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908 I — Group Studies Level I (10 weeks)

Content:

Group work has been demonstrated to be an effective way of providing service to clients. This course examines group work practice by exploring a range of theoretical concepts and frameworks. The areas covered in the course include: stages of group development, cohesion, therapeutic factors, leadership skills, social roles and ethical issues. Students lead weekly seminars based on the readings.  Seminars are followed by a group tutorial where concepts are discussed and reviewed in greater depth. Participants have an opportunity to reflect on their own concerns and questions about group work practice.

Objectives:

1. To understand the theory of group development using a variety of models.
2. To apply knowledge through experiential learning and developing group formulations.
3. To introduce and understand the research evaluation components of group practice.

Format:

Students will lead weekly seminars based on readings. Weekly seminars will be followed by participation in an experiential application group. Concepts learned during seminars will be discussed and reviewed during the application group.

Evaluation:

Attendance, group participation, weekly readings, seminar presentation, take home formulations of group video cases.

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908 IIB - Group Studies Level IIB (10 weeks)* New Course

Criteria for Admission:

Successful completion of Group Studies Level I, and/or previous clinical

experience in group facilitation.

General Description:

The course will focus on the development and practice of group leadership skills through lectures and the provision of opportunities for in class, experiential learning. Students will participate in small groups to develop specific skills for effective group leadership.

Objectives:

1. To acquire knowledge about and understand group leadership strategies and skills

2. To practice a range of group leadership skills

3. To engage in self-reflection that bridges the gap between group theory and group practice

Format:

Readings from selected text, didactic and small group, interactive learning will be utilized. In addition, there will be instruction, modeling, role-plays, video material and feedback. Self-monitoring of skill acquisition will be encouraged. 

 

908 II — Group Studies  Level II (5-Day Block)

Content:

An experiential group activity based on a conceptual framework derived from the Tavistock (Bion) approach to understanding group phenomena.

Objectives:

1. To understand, identify and describe conscious and unconscious dynamics and processes influencing group life.
2. To recognize and understand the impact of one’s behavior and roles in the group context and their relevance and application to one’s own work.

Format:

1. Students will participate in three different groups
2. Study Group — Primary task: experience and examine small group phenomena in the “Here and Now”, with emphasis on Issues of role boundaries and authority
3. Review Group — Primary task: reflect on experience of being a member of the study group, and integrating some of the theory with the experience. 
4. Application — how one’s role in group applies to one’s work.
5. Plenary — I) to introduce members to the task; II) to bring closure to the group.

Evaluation:

Formal evaluation will be based on a typed (double spaced) paper of the required length needed to fulfill the expectations of the assignment.  You may want to consider 5-10 pages as a guideline. A recognized academic format is to be followed in the presentation of the paper using a recognized manual such as Turabian, American Psychological Association, etc. Students are required to describe a significant experience of their own in the Study Group. They should analyze the event using the Tavistock (Bion) concepts, and the theory of one to two other group models. Students also should indicate and explain how the concepts they have learned are applicable to in their work situation.

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908 IIIA - Group Studies Level III (20 weeks)

 

Criteria for Admission:

Successful completion of Level I and II, or equivalency can be discussed with the
Group Studies Chair.  Students are expected to lead two groups as a requirement of completion.  In the first group, the student may be co-leading a group with a more seasoned group facilitator (and so be in a more junior role).  However, for the second group, the student must be in a primary leadership role.

Content:

 

The course focuses on:

• Screening and selection of group members
• Pre-group preparation
• Forming the group (if applicable)
• Identifying individual and group objectives
• Identification of group dynamics and working with those dynamics
• Identification of co-leader and other system dynamics
• Formulation skills (learning how to formulate interventions)
• Intervention skills (how, when, and why to intervene)
• Review of selected and relevant literature

Objectives:

 

1. To select group members and prepare to work with groups (with a particular emphasis on group process).

2. To acquire skills in effective use of self in a group leadership role.

3. To develop and practice conceptualization skills

4. To develop and practice intervention skills.

Format:

Sessions are held weekly for 1.5 hours.  Assessment of work may be achieved by one or a combination of video tapes, audio tapes, one-way mirrors, or supervisor’s direct observation of the group.

Evaluation:

An on-going process between supervisor and supervisees with final formal evaluation.

 

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908 IV — Group Studies – Level IV (usually academic year, 40 weeks minimum)

Criteria for Admission:

Level IV involves special or advanced studies with a choice of three options: 1) practice, 2) theory and teaching, and 3) research. Examples of each option are as follows:

1. Practice Objectives:
   To develop specialized skills with a specially constituted clinical group or a project related to “doing” a group. Examples:
   • Supervision of supervision of a clinical or process group by review of audio video taped sessions.
   • In depth examination of co-leadership issues and practice aided by audio-visual tape of sessions.
2. Theory and Teaching Objectives
   To develop teaching skills based on literature review of researched learning principles or to develop, prepare and use a teaching Program. Examples:
   • Application of teaching/learning principles found in literature review with application to a specific learning situation with stated objectives
   • Developing and using audiovisual materials, teaching manuals or workbooks.
3. Research Objectives
   To prepare a critical literature review in a specialized area, suitable for publication, or data collection on small group issues and reporting results. Examples:
   • Critical presentation of the pros and cons stated in the literature for the use of a particular investigative tool or technique in a research project.
   • Using a standard publication manual to prepare data and text for publication.
   • Using appropriate research methodology for collecting data on a small group issue and reporting findings.

Some special study plans may cut across the three major option areas; for example, community consultation and resource development, which may include doing a needs study, providing a clinical intervention, and addressing issues around developing group services in a hospital, community agencies, or institution of learning

Students must have the necessary skills to pursue the area chosen for special study.  For example, to conduct a specialized group of any kind the prerequisite is previous acceptable group experience equivalent to completion of Level IIIB.  Entry is dependent upon availability of faculty to facilitate study in the proposed area.  Students should be prepared to meet with the Group Level IV coordinator prior to registration to develop a learning proposal.

Overview:

Along with the Level IV coordinator, the student will develop attainable learning objectives, arrange for an “outside consultant” if needed, and select an appropriate supervisor. Negotiations may involve obtaining consent from the learner’s “home setting” A proposal involving research, for example, must be approved by the home setting’s research committee, if one exists. Therapeutic group intervention, for example, must have consent from the setting, designation of a medical/legal backup, and designated clinical supervision. Irrespective of what special study is undertaken, as part of completing the course, some form of verbal and/or written sharing of the learning with Group Studies faculty and possibly others will be arranged.

Format:

Learning may take place weekly for 1-1/2 hours either in a group or individually for 40 weeks. Other arrangements better suited to the student’s objectives may be negotiated when the learning objectives are being set up with the Level IV Coordinator.

Evaluation:

Ongoing evaluation of the degree to which learning objectives are being met, as individual audio video tapes are being viewed and after 20 weeks and 40 weeks, informal and formal progress review.