STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 I.      Articulate the theoretical foundation of groups as a therapeutic approach.

 II.     Identify the content of the profession¿s guidelines regarding misuse of power, sexual intimacies and violation of legal or civil rights of client.

 III.    Describe group dynamics

 IV.     Describe group process

 V.      Describe the rational for how the purpose is determined, at least two methods for screening/selecting members and standard logistics of location and duration.

 VI.     Differentiate between the stages of group development by the characteristics and dynamics exhibited by group members and appropriate leadership interventions with an awareness of common facilitator mistakes.

 VII.    Demonstrate effective use of typical group leadership interventions

 VIII.   Demonstrate appropriate use of exercises/activities.

 IX.     Differentiate between the two therapeutic goals of process goals and outcome goals and the advantages and disadvantages of homogeneous and heterogeneous grouping.

 X       Identify concerns related to parental consent, confidentiality, working with parents and teachers, topical subject areas and activities that pertain specifically to leading children¿s groups.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      Overview of Group Work

         A.      Theoretical Foundation

                 1.      Psychotherapeutic Approaches

                 2.      Application of Psychotherapeutic Approaches

         B.      Types of Groups

                 1.      Therapeutic Groups

                 2.      Characteristic of Groups

 II.     Group Leadership/Facilitation

         A.      Professional Competence and Training

         B.      Ethical Issues

         C.      Ethical and Legal Standards

         D.      Co-facilitator/leader

 III.    Dynamics and Process

         A.      Group Dynamics

                 1.      Curative Factors and Therapeutic Forces

                 2.      Interpersonal Patterning

         B.      Group Process

                 1.      Characteristics of Stages

                 2.      Variances in Special Populations

 IV.     Planning

         A.      Planning and Group Formation

         B.      Individual Session¿s

 V.      Stages of Group Development

         A.      Initial

         B.      Transition

         C.      Working

         D.      Ending

 VI.     Basic Skills for Leaders

         A.      Interpersonal (Human Relation Type) Skills

         B.      Use of Leadership Intervention

         C.      Exercises

         D.      Problem Behaviors

 VII.    Therapy in Groups

         A.      Purpose and Goals

         B.      One-to-one Therapy in a Group

         C.      Therapy in a Nontherapy Group

 VIII.   Special Population

         A.      Children

         B.      Adolescents

         C.      Couples

         D.      Elderly

         E.      Chemically Dependent

         F.      Clients with Chronic Diseases of Disabilities