Group CLS 6805.01

1. Group CLS 6805.01 Chapters 4 & 5

2. Course Competencies • Applying group dynamics and processes • Evaluating ethical and professional guidelines for professional group leaders • Selecting appropriate interventions for members who present common patterns such as fear, anger, and/or violence • Selecting therapeutic responses when working with cultural diversity among group members • Demonstrating leadership skills in both group maintenance and group facilitation • Interpreting the progression of group stages and the relationships among group members

3. Course Competencies • Managing assessments of group members for use in selection of members for planning specific strategies and techniques • Illustrating proper administrative procedures for group counselors or therapists including effective documentation • Discerning when group counseling is appropriate or is preferred as treatment modality • Providing and synthesizing the exchange of feedback between self and other leaders and group members

4. Stages of Group Development • Pregroup • Initial stage • Transition stage • Working stage • Final stage • Postgroup

5. Stage 1:Forming a Group • Pregroup Issues • Announcing a group, recruiting members • Rationale for screening group members • Individual interview • Group interview • Written questionnaire

6. Stage 1: Forming a Group • Formation of a Group • Open vs. closed groups • Voluntary vs. involuntary membership • Homogeneous vs. heterogeneous groups • Group size • Frequency & length of meetings • Short-term vs. long-term groups

7. Stage 1: Forming a Group • Pre-group (initial) meeting • Explore with members: expectations, fears, goals, misconceptions, group process, psychological risks, guidelines, norms • Multicultural considerations • Goals and purposes of the groups should be appropriate for the cultural context of clients with diverse backgrounds

8. Stage 2: Initial Stage of Group • Stage characteristics • Getting acquainted • Inclusion & identity • Trust • Learning norms, attitudes, behaviors • Group leader roles • Modeling attitudes, behaviors • Assist in identifying goals • Division of responsibility • Providing structure: too much vs. too little

9. Stage 3: Transition Stage • Stage characteristics • anxiety • Conflict & struggle for control • Challenging the group leader • resistance • Group leader roles • Teach importance of recognizing & expressing anxieties, reluctances • Dealing with conflicts & resistance • Monitor own reactions

10. Stage 4: Working Stage • Stage characteristics • Developing group cohesion & productivity • Characteristics of an effective working group • Meaningful interaction in a here & now focus • Readily identify goals & concerns • Willing to work & practice outside group • Feel included, participate in productive work, take responsibility • Group leader roles • Model & reinforce appropriate behavior • Look for common themes; interpret

11. Therapeutic Factors of a Group • Trust and acceptance • Empathy and caring • Intimacy • Hope • Freedom to experiment • Catharsis • Cognitive restructuring • Commitment to change • Self-disclosure • Confrontation • Feedback

12. Stage 5: Consolidation & Termination • Stage characteristics • Dealing with feelings regarding separation • Completing unfinished business • Giving & receiving feedback • Evaluating impact of group experience • Group leader roles • Reinforce changes members have made • Assist in transferring skills & developing action plans

13. Stage 6: Evaluation & Follow-Up • Postgroup issues • Evaluating the process and outcomes of a group • Follow-up group session • Individual follow-up sessions