HUS 3204 - Advanced Group Dynamics

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Fall 2023 (625)

Requisites

Admission to Human Services (Bachelor of Science) (HUMSVC-BS) or
Admission to Applied Mental Health (Advanced Technical Certificate with Financial Aid Eligibility) (AMH-ATC)

Course Description

The purpose of this course is for students to develop skills and techniques for effective group counseling, as well as assuming a leadership role of a therapeutic group. This course will examine organizational, clinical, and interpersonal factors, which contribute to the group’s therapeutic efficacy. This course builds skills necessary for effective group leadership and identifies ethical and professional standards required to lead a therapeutic group.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. Students will examine therapeutic factors inherent in the group therapy process by:
    1. investigating the importance of group cohesiveness.
    2. exploring the factors inherent in groups, which convey a sense of hope for group members.
    3. scrutinizing the factors inherent in groups, which serve as a recapitulation of the primary family for group members.
    4. uncovering the factors inherent in groups, which may lead to therapeutic catharsis for group members.
    5. investigating the factors inherent in groups, which facilitate socializing techniques for group members.
  2. Students will examine interpersonal factors inherent for an effective group therapy process by:
    1. distinguishing conditions necessary to establish a safe and supportive environment for members of the group.
    2. evaluating group member feedback to ensure it is honest and permits effective reality testing for the group member.
  3. Students will analyze different types of groups by:
    1. comparing and contrasting the benefits and challenges of groups that are based on non-diagnosis specific versus diagnosis specific criteria for membership.
    2. equating the benefits and challenges of groups that are on-going versus time duration specific.
    3. comparing the process of transference occurring in therapeutic groups from transference occurring within individual therapy.
  4. The student will examine the essential tasks of an effective group therapist by:
    1. differentiating the criteria for exclusion/inclusion into the group.
    2. writing case notes for group sessions/members.
    3. investigating how factors such as length of time, physical location, and the size of the group impact the therapeutic process.
    4. discriminating effective techniques for managing inappropriate behavior from patients such as silence, boredom, help-rejection, psychosis, and monopolizing group time.
    5. distinguishing between in-patient and out-patient groups.
  5. Students will distinguish the professional and ethical standards necessary to lead a psychotherapy group by:
    1. exploring standards for clinical supervision.
    2. investigating the effects of culture and ethnicity on group membership.
    3. discriminating ethical standards for leading psychotherapy groups.
    4. applying the use of technology to effectively facilitate an online/video-based group.
    5. identifying skills necessary to effectively co-lead a group.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Fall 2023 (625)

Related Programs

  1. Applied Mental Health (AMH-ATC) (660) (Active)
  2. Human Services (HUMSVC-BS) (640) (Active)