Manhattan College
Graduate School of Education
Course: EDUG 725-61
8110 Remote Learning -Not on Campus
6:45pm-8:35 pm
Instructor: Dr. Neil E. Busuttil
(646) 866-4483
neil.busuttil@manhattan.edu
Course Description: Discussion, evaluation, and demonstration of types of group counseling techniques; analysis of group dynamics; group counseling as it applies to educational, interpersonal and emotional problems, including alcohol, and substance abuse problems. The use of 12-Step self-help groups in recovery.
Course Objectives:
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To successfully complete this course, the student will be able to demonstrate knowledge in, or an understanding of: |
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Learning Goals |
Assessment
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CACREP |
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• Acquire experience in the group counseling modality of psychotherapy |
class lectures, readings, case report/presentation, writing assignment, Major Paper, participate in class group
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CACREP SC, 3in, 3f |
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• Gain knowledge of how to be a facilitator of a therapy/counseling group |
class discussion, readings, case report/presentation, writing assignment, Major Paper, participate in class group; being leader of group
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CACREP, 1a. |
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• Develop a style of how to run a group and engage group members |
class discussion, readings, case report/presentation, writing assignment, Major Paper, participate in class group; being leader of group |
CACREP, SC, 3a, 3d, 3f |
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• Manage time-based interventions in a group setting |
class discussion, readings, case report/presentation, writing assignment, Major Paper, participate in class group; being leader of group |
CACREP, 5m |
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• Gain knowledge of the different types of structured groups one can run |
class discussion, readings, case report/presentation, writing assignment, Major Paper, participate in class group; being leader of group |
CACREP, SC, 2c. |
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• Develop an understanding of the dynamics that exist in groups counseling and documenting the group’s progress as a whole and with respect to its individual members |
class discussion, readings, case report/presentation, writing assignment, Major Paper, participate in class group; being leader of group |
CACREP, 3f, 7e |
Text
Yalom, Irvin (2008) Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy Basic Books, Fifth Edition
Supplemental Readings:
Brown, N. W. (2013). Creative activities for group therapy. New York, NY: Routledge. (supplemental)
Earley, J. (2014). Interactive group therapy: Integrating, interpersonal, action-orientated and psychodynamic approaches. Routledge. (provided on Moodle)
Fehr, S. S. (2014). Introduction to group therapy: A practical guide, second edition. Hoboken, NJ: Taylor and Francis. (supplemental)
Course Requirements
1) Classroom participation: In addition to coming to each class prepared, a major component of your grade for this course will reflect the degree to which you are prepared for class and participate actively in discussion, groups, and other course activities to augment your learning. You will be quizzed three times during the semester based on the class lecture.
2) Group Facilitator: One student will be a facilitator of a group each class. Students are expected to prepare a topic of their own choosing and facilitate a discussion on this topic.
3) Writing Assignment: A series of questions will be posed for your responses to the group process experience. These questions will address your personal development as a group counselor.
4) Major Paper – “Who Am I?” This paper will provide you an opportunity for reflection and self-awareness. This process is essential for group leaders. Specific guidelines will be provided in class. Students are to prepare a 5-minute presentation outlining key points of Major Paper, to be presented on last day of class.
Grading
Grading will be based on performance on the items below. Late submissions will be penalized.
Classroom Participation 25%
Group Facilitation 25%
Evolution Paper 25%
Who Am I? Final Paper 25%
COURSE OUTLINE
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Date |
Topic |
HW |
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8/31 |
Introduction to Group Work General Group Topics; Group Facilitator(s) for each class session Yalom 1 and 2 |
Read Yalom 1 (2 hours) Read Yalom 2 (2 hours) Prepare outline of chapter and questions (3 hours) |
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9/14 |
Yalom Chapter 3
Group Cohesiveness |
Group Cohesiveness Read Yalom 3 (2 hours) Prepare outline of chapter and questions (3 hours) |
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9/21 |
Quiz 1
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Start preparing for the Evolution paper (3 hours) Read Fehr |
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9/28 |
The Therapist: Basic Tasks
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Read Yalom 5 (2 hours) Prepare outline of chapter and questions (3 hours)
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10/5 |
The Therapist: Here and Now
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Read Yalom 6 (2 hours) Prepare outline of chapter and questions (3 hours)
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10/12 |
The Therapist: Transference and Transparency
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Read Yalom 7 (2 hours) Prepare outline of chapter and questions (3 hours)
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10/19
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QUIZ 2 |
Work on Evolution paper (5 hours) Read Brown |
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10/26 |
Selection of Clients Internal Dialogue of Group Counselors |
Read Yalom 8 (2 hours) Prepare outline of chapter and questions (3 hours) Evolution paper (4 hours) |
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11/2 |
In the Beginning Evolution paper due |
Read Yalom 11 (2 hours) Prepare outline of chapter and questions (3 hours)
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11/9 |
In depth review of Chapter 11 Major Paper Discussion
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Work on Final Paper (Who Am I?) (6 hours)
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11/16 |
The Advanced Group |
Read Yalom12 (2 hours) Prepare outline of chapter and questions (3 hours) |
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11/23 |
Problem Group Members |
Yalom 13 (2 hours) Prepare outline of chapter and questions (3 hours) |
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11/30
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Final Quiz |
Work on Final Paper (Who Am I?) (6 hours) |
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12/7
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Work on Final Paper (Who Am I?) (6 hours) Read Earley |
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12/14 |
Final Group |
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Evolution Paper
- What are some group leadership skills that you see as being especially important? Which of these skills are strong areas for you? Which skills need improvement?
- To what extent might you burden yourself with the expectation that you should have the perfect response to a group member?
- Which group member from our group stands out the most for you? Why?
- How might you respond if a group member challenges your role or competence as group leader?
- Were there any emotions evoked in you as you observed and listened to group members? Describe a particular event our group and explain why it was important in your view.
- What are some of the major things you learned about yourself as a person, and how is this likely to impact your work as a group counselor?
Who Am I?
In order to work effectively with others as a counselor, one must take the opportunity for self-reflection. In examining how your life has unfolded, this exercise will cause you to give some thought to:
7 defining moments
6 critical choices
5 pivotal people
The purpose of this analysis is to aid you in bringing into focus your sense of self – who are you. Your self-concept is formed throughout your life, and by the experiences that all bring you to where you are at this moment in time.
More detail:
- 7 defining moments: How did each of these moments change your perceptions, perspective, self-concept?
- 6 critical choices: How have they shaped your outlook on life? Include the choice(s) you didn’t make, and how not choosing affected you. You are responsible for the choices you make. What has been the result?
- 5 pivotal people: How did each person influence you – positively or negatively? How were you changed by this relationship?
General Group Topics
“What is Real?” CBT for psychosis
“Keeping Your Cool” anger management
“Changing Bad Habits Into Good Ones” substance abuse group
“Managing Mood” for individuals with mood disorder
“Keeping Healthy Relationships” relationship group
“Tackling Trauma” group on how past trauma affects current behavioral patterns
All students are required to facilitate or co-facilitate a group, choosing one of the 5 general topics above. All students are encouraged to ask Professor for help with organizing the group topic. Students who choose be the group facilitator in an earlier class have the advantage of being assessed without the expectation of having the knowledge and skill to run a “better” group. For those facilitating one of the later groups, it will be expected that you would have more knowledge and skill of group dynamics and assessment and so there will be higher expectations of performance.
- Teacher: Busuttil Neil
- Teacher: Pitula Deborah