Valdosta State University

Department of Psychology and Counseling

PSYC/SCHC 7450: Group Counseling

3 Credit Hours

 

REQUIRED TEXTS

1.      Jacobs, E. (1994).  Impact Therapy. Odessa, FL: PAR.

2.      Schneider Corey, M, & Corey, G (2002).  Group Process and Practice (6th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

 

Suggested Text:

Greenberg, K. R. (2003). Group Counseling in K-12 Schools. Boston: Allen and Bacon.

Capuzzi, D. (2003). Approaches to Group Work: A Handbook for Practitioners. Upper Saddle,

NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Group dynamics and their importance in the counseling process and counseling outcome are studied.  Emphasis is given to the application of various counseling and psychotherapeutic approaches in the group setting. 

 

M.Ed. SCHOOL COUNSELING OUTCOMES

Students will:

1.      describe the principles of group dynamics including group process components, developmental stage theories, group members’ roles and behaviors, and therapeutic factors of group work; (CACREP 6.a.)

2.      define group leadership styles and approaches including characteristic of various types of group leaders and leadership styles; (CACREP 6.b.)

3.      compare and contrast group counseling including commonalties, distinguishing characteristics, and pertinent research and literature; (CACREP 6.c.)

4.      apply group counseling methods including group counselor orientations and behaviors, appropriate selection criteria and methods, and methods of evaluation of effectiveness; (CACREP 6.d)

5.      compare and contrast approaches used for other types of group work, including task groups, focus groups, prevention groups, support groups, psychoeducational groups, and therapy groups; (CACREP 6.e)

6.      describe the professional preparation standards for group leaders. (CACREP 6.f)

7.      apply ethical and legal considerations related to group work. (CACREP 6.g)

 

M.S. CLINICAL COUNSELING OUTCOME

1.      The prospective group counselor will learn to appreciate the great diversity of individuals likely to enter group counseling and how to address those differences in an appropriate manner. 

2.      The prospective group counselor will come to understand both individual and group motivation and interact ional patterns to create a counseling environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement, and intrinsic motivation. 

3.      The prospective counselor will learn to use effective verbal and non-verbal communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in group counseling sessions.

4.      The prospective group counselor will learn the value of ongoing and frequent self-evaluation and will learn to seek out frequent opportunities for professional growth and development. 

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1.      Students will demonstrate group counseling skills by preparing and conducting a group exercise.

2.      Students will demonstrate group counseling skills and concepts including ethical considerations by completing a conducting groups in a school setting.

3.      Students will demonstrate an understanding of group concepts by completing a group proposal that will be presented to the class.

4.      Students will participate in an experiential group counseling experience to apply knowledge base

5.      Students will complete two examinations that allow the students to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the knowledge base.

 

ACTIVITIES and REQUIREMENTS

Activities:

1.      Lecture

2.      Discussion

3.      Movies

4.      Group Exercises

5.      Experiential Group (see activity outline)

6.      Field Experience

 

Requirements:

Group Exercise:  Students will develop and conduct two (2) group exercises to facilitate as a group leader in class. Students will hand in a 2-3 pages report of the exercise (see format attached). A copy of the report needs to be provided to each student in the class or sent via email.

 

Group Counseling Proposal: Students will develop a proposal for a counseling group. (See attached outline for specifics). SCHC students - the 5 – 7 pages group proposal must be completed for a K-12 school setting and included in your portfolio (e.g., Newcomers, Divorce, Anger Management, Study Skills, Social Skills, or Grief Group.) PSYC students – the group proposal must be completed for mental health or community/agency counseling setting (e.g., Adolescents Substance Abusers, Survivors, Juvenile Delinquents, Eating Disorders, Women, or Career/Job Readiness Group). A 15 – 20 minutes PowerPoint presentation is required.

 

Research and Presentation: Students will work in small groups or individually. Each group will choose a topic of interest relevant to group counseling from the textbook, research it drawing from at least three professional journal articles, and develop a presentation to display to the class using Power Point technology. The presentation will develop so that it can be submitted to an appropriate professional conference for consideration. A paper that must be at least 5 pages in length, which includes an introduction of the topic, a complete discussion of the topic including history and recent trends, a review of the literature, your conclusions, and a reference page, will be handed in on the date of your presentation. A hard copy of the paper plus a diskette with the paper and the Power Point presentation will be submitted to the instructor. Each group’s presentation will be 40 – 45 minutes in length. (See attached outline for specifics).

 

Field Experience: Student will complete a 30-hour field experience in the school setting (SCHC students) or mental health/community/agency counseling setting (PSYC students). The focus of the field experience will be small group work and classroom guidance.

 

Exam I, II: Students will complete two (2) exams covering materials from the textbook and class lectures.

