Page |1
University of Lethbridge
School of Health Sciences
Addictions Counseling Program
HLSC 2120 Counseling 11 (Group Counselling)
Course Outline
Fall 2007
Instructor:
Office Hours:
Office:
Phone:
E-mail:
Time and Location:
Steven Thibodeau, PhD, RSW
Tuesday 1:30 – 4:00p or by appointment
AH 110
332-5234
steven.thibodeau@uleth.ca
Lecture: Tuesday
9:25 – 12:05 W565
Lab 1: Monday
Lab 2: Thursday
Lab 3: Monday
Lab Instructors:
9 – 12:50
AH 153
9 – 12:50
AH 153
13:00- 16:50 AH 153
Chris Onslow
Kyler Evans
Course Description:
This course will provide students with exposure to theoretical and practical approaches to group
psychotherapy with addicted populations. This course will place emphasis on theories related to
etiology, treatment modalities and peer oriented groups. The learning experience will be
augmented by viewing and critiquing video sessions of clinical group psychotherapy with
addicted populations. Lectures will centre on knowledge and acquisition of counseling theories,
models of groups psychotherapy, and specific aspects of conducting clinical group
psychotherapy.
Students will be given the opportunity for experiential learning and practicing of techniques in
weekly labs. The focus of the labs will be on the acquisition of group counseling skills coupled
with personal development of the counselor.
Course Objectives:
Group therapy continues to be the most popular and effective form of treatment for substance
abusers.
Upon completion of this course the student will:



Understand theories and concepts relating to group processes, dynamics and
development
Recognize the necessary knowledge and skills required in becoming an effective group
counselor
Understand and appreciate cognitive and behavioral change in the group counseling
process, as both member and facilitator.
Page |2




