STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

         A.      Demonstrate an understanding of group process.

         B.      Gain a knowledge of various types of groups.

         C.      Identify the stages that typically evolve over the life of a group.

         D.      Understand group work as it applies to multi-cultural populations

         E.      Recognize and apply the techniques of attending, focusing and summarizing.

         F.      Demonstrate knowledge of the skill of information seeking.

         G.      Learn the components of successful contract negotiation.

         H.      Describe and apply the terms, modeling, starting, gatekeeping and ¿responding to feeling¿.

         I.      Gain skill in the application and technique of confrontation.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      Perspectives on Group Process and Practice

         A.      Focus questions

         B.      Theory behind the practice

         C.      Overview of various types of groups

         D.      Group leadership

         E.      Trends in group work

 II.     Ethical and Professional Guidelines for Group Leaders

         A.      Professional competence and training

         B.      Ethical issues in group membership

         C.      Confidentiality

         D.      Community and legal standards

         E.      Uses and abuses of group techniques

         F.      The role of the leader¿s values

         G.      Ethical Principles for Group Leaders

 III.    Stages of Group Development

         A.      Initial Stage of a Group

                 1.      Introductions

                 2.      Identifying goals

                 3.      Creating trust

         B.      Transition Stage of a Group

                 1.      Resistance

                 2.      Problem Behaviors

                 3.      Effective Leadership

                 4.      Transference and Countertransference

                 5.      Group Characteristics

         C.      Working Stage of a Group

                 1.      Characteristics of the working stage

                 2.      Therapeutic factors that operate in groups

                 3.      Research implication for the working stage

                 4.      Co-leader issues

         D.      Ending a Group

                 1.      Tasks of the final stage

                 2.      Consolidation of learning

                 3.      Working with members¿ fears

                 4.      Termination of a member

                 5.      Termination and Evaluation of group experience

                 6.      Research and Practice in group work

 IV.     Groups for Children

         A.      School counseling program

         B.      Children¿s¿ groups in community agencies

         C.      Guidelines for with working children and adolescents

         D.      The evolution of the group

         E.      Involving Parents

 V.      Groups for Adults

         A.      Theme oriented groups

         B.      Transition groups

         C.      Therapy groups

         D.      Weekend workshops

         E.      Residential groups

 VI.     Groups for the Elderly

         A.      Unique characteristics of the elderly

         B.      Special types of groups

         C.      Program for the institutionalized elderly

         D.      Healthy aging