 

All PAPERS are to be written using APA 5th edition writing style.

 

All PAPERS will be emailed to each group member prior to the presentation.

 

COURSE EVALUATION

Evaluation Instruments/Methods

Schedule of Evaluation

            Exam I: February 18th

            Exam II: April 15th

            Group Exercise: As assigned

            Presentation: April 1st and 8th  

            Proposal Presentation: April 22nd and 29th

 

Grading Scale

1.   Group exercise                               20% (10% each)         

2.      Proposal                                         20%                                         90 – 100% = A

3.      Presentation                                    15%                                         80 – 89%   = B

4.      Exam I                                           15%                                         70 – 79%   = C

5.      Exam II                                          15%                                         60 – 69%   = D

6.      Field Experience                             15%                                      Below 60%  = F

___________________________________

Total                                                   100%

 

INSTRUCTOR

Karen D. Thompson, Ph.D., NCC, LPC, Assistant Professor

Department of Psychology and Counseling

Office: Psychology Building Rm 3

Telephone: 259-2078 or 333-5930

Email: karowlan@valdosta.edu

Office Hours: Monday 11:30 – 1:30PM, Tuesday 3 – 5PM, Wednesday and Thursday 10 – 1PM,

Friday by appointment only.

 

DATE AND TIME OF FINAL EXAM

Proposal presentation is the final:

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Valdosta State University policy requires class attendance. A student who misses more than 20% of the scheduled classes of a course will be subject to receiving a failing grade in the course.

 

 

SPECIAL NEEDS STATEMENT

Valdosta State University, in accordance with the Americans Disabilities Act, will make arrangements for students who require special assistance due to a disability. If you require some assistance, do not hesitate to advise the instructor. Additionally, if you are not registered with Special Services Programs, you must contact the Special Services Office in Nevens Hall, or call 245-2498.

 

M.S. Clinical Counseling

Outcome

Activity

Assessment

The prospective group counselor will learn to appreciate the great diversity of individuals likely to enter group counseling and how to address those differences in an appropriate manner. 

 

Lecture

Discussion

Group Exercise

Experiential Group

Exam I

Exam II

Proposal

Presentation

The prospective group counselor will come to understand both individual and group motivation and interact ional patterns to create a counseling environment that encourages positive Social interaction, active engagement, and intrinsic

Motivation.

 

Lecture

Discussion

Group Exercises

Experiential Group

Movie

Exam I

Exam II

Proposal

The prospective counselor will learn to use effective verbal and non-verbal communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in group counseling sessions.

 

 

Lecture

Group Exercises

Experiential Group

Group Exercise

Proposal

Exam I

Exam II

The prospective group counselor will learn the value of ongoing and frequent self-evaluation and will learn to seek out frequent opportunities for professional growth and development. 

Lecture

Group exercise

Experiential Group

Discussion

Group Exercise

Exam I

Exam II

M.Ed. School Counseling Outcomes

Outcome

Activity

Assessment

describe the principles of group dynamics including group process components, developmental stage theories, group members’ roles and behaviors, and therapeutic factors of group work; (CACREP 6.a.)

Lecture

Discussion

Group Exercises

Movie

 

Exam I

Exam II

Proposal

define group leadership styles and approaches including characteristic of various types of group leaders and leadership styles; (CACREP 6.b.)

Lecture

Discussion

Experiential Group

Movie

 

 

Exam I

Proposal

Group Exercise

compare and contrast group counseling including commonalties, distinguishing characteristics, and pertinent research and literature; (CACREP 6.c.)

Lecture

Discussion

 

Exam I

Exam II

Proposal

 

apply group counseling methods including group counselor orientations and behaviors, appropriate selection criteria and methods, and methods of evaluation of effectiveness;

(CACREP 6.d)

 

 

Lecture

Discussion

Group Exercises

Experiential Group

Exam II

Proposal

Group Exercise

Field Experience

compare and contrast approaches used for other types of group work, including task groups, focus groups, prevention groups, support groups, psychoeducational groups, and therapy groups; (CACREP 6.e)

Lecture

Discussion

Experiential Group

Exam II

Presentation

Proposal

describe the professional preparation standards for group leaders;(2CACREP 6.f)

Lecture

Discussion

 

Exam I

 

Apply ethical and legal considerations related to group work; (CACREP 6.g)

Lecture

Discussion

Experiential Group

Group Exercises

Exam I

Exam II

Proposal

Field Experience

Tentative Class Schedule

 

Date                                                                                         Assignment

 

January 14                                            Introduction to Course & Chapter 1: Introduction to Group Work (C & C); Introduction to Impact Therapy (J)

 

January 21                                            Chapter 2: The Group Counselor (C & C); The 5 “Ts” of