Develop basic group facilitation skills
Develop appropriate use of group facilitation and presentation skills (cognitive
behavioral, skills based training in social skills, life skills, assertiveness, relaxation,
relapse prevention etc.)
Identify and utilize preferential styles of group facilitation
Acquire knowledge of the continuum of intervention and treatment options available to
clients with substance misuse concerns
Approach to Learning:
Lecture
Lectures will present students with an overview of theories and models of group counseling,
group process, dynamics and development, treatment issues, and group counselor training, all
in a discussion format. Students are expected to deliver a presentation during weeks 11 and
12. A marking scheme of that presentation is provided below.
Labs
The lab portion of this course will provide students with an experiential, hands-on exposure to
the group counseling process. Students will serve both as a group member and as group
facilitator. Emphasis will be placed on developing basic group counseling skills and counselor
development through personal growth experiences within the group context and through
continuing self-reflection Group sessions will be videotaped for the purpose of counselor
reflection.
As participation in the lab is critical to the success of the course, students are permitted only
one absence. Additional absences must be supported by medical documentation.
Required Text:
Philip J. Flores (1995) Group Psychotherapy with Addicted Populations (Second Edition). The
Haworth Press. New York
Description of graded tests and assignments for the lecture:
1) Five In-class test: (25%)
There will be 6 in-class tests. The final grade for this section will be based on the top
five test scores. Tests will usually consist of ten multi-choice, fill in the blank, short
answer and similar type questions. Tests will usually be based on material covered in
the most previous lectures or reading assignments. Each test will be worth 5% of your
total grade.
2) Small Group Presentation: (15%)
During weeks 11 and 12 students will present on one aspect of group psychotherapy;
your presentation may focus on any one of the following themes: preparing the chemical
dependent person for treatment, characteristics of a good leader, resistance,
transference, engagement in a group, effects of gender on the group, selection of clients
Page |3
for groups, screening of clients ~ what to be aware of; inclusion/exclusion in a group, the
importance and practice of debriefing following groups sessions, confrontation in a
group, the role and nature of focal groups.
Students will be paired off in groups of three. Your small group will select a theme from
those listed above or you may select your own with the instructor’s permission (email
your request to the instructor for permission). In addition to presenting to your
classmates on your groups issue as per mark sheet below, each presenter will also be
expected to provide a four page scholarly paper (APA) on one aspect of your
presentation. It is expected that the paper will have some theoretical referencing. Your
paper will be due the day of your presentation.
.
Description of graded assignments for the Lab:
3) Group co-facilitation: (LAB Assignment #1) Videotape and Written Analysis:
(20%)
Each student will co-facilitate the group process of the “check-in” portion of the lab.
While the actual facilitation skills will not be graded, students are expected to submit a 46 page reflective analysis of their experience as a co-facilitator and of the corresponding
group dynamics that were involved. This paper should consist of observations, insights,
and personal feelings regarding skills/techniques used, group member response,
facilitator behavior and effectiveness, challenges and successes, in addition to an
integration of counseling theories and concepts learned in the lecture and readings.
Please see the marking sheet to be handed out in class.
4) Psycho-educational Presentation: (20%)
Each student will co-present and co-facilitate a psycho-educational
presentation/exercise
during the learning/focus segment of one lab. The presentation topics will be decided on
in
collaboration between the two co-facilitators and will focus on the issue or concern
related to
addictions counseling. A list of potential topics will be provided in class; however
students
may choose their own. The full assignment involves the preparation of a Group Session
Plan
(to be handed in at the beginning of the lab), the psycho-education presentation itself,
and the
debriefing process with group members after the presentation. Students will be graded
on all
three aspects of the assignment.
5) Reflective Journals: (20%)
Students are expected to maintain 2 – 3 journal entries per week throughout the duration
of the course reflection on the lecture, readings, lab content and personal experiences.
Emphasis should be placed on personal growth and self-awareness as a developing
Page |4
counselor. Journals will b handed in tic for making. Journal submission will include an
integration of theory and growing self awareness.
Assignments/Exams, Due Dates and Marks
Lecture: 1) 5 in class tests (5% each)
Due: ongoing
25%
2) Small Group Presentation; with paper: Due: day of presentation 15%
Lab:
3) Group co-facilitation: Videotape and Written Analysis (Assign #1) 20%
4) Psycho-educational Presentation (Assign #2)
20%
5) Reflective Journals (Assign #3)
20%
Grading Breakdown:
The grading system for this course is consistent with that established in the School of
Health Sciences, effective May, 2002.
Let
G
Perc
Let
G
Perc
ter
P
ent
ter
P
ent
A
A
A+
4.
95 - 100%
C+
2.
71 - 74.9%
0
3
A
4.
91 - 94.9%
C
2.
67 - 70.9%
0
0
A3.
87 - 90.9%
C1.
63 - 66.9%
7
7
B+
3.
83 - 86.9%
D+
1.
59 - 62.9%
3
3
B
3.
79 - 82.9%
D
1.
55 - 58.9%
0
0
B2.
75 - 78.9%
F
0
0 - 54.9%
7
Plagiarism Statement:
The University of Lethbridge subscribes to Turnitin.com, a plagiarism detection service. Please
be advised that student work submitted for credit in this course may be submitted to this system
to verify its originality. Students may be required to submit both electronic and hard copy
versions of their work.
Accommodations for Students with a Disability:
Reasonable accommodations are available for students who have a documented disability. If
you have been diagnosed with a disability, there is no need to face the challenge of University
without support. Please contact Counselling Services/Students with Disabilities Office at 3292766 http://www.uleth.ca/ross/counselling/index.html to set up an appointment. Please notify the
instructor of any accommodations needed for the course. This meeting can be held after class
or privately during office hours. In addition, students are responsible for requesting
accommodations from the instructor at least* two weeks* in advance of the evaluation date. The
instructor and student are jointly responsible for arranging the resources needed for the
Page |5
evaluation process. The Students with Disabilities Office sets up exam accommodations upon
receipt of exam requests from students. Late notification may mean that requested
accommodation may not be available. Please note that all accommodations are made in
collaboration with the student, instructor, a representative from the Dean's office, and
Counselling Services/Students with Disabilities Office. For more information please refer to the
Counselling Services website: http://www.uleth.ca/reg-cou/DisabilityInfo/disability_home.html.
HLSC 2120 Groups Course:
Lectures: Tuesdays; September 11 – December 4, 2007 Location: W565
Week 1 (Sept 11)
Lecture: First Hour:

