Graduate Studies in Counseling SYLLABUS COUN 6103 Group Dynamics and Group Counseling Instructor and Contact Info: Name: Frank Scott, Ph.D., LPC-MHSP Email: frank.scott@lipscomb.edu Office: University Counseling Center, Elam Basement Phone: 966-6294 Course Description: An introduction to group counseling techniques, the advantages and limitations of group counseling and group work, opportunities and challenges unique to this format and effective strategies for maximizing group effectiveness. Prerequisite: PSG 5103 Course Objectives: STANDARD OBJECTIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCE ASSESSMENT CORE II.G.6.A. Instruction on the therapeutic factors of participation points group counseling, group counseling experience CORE II.G.6.B. CORE II.G.6.C. CORE II.G.6.D. CORE II.G.6.E. Principles of group dynamics, including group process components, developmental stage theories, group members roles and behaviors, and therapeutic factors of group work Group leadership or facilitation styles and approaches, including characteristics of various types of group leaders and leadership styles theories of group counseling, including commonalities, distinguishing characteristics, and pertinent research and literature Group counseling methods, including group counselor orientations and behaviors, appropriate selection criteria and methods, and methods of evaluation of effectiveness Direct experiences in which students participate as group members in a small group activity, approved by the program, for a minimum of 10 clock hours over the course of one academic term. Instruction on basic tasks of group therapy, leading a group session in class Class discussion on differing theories based on Corey book Leading a group session based on assigned theory Group therapy presentations based on assigned theory in which students participate by leading their classmates participation points, test test, class presentations participation points participation points, class presentations
Required Reading: Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy. (5th Ed ed.). Basic Books (AZ). ISBN-13: 978-0465092840 Supplemental Reading: Corey, G. (2012). Theory and practice of group counseling. (8 ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Pub Co. ISBN-13: 978-0840033864 Course Expectations: Attendance Regular class attendance is expected of each student. The classroom experience is considered an integral part of the institution s educational program. Students who miss a significant amount of class time are subject to failure. Students who expect to miss class should consult with their teachers in advance and additional assignments may be required to compensate for the missed classes. Class Schedule Disruption Policy Except in the rarest of instances, Lipscomb University does not cancel classes or close offices. However, should an event (weather-related or otherwise) occur that requires disruption of the entire Lipscomb University class schedule, students will be notified via multiple venues including the Lipscomb homepage (www.lipscomb.edu), a text message sent through LU ALERT (http://lualert.lipscomb.edu), and the Lipscomb Weather Information Line (966-1836). For information on possible snow-related closures or late starts, students should consult local television stations (2-WKRN, 4-WSMV, 5- WTVF and 6-WZTV, and Channel 9 on campus). Students should look for information regarding Lipscomb University, not David Lipscomb Campus Schools. If the LU supervisor is unable to reach campus for weather related reasons, then an email will be sent to the class at least 1 hour prior to the normal start time. Student s Responsibility for Notification of Extended Absence In the case of individual absences, students should contact their supervisors directly. However, students who find themselves in circumstances which would cause them to miss meetings/practicum for an extended period of time should contact your supervisor immediately. When necessary, Steve Prewitt, Associate Provost for Student Academic Support, (steve.prewitt@lipscomb.edu; 615-966-5804) will be notified for any assistance as well. LU Code of Student Conduct Because Lipscomb s primary mission is to integrate Christian faith and practice with academic excellence, integrity is important in this course. Your LU supervisor will deal with each student fairly and honestly. As students, you are expected to do your own work on all assignments unless expressly indicated that collaboration is allowed on a specific assignment. Penalties for integrity violations will range from failure on the assignment involved to failure in the course. The instructor also reserves the right to report violations to members of the administration. For clarification, refer to the Graduate Student Handbook, University s Code of Conduct (http://campuslife.lipscomb.edu/content.asp?sid=41&cid=306) and Academic Integrity Policy (http://academics.lipscomb.edu/content.asp?cid=5329&sid=12).
