competencies have been acquired to a satisfactory degree in order for successful completion of the course.

It is the responsibility of the student to maintain academic integrity with regard to class assignments, exams, and any other course requirements. Thus cheating, plagiarism, and knowingly assisting another to violate academic integrity are all violations of academic integrity. Violations of academic integrity are subject to disciplinary action, including lowering or failing grades, suspension/dismissal from class or the University.

VIII. COURSE EVALUATION

Students will be asked to evaluate the course in relation to the stated objectives and their instructional experience. They will be invited to do so orally and/or in writing. The University TEQ’s may be administered.

IX. COURSE CONTENT & SCHEDULE

Session Date Topic Read Prior to Class

1 1/14 Introduction to Course and Group Work

2 1/21 Group Dynamics & Process 1, 2, 3

3 1/28 Therapeutic Factors in Groups

4 2/4 Group Stages and Tasks: Forming 5

5 2/11 Group Stages and Tasks: Storming 6

6 2/18 Group Stages and Tasks: Working 7

7 2/25 Group Stages and Tasks: Ending 8

8 3/4 Spring Break – No Classes

3/11 Midterm Exam 1-10

Group Leadership: Skills & Techniques 4

9 3/18 Ethical/Cultural Considerations 9, 10

10 3/25 Groups, Theory & Techniques 15 -

Presentation:

11 4/1 Groups, Theory & Techniques

Presentation:

12 4/8 Groups, Theory & Techniques

Presentation:

13 4/15 Groups, Theory & Techniques

Presentation:

14 4/22 Groups, Theory & Techniques - 18

Presentation:

Individual Assignment Due

15 4/29 Synthesis & Final Exam 11-18

Note: This Schedule is tentative and may be adjusted during the course.

X. Conceptual Matrix: Group Counseling

Objectives LTP1 PDE E&SSC2 CACREP3

A. Professional Knowledge D, SC, MP 1-4, 11, 12 II K 6f, g

B. Group Stages L, MP, SC 4, 7, 12 II K 6a

C. Group Process D, MP, LT 4 II K 6a

D. Group Skills D, SC, MP 3-7 II K 6b,e

E. Group Leadership L, MP, IL 4 II K 6b, c, d, e

F. Ethical & Multicultural D, SC, MP 1-4, 11, 12 II K 6f,g

G. Theory L, D, T, LT 3, 4 II K 6c

Coding for Conceptual Matrix:

1. Leading Teacher Program

These are the Domains and Themes that form the Conceptual Framework for all programs offered in the Duquesne University School of Education. The concept of teacher is expanded to include anyone from whom a person learns.

Domains:

1. Learning Theorist (LT)

2. Curriculum Designer (CD)

3. Expert School Context (SC)

4. Master Practitioner (MP)

Themes:

1. Leadership (L)

2. Diversity (D)

3. Technology (T)

5. Instructional Leader (IL)

2. Pennsylvania Department Of Education

The PDE has identified specific standards for the training of future Elementary School Counselors (ESC) and Secondary School Counselors (SSC).

3. Council For The Accreditation Of Counseling And Related Educational Programs

CACREP has identified general standards for the training of all entry level personnel into the counseling profession.

XI. Student Information & Consent (complete & return by 3rd class session)

I have read and understand the expectations and requirements for 557. Group Counseling as outlined in this syllabus, in particular the requirement to treat personal information as confidential, and I agree to abide by them.

Print Student’s Name____________________________________ Spring 2009

e-mail ________________________________________________

Phone (home) ________________(work)________________(other)_____________________

Advisor________________________ Counseling Program Major _____________________

Counseling Courses Completed or Taking Concurrently:

Group Lab Time:________________ ______________________________

______________________________ ______________________________

______________________________ ______________________________

______________________________ ______________________________

Student Signature _________________________________________ Date _______________

557. Group Counseling Outcomes:

Midterm (25) ___________

Group Assignment (20) ___________

Individual Assignment (20) ___________

Final (25) ___________

Participation (10) ___________

Total (100) ___________ Grade ___________

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