Introduction of students, lecturer and the course

Review syllabus, course expectations, test, lectures, office hours, lab, power point
presentations, etc.




Lecture: Second Hour:
An introduction to Group Psychotherapy and Addiction:
Implications of group therapy with chemically dependency
The disease concept and Group psychotherapy
Addiction, Abstinence and the Disease concept

Readings: None
Lab:
Emphasis will be placed on developing basic group counseling skills and counselor development
through personal growth experiences within the group context and through continuing selfreflection. This lab may include some material cover in last week’s lecture.
Week 2 (Sept 18)
Lecture: First Hour:






Preparing the chemically Dependent Person for Group
Recommendations for entry into a therapy group; establish a preliminary alliance
Gain a clear consensus about the patients therapeutic hopes
Offer information and instruction about group psychotherapy
Deal with the initial anxiety about joining the group
Present and gain acceptance of the contract
Lecture: Second Hour:
Page |6

Group Interaction exercise exploring issues of different models

Articles to read and discuss during class.
Readings: Chapter 1 and 3
Lab:
Emphasis will be placed on developing basic group counseling skills and counselor development
through personal growth experiences within the group context and through continuing selfreflection. This lab may include material covered in last week’s lecture.
Week 3 (Sept 25)
Lecture: First Hour:

Interactional Group Psychotherapy
Lecture: Second Hour:
One hour video on group therapy
Readings: Chapter 4
Lab:
Emphasis will be placed on developing basic group counseling skills and counselor development
through personal growth experiences within the group context and through continuing selfreflection. This lab may include material covered in last week’s lecture.
Week 4 (October 2)
Lecture: First Hour:



Group Psychotherapy, AA and the Twelve-Step Programs
Discussion of the benefits of AA ~ How it works
Video on AA
Lecture: Second Hour:

AA (DVD) or Guest Speaker from AA

Readings: Chapter 7
Lab:
Page |7
Emphasis will be placed on developing basic group counseling skills and counselor development
through personal growth experiences within the group context and through continuing selfreflection. This lab may include material covered in last week’s lecture.
Week 5 (October 9)
Lecture: First Hour:


Models of Group Psychotherapy
Working in the here and now, Bridging

Lecture: Second Hour
Interactive Group Therapy in Addiction (DVD) Bridging
Readings: Chapter 2 (pages 40 – 67)
Lab:
Emphasis will be placed on developing basic group counseling skills and counselor development
through personal growth experiences within the group context and through continuing selfreflection. This lab may include material covered in last week’s lecture.
Week 6 (October 16)
Lecture: First Hour


Resistance in Group/Individual and Ethical Issues in Group work
Lecture: Second Hour
Interactive Group Therapy in Addiction (DVD) Group/Individual Resistance
Readings: Chapter 14
Lab:
Emphasis will be placed on developing basic group counseling skills and counselor development
through personal growth experiences within the group context and through continuing selfreflection. This lab may include material covered in last week’s lecture.
Week 7 (October 23)
Lecture: First Hour

Transference/Counter Transference in Group
Page |8

Use of therapeutic leverage, Confrontation, Intervention

Lecture: Second Hour
Interactive Group Therapy in Addiction (DVD) Transference/Counter Transference
Readings: Chapters 13
Lab:
Emphasis will be placed on developing basic group counseling skills and counselor development
through personal growth experiences within the group context and through continuing selfreflection. This lab may include material covered in last week’s lecture.
Week 8 (October 30)
Lecture: First Hour