Assignments: Examinations: The format for the mid-term and final will be multiple choice, short answer and/or essay. Exams must be taken at regularly scheduled times unless there is an acceptable reason for missing the test. Exams will include material from the text as well as related material from class discussions, lectures, and handouts. (100 points each) Group Participation: Students will be expected to participate in class group experience. Points will not be assigned based on the content or quantity of personal disclosure. (50 points) Journal: Students will be required to submit journal entries following group experiences. These should focus on oneself and one s own personal reactions (introspection) and not on content. There will be a one week window following a class period in which you can respond. (50 points) Reading Assignments: There will be chapters to read from Yalom s book on groups. Students should respond within a 1-2 page paper on What did I learn? This is due by the next class meeting. (10 points each) Group presentation: Students will present information on an approach to group counseling and then lead a class group from that theoretical orientation. (100 points) Evaluation/Grading Midterm exam: 100 points Final Exam: 100 points Group Participation: 50 points Class Presentation: 100 points Journal: 50 points Reading Assignments: 100 points Grading Scale: A = 90.0% of points or better B = 80.0 to 89.9% of points C = 70.0 to 79.9% of points F = less than 70.0% of points
Course Schedule: DATE TOPIC ACTIVITIES** DUE Week 1 Introductions, syllabus, housekeeping Discussion Topics: Jan 7 o How the class will be structured o Attendance policy Week 2 Therapeutic factors Discussion Topics: Yalom Chapter 1 Jan 14 Introduction to group work 7 Therapeutic factors Yalom reflection #1 o Instillation of hope Assigned Corey Reading o Universality o Imparting information o Altruism o Corrective recapitulation of primary family group o Development of socializing techniques o Imitative behavior Week 3 Interpersonal learning Discussion Topics: Journal #1 Jan 28 o Importance of interpersonal relationships Yalom Chapter 2 o The corrective emotional experience Yalom reflection #2 o The group as a social microcosm o Transference and insight Week 4 Feb 4 Week 5 Feb 11 Group cohesiveness Discussion Topics: o Importance of group cohesiveness and how to achieve that An integration of the therapeutic factors Discussion Topics: o The client s view o The difference between the client s and the therapist s view Journal #2 (Psychoanalytic) Yalom Chapter 3 Yalom reflection #3 Journal #3 (Adlerian) Yalom Chapter 4 Yalom reflection #4 Week 6 Basic tasks of therapist Discussion Topics: Journal #4 (Psychodrama) Feb 18 Group Leadership o Creation and maintenance of group Yalom Chapter 5 o Culture building Yalom reflection #5 o Group norms Assigned Corey Reading o Group leadership skills Week 7 Process of therapy Discussion Topics: Journal #5 (Existential)
Feb 25 o Working in the here-and-now o Process illumination o Use of the past Week 8 Transference and Transparency Discussion Topics: March 4 The selection of clients o Transference within the group Ethical and Professional Issues in Group o Therapist and transparency Practice o Criteria for exclusion and inclusion Week 9 Mach 11 Week 10 March 25 Week 11 April 1 Week 12 April 8 Week 13 April 15 Week 14 April 22 Week 15 April 29 Composition of therapy groups Creation of the group Beginning the group process The advanced group The Psychoanalytic approach The Adlerian approach The Psychodrama approach The Existential approach The Person-Centered approach The Gestalt approach The CBT approach The REBT approach The Solution-Focused approach Discussion Topics: o Duration and frequency of meetings o Prediction of group behavior Discussion Topics: o Formative stages of the group o The impact of clients on group development o Conflict in the therapy group o Self-disclosure o Termination Yalom Chapter 6 Yalom reflection #6 Journal #6 (Personcentered) Yalom Chapters 7 and 8 Yalom reflection #7 Assigned Corey Reading MIDTERM EXAM Yalom Chapters 9 and 10 Yalom reflection #8 Journal #7 (Gestalt) Yalom Chapters 11 and 12 Yalom reflection #9 Journal #8 (CBT) Overall Yalom Reflection #10 Assigned Corey Reading Presentations Day 1 Journal #9 (REBT) Assigned Corey Reading Presentations Day 2 Journal #10 (Solutionfocused) Assigned Corey Reading Presentations Day 3 FINAL EXAM