Your Syllabus

HSV 330.97 – Theory & Practice of Group Counseling
Post University
COURSE SYLLABUS
Saturday Schedule, May 10 – June 28 2008

Professor Henry Schissler
“Large Iced, Light With Milk Only.”
380 Cedar Lane, Cheshire, CT 06410
Cell – 203-430-1411
EMAIL – henryschissler@cox.com

REQUIRED TEXT:
Corey, Gerald, Theory & Practice of Group Counseling. NY: Brooks Cole, 2008

RECOMMENDED & REFERENCED TEXTS:
American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition Revised. Washington DC: APA, 2003


LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the conclusion of this course the student will:
• Discuss five therapies and their approaches to group counseling
• Explain dynamics of group process on a “systemic” level
• Discuss various outcome expectations for clients in at least two time limited and two ongoing therapy groups and four “topical” groups
• Articulate an understanding of personal biases and prejudices that might impact effective group counseling
• Demonstrate an understanding of five major areas of psychopathology
• Have an understanding of diverse populations in a group therapeutic process

EVALUATION CRITERIA:
• Diverse Groups Assignment – 25%
• Elements of Group Process: Time-Limited and Topical – 25%
• Children & Adolescent Group – 35%
• Attendance & Participation – 15%
• Make Up Assignment(s) For Missed Classes


CLASS SCHEDULE

May 10 – Instructor & Class Introductions; Syllabus Review; Review of Class Materials; Overview of Basics from Psychology, Sociology & Human Services; Labeling Theory; Bio-Psycho-Social Model; Review of DSM-IV; the Johari Window


May 17 – Social Sciences perspectives on Groups and Group Dynamics; Ethnomethodology; Groups in Mental Health, Addiction, Anger Management, Criminal Justice & Other Settings; Groups for Children; Treatment Planning Strategizing for Groups: DSM-IV; the Multimodal Therapist; Corey, Chapters 1- 5; Assignment #1 Due
May 24 – Current Issues in Group Process: Iraq War Veterans and PTSD, Self-Help: Addictions as Diseases, Behavioral Dysfunction as Diseases; Team Building; Domestic Violence; Sexual Assault Crisis Groups; The Psychoanalytic Approach and the Adlerian Approach to Groups, Corey, Chapters 6 & 7;


May 31 –Corey, Chapters 8, 11 & 12, Psychodrama in Groups; Gestalt Therapy in Groups; Empty Chairs in Group; Transactional Analysis in Groups; Assignment #2 Due


June 7 – Corey, Chapters 9 & 10; Person-Centered Approach to Groups; Existential Approach to Groups


June 14 – Flag Day – Cognitive-Behavioral Approaches to Groups, Behavioral Interventions With Children; Rational-Emotive-Behavioral Therapy in Groups; Reality Therapy in Groups; Corey, Chapters 13 – 15; Assignment #3 Due


June 21 – First Day Of Summer – Solution-Focused Brief Therapy in Groups; Narrative Therapy and Other Newer Modalities; Corey, Chapter 16; Assignment #3 Due


June 28 – Corey, Chapters 17 & 18; Integrative Perspectives: Comparisons and Contrasts; Building the Therapeutic “Bag of Techniques,” the Multimodal Group Therapist


CELL PHONE POLICY: Turn it off! Check it during breaks! NEVER leave the class to answer a call. If you need to keep it on for any important reason, just let me know at the beginning of class.



MISSED CLASS MAKE-UP ASSIGNMENT:
Choose one of the chapters from the class that you missed, and write an overview of the theory and practice of that particular group therapy process. Four pages minimum



EVALUATION CRITERIA – SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION

Assignment #1: DIVERSITY IN GROUP THERAPY MEMBERSHIP
Discuss the impacts of diverse group members: teenagers, adults of different social classes, men and women, persons from different races, ethnic groups, religions, and gay/lesbian group members. Paper is four pages minimum using Corey and minimal Internet resources, properly footnoted and referenced.








Assignment #2: ELEMENTS OF GROUP PROCESS: TIME LIMITED & TOPICAL
Group therapy is very diverse. Therapists will use group therapy for many different types of problems and concerns. There are two general ways of categorizing group therapy
1. the time limits set on the duration of the group
2. the focus of the group and the way group members are selected
(1) Group therapy can be offered on an ongoing basis or for a specific number of sessions. In an ongoing group, once the group starts, it continues indefinitely, with some group members completing treatment and leaving the group and others joining along the way as openings are available in the group. Time limited groups are limited to a specific number of sessions, with a distinct beginning, middle and end
(2) The focus of the group is another way of categorizing group therapy. Some groups are more general in focus, with goals related to improving overall life satisfaction and effective life functioning, especially in the area of interpersonal relationships.
Other groups are "focused" or "topical" therapy groups. There are therapy groups for Depression, Stress Management Skills, Parenting Skills, Assertiveness, Women's or Men's Groups, among many others.
Pick one type of group from #1 and one from #2. Using Corey and Internet research on group specifics, write a four-page (minimum) paper that discusses the various elements of each group process.

Assignment #3: CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENT GROUP
In a five page (minimum) paper, discuss the types of therapeutic processes you might use and some of the key topics or issues you would want to pursue with group members. You are the therapist for a time-limited group (16 sessions) for children and teenagers who lost a parent to suicide.