Early, Middle and Late Stage Treatment Issues
Lecture: Second Hour

Interactive Group Therapy in Addiction (DVD) Corrective Emotional Experience/ Reality Testing
Readings: Chapters 9, 10 and 11
Lab:
Emphasis will be placed on developing basic group counseling skills and counselor development
through personal growth experiences within the group context and through continuing selfreflection. This lab may include material covered in last week’s lecture.
Week 9 (November 6)
Lecture: First Hour

Criterion definitions of addiction, Characteristics of the Leader
Lecture: Second Hour

Guest Speaker on Clinical Group Experiences as a group facilitator
Readings: Chapter 12
Page |9
Lab:
Emphasis will be placed on developing basic group counseling skills and counselor development
through personal growth experiences within the group context and through continuing selfreflection. This lab may include material covered in last week’s lecture.
Week 10 (November 13)

Psychodynamic Theory (Instructor: Jason Solowoniuk)
Readings: Chapter 6
Lab:
Emphasis will be placed on developing basic group counseling skills and counselor development
through personal growth experiences within the group context and through continuing selfreflection. This lab may include material covered in last week’s lecture.
Week 11 (November 20)
 Student Presentation
Readings: None
Lab:
Emphasis will be placed on developing basic group counseling skills and counselor development
through personal growth experiences within the group context and through continuing selfreflection. This lab may cover material covered in last week’s lecture.
Week 12 (November 27)
 Student Presentation
Readings: None
Lab:
Emphasis will be placed on developing basic group counseling skills and counselor development
through personal growth experiences within the group context and through continuing selfreflection.
Week 13 (December 4)
 Self Disclosure in group and Termination
Readings: None
Lab:
P a g e | 10
Emphasis will be placed on developing basic group counseling skills and counselor development
through personal growth experiences within the group context and through continuing selfreflection.
P a g e | 11
University of Lethbridge
School of Health Sciences
Addictions Counseling Program
HLSC 2120 Counseling 11 (Group Counselling)
Fall, 2007
Lecture: Small Group Presentation
Total presentation time 18 - 20 minutes
Group student’s names:
Topic
Marks
Present an issue, concern, approach related
to Group Psychotherapy for Addicted
Populations
/1
Explain why this issue is important to the
theory or delivery of group psychotherapy.
Also explain why it was of interest to
members in your group
/2
A full theoretical description of the issue or
concern including consequences for clinical
practice
/2
Description why addressing this issue in an
actual group session may cause angst or
concern for members of your team.
/1
P a g e | 12
Discussion on ways to address or respond to
this issue
/1
Presentation of the issue in 10 -12 minute
mock group session
/2
Question/answer and general discussion
/1
/5
Written submission
Total
Comments:
/15
P a g e | 13
HLSC 2120
Fall, 2007
Group co-facilitation: Videotape and Written Analysis
LAB Assignment #1
Learner:_______________________
Elements for Evaluation
Facilitation: What was done?
What was your plan? Skills used?
Alternate routes: What else
could you have done?
Self Awareness: What worked?
What was going on for you?
What was going on for the
group? How was the energy?
Marks
Scoring
5.5
5.5
9
P a g e | 14
Total
Comments:
20
P a g e | 15
HLSC 2120
Fall, 2007
Psycho-Ed Presentation
Lab Assignment #2
Learner:_______________________
Elements for Evaluation
Introduction to Activity: How
was the activity introduced? Was
the information Thorough?
Marks
Scoring
4
Experiential Activities: Did the
activity fit the topic? Did it
involve everyone in the class?
6
Sharing of Information: Was the
information of the topic
presented to the class? How was
4
P a g e | 16
it linked to the activity?
Debriefing of Activity and
Learning: Did the debriefing
follow the rough format for the
experiential psycho-ed
presentation? Was there
learning that took place by the
students?
6
Total
20
Comments: