Theories and Techniques of Group Counseling
Longwood University
Counseling 605
Summer 2010
Instructor: Wayne R. O’Brien, Ph.D.
Email: obrienwr@longwood.edu
Office Phone: 434-395-2409
Office: Counseling Center, Health and Fitness Center (South Entrance)
Office Hours: MTWR 11:00-12:00, other times by appointment
Any student who needs accommodations based on a disability should schedule an
appointment with me.
I.
Course Description: An exploration of a variety of theoretical approaches and their
application to the process of group counseling.
Text: Jacobs, E.E., R.L. Harvill, and R.L. Masson 2006 (6th Edition) Group
Counseling: Strategies and Skills. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.
II. Course Objectives:
1. Obtain an understanding of group dynamics and group processes
2. Obtain a clear understanding of the uses of groups in the counseling process
3. Become familiar with tasks and approaches to group formation and member
selection
4. Obtain an understanding of the importance of initial group meetings in
establishing the tone, purpose, and goals of the group
5. Obtain an understanding of group counseling as a sequential process
6. Become familiar with a variety of special problems associated with group process
7. Become skilled in appropriate leadership styles and effective leadership skills
8. Become familiar with a variety of skills associated with group counseling
9. Become competent in a variety of experiential techniques used in group
counseling
10. Become skilled at using these techniques at appropriate junctures in the group
experience
11. Become skilled at successfully terminating a group experience
12. Demonstrate an appreciation of the importance of a supportive and productive
environment to the group process
13. Demonstrate a commitment to appropriate professional behavior when interacting
with colleagues and clients
14. Demonstrate a commitment to professional development and self-care
III.
Course Requirements:
1. Obtain and read the required text. Please arrive on time.
2. Review Paper: Critique of one recent (past 2000) journal article on group
counseling in the student’s program area. Critique to include: summary
of main points, student’s evaluation of the conclusions and/or
recommendations drawn by the author(s), specific applicability of
information to student’s professional development, and a copy of the
article critiqued.
Due (Typed) on 7-8-08. No late submissions will be accepted.
3. Group Activities – Each student will lead the class in two group activities
as group leader, with the class as group members.
4. Group Leadership – Each student will conduct one half-hour group session
as group leader, with class as group members.
5. Group observation – Each student will be required to attend, observe, and
evaluate a group (1 session) that meets in his/her community and of which
he/she is not a member (e.g. leadership styles, strategies, skills etc.). Due
(Typed) on 7-8-08. No late submissions will be accepted.
6. Course Summary – Each student will submit and defend a summary of
what he/she considers to be the critical components of the course content.
What did the student learn that will help him/her conduct groups? Due
(Typed) on 7-9-08. No late submissions will be accepted.
IV.
Grading
Review Paper
Group Activity
Group Leadership
Observation Paper
Course Summary
Grade Scale: A:
B:
C:
F:
15 points
20 points
30 points
10 points
25 points
100 points
93-100
84-92
75-83
Below 75
Honor Code:
Students are expected to follow the Longwood University Honor Code as
described in the current Longwood Catalog and Student Handbook.
Electronic Devices: Be sure to turn off cell phones and pagers during class time.
VI.
Attendance: attendance at all classes is expected.
VII.
Class Schedule
DATE
June 16
CHAPTERS
Introduction, Group Dynamics, Therapeutic Forces, Group Process
June 17
Planning a Group and Getting Started, Basic Skills
June 18
Purpose and Focus, Cutting Off, Drawing Out, Rounds and Dyads
June 19
Exercises, Introducing, Conducting, Processing
June 23
Leading Middle Session, Closing, Using Theories, Therapy in Group
June 24
Problem Situations, Specific Populations, Issues in Group Work
June 25
Group Activities
June 26
Group Activities
June 30
Group Activities
July 1
Group Activities
July 2
Group Activities
July 3
Group Leadership
July 7
Group Leadership
July 8
Group Leadership – REVIEW PAPER DUE; OBSERVATION PAPER
DUE
July 9
Group Leadership – COURSE SUMMARY DUE
GROUP ACTIVITY
FEEDBACK
EXPLANATION OF PURPOSE/GOALS OF ACTIVITY (2 PTS).
APPROPRIATENESS OF ACTIVITY TO STATED PURPOSE AND TARGET
AUDIENCE (2 PTS).
GROUP LEADERSHIP SKILLS, PRESENTATION STYLE, EFFECTIVENESS
WHILE LEADING ACTIVITY (4 PTS).
GROUP LEADERSHIP SKILLS, PRESENTATION STYLE, EFFECTIVENESS
WHILE PROCESSING ACTIVITY (4PTS).
QUALITY/USEFULNESS OF HANDOUTS (3 PTS).
GROUP LEADERSHIP
APPROPRIATENESS OF TOPIC SELECTION AND PRESENTATION (4PTS)
ATTENTION TO CONTENT (6PTS)
ATTENTION TO PROCESS (6PTS)
MONITORING AND ATTENTION TO INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION
(4PTS)
APPROPRIATE USE OF GROUP LEADERSHIP SKILLS (5PTS)
Books on Reserve
Robyn Dynes
The Non-Competitive Activity Book
Izzy Gesell
Playing Along
J. William Pfeifer
The Encyclopedia of Group Activities
Christian Sandy Stewart
Instant Icebreakers
Alanna Jones
The Wrecking Ball Games and Activities
Warm up and wind down
Handbook of Structured Exercises VOL 1-10