                                                            Impact Therapy (J)

 

January 28                                            Chapter 3: Ethical & Legal Issues in Group Work (C & C);

Ways to Have Impact (J) Outside Group begins

 

February 4                                           Chapter 4: Forming a Group (C & C); Rapport (J)

 

February 11                                         Chapter 5: Initial Stage of a Group (C & C); Contract (J)

 

February 18                                         Examination I

 

February 25                                         Chapter 6: Transition Stage of a Group (C & C); Focus (J)

 

March 4                                               Chapter 7: Working Stage of a Group (C & C); Funnel (J)

 

March 11                                             Chapter 8: Ending a Group (C & C); Ch. 8 & 9: Leading

                                                            Groups (J)

 

March 18                                             Presentation – Groups 1 & 2: Group Counseling for                                                                       Children; Group Counseling for Adolescents

 

March 25                                             ACA Conference, Outside Group meeting

 

April 1                                                  SPRING BREAK

 

April 8                                                  Presentation – Groups 3 & 4: Group Counseling for                                                                       Adults; Group Counseling for the Elderly

Outside Group Ends

 

April 15                                                Examination II

 

April 22                                                Group Proposal and Presentation

 

April 29                                                Group Proposal and Presentation

                                                            ALL assignment on disc and Field Experience are due.

 

 

 

 

 

Group Proposal Format

 

I.                   Group Participants (a description of the target population describing the characteristics and identified needs of the participants).

 

II.                Group Goals and Objectives (SCHC students will use ASCA’s standards and competencies from their Vision into Action textbook).

 

III.             Type of Membership (closed, open, number and composition of members, screening/selection procedures, etc.)

 

IV.              Role of the Leader/Co-leaders

 

V.                 Theoretical Approach (SCHC students will use Reality Therapy)

 

VI.              Format (length of group, weekly/daily meetings)

 

VII.           Group Rules (those established by leader/s, and/or by students and leaders)

 

VIII.        Group Session Plan (plan for 4 – 6 sessions)

a.       Theme or Focus

b.      Goal and Objective

c.       Description of the Activity (include techniques to be used)

d.      Leader/Co-leaders’ roles and responsibilities

e.       Evaluation

 

IX.              Appropriate Forms and Materials (describe or include any forms used and materials needed).

 

X.                 Evaluation of Group (method for determining the outcome of the group).

 

Group Exercise Format

 

I.                    Group Exercise Description (define and describe the activity, include a rationale for group structure, identify the stage of the group and how the activity fits with the group stage, and theoretical approach – SCHC students use Reality Therapy).

 

II.                 Goals and Objectives (SCHC students use ASCA’s standards and Competencies)

 

III.               Materials Needed

 

IV.              Activity Instruction (instructions for conducting the activity and process questions – at least three)

 

V.                 Role of Leader (describe the leader techniques and skills used).

 

VI.              Personal Reflection (reflect on how you think the activity went, how you felt as a leader including your strengths and areas to work on, and group members participation).

Group Presentation Outline

 

Students will work in small groups or individually to develop a presentation to follow the outline below:

 

1.                  Introduction

2.                  Review of relevant literature

a.       theory

b.      research

c.       practice

3.                  Description/Explanation of topic (as presented in textbook)

4.                  Multicultural Counseling considerations

5.                  Group Techniques and Activities    

6.                  Class exercise relevant to the topic

7.                  Conclusion      

8.                  Handout for the class

 

Each group or individual will make copies of their presentation and proposal on a computer disk and email them to each student in the classroom.

 

Topics

 

Taken directly from the course textbook

 

1.      Group Counseling for Children  - presentation date: April 1st

2.      Group Counseling for Adolescents - presentation date: April 1st

3.      Group Counseling for Adults - presentation date: April 8th

4.      Group Counseling for the Elderly - presentation date: April 8th

 

Group Counseling Field Experience

 

Students will spend 30 hours engaged in small group counseling and/or large group (classroom) guidance in an appropriate site approved by the instructor. The instructor will make one site visit to observe the student leading or co-leading a counseling or guidance activity. The date and time of site visit and observation will be arranged between the student, instructor and site supervisor. A copy of the lesson plan will be given to the instructor before the site visit along with directions (from VSU) to the site and the site’s mailing address. Students will be evaluated by the site supervisor for their level of and attitude towards participating in this experience. The completed evaluation form is to be handed or mailed in the instructor by the last day of classes. The lesson plan outline is given below.

 

1.      Name of Activity

2.      Type of Activity

3.      Grade level or age group of participants

4.      Goals (ASCA’s Standards) and Objectives (ASCA’s Competencies)

5.      Description of the Activity

6.      Evaluation of Activity