WESTERN SEMINARY SAN JOSE

WESTERN SEMINARY SAN JOSE

GROUP COUNSELING

CNS 512S; 3 Credit Hours

Judith G. Needham, PhD (c), LMFT
408- 356-6889 X 409 or jneedham@westernseminary.edu

Fall Semester, 2004

SYLLABUS
Course Description

An overview of the principles of group theory, dynamics and process as applied to various therapeutic settings and problems.

Course Schedule

Saturdays, 9/11, 25; 10/09, 23; 11/06- (1:15-7:15 PM)

Friday, 11/19- (5.45 – 9.55 PM) and all day retreat Saturday-11/20-(8:45 AM – 5 PM).

Total breaks: 35 minutes per class, plus 45 minutes lunch break on Day Retreat

Course Goals

The primary goal of this course is to provide students with an understanding of group dynamics from a therapeutic perspective. Groups, in various forms, are a powerful medium for change. As such, we will explore personal and interpersonal factors, including group dynamics, which either enhance or detract from an individual’s being able to utilize a group therapy experience. It is my intention that such exploration will occur both objectively and subjectively, in order that each student may identify his/her areas of strength.

Course Objectives

Cognitive:

Students will be able to identify the therapeutic factors of group experience.
Students will understand the multiple roles of the therapist/leader in-group process and how to function in order to facilitate growth/change in others.
Students will appreciate how practical factors (confidentiality, size, duration and type, selection, etc.) contribute to the effectiveness of groups.

Affective:

Students will participate in an actual group experience, as part of the course time is dedicated as a training group.
Students will explore objectively and subjectively, identifying his/her areas of strength.

Textbooks

Required: (Hotlinked to Amazon.com)

Corey, G., Corey, M., & Haynes, R. (2000). Evolution of a Group: Student Video & Workbook. Pacific Grove, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Co.
Yalom, Irvin D. (1995). The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy, Fourth Ed. New York: Basic Books.

Note: Amazon.com (to which all the books are linked below) often has used volumes you can order. You may also want to check out http://www.bestwebbuys.com/books/ for a cost comparison for any book at the major online bookstores.

Course Requirements

Pedagogical Approach

This class will include a wide variety of teaching techniques. These techniques have been purposely designed to instruct students as much as possible in their most natural and competent learning styles. The various teaching techniques will include (but not be limited to): role-playing, lecture, group process and discussions, critical analysis, individual reports, examination, and written paper.

Reading

Assignments, as noted in the Course Outline, are to be completed the week after the class session.

According to Western Seminary standards, there are two levels:

Familiarity level. This level assumes knowledge of the material assigned and leads to accountability in class (45 pages per hour).

Mastery level. Reading at this level will average about 20 pages per hour and assumes careful reflective interaction with the ideas, note taking, and will lead to accountability in class, and papers at a mastery level (1000 pages = 50 hours).

Written Work

For all written work, please use APA format. Papers must be written to a near-thesis standard. That is, minimum APA format standards must be met. English grammar, idiom and spelling must be up to graduate level. Always include a strong introduction paragraph-declare what you intend to show the reader-and conclusion paragraph. Qualities valued include clarity, succinctness, and precision.

Cover page must be included

Abstract

Underline section headings

Page numbers

Reference page

Turn in papers via email attachment

10% of the grades on the typed papers will be Form, that is, conformity to APA and above standards. For more information on APA standard form, you may purchase the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5^th Edition, revised July 2001 (to order from APA: http://www.apa.org/books/4200060.html).

The following websites may also be helpful (please note that there were significant changes in the 5^th Edition):

All work must reflect Master's Level use of the English Language. Plagiarism will result in failure of the first assignment so discovered. A second instance will result in failure in the course.

Workload Standards
Reading	35 hours	Reaction	7 hours
Journal	10 hours	Written Paper	25 hours
Summaries	13 hours	TOTAL	90 hours

Grading

Complete all required reading & workbook

10%

Participate in class discussions

10%

Participate in small group

10%

Write a "Journal of Feelings" (Minimum of 3 entries for each week)-

Submit each class. (Use cover page)

10%

Write a "summary" of group experience after each class (Use cover page)

10%

Write a 5-7 page Reaction paper - Yalom

20%

One paper (approx. 20 pgs) – Following writing format stated above - Write an essay integrating Yalom & Corey readings with the type of Group you would like to lead (i.e. group for addiction recovery, group for adults - sexually abused as children, etc.). Discuss the three "cognitive" course objectives stated above, in your approach to the selected group. A minimum of two outside research articles must be referenced. Present paper in class.

30%

A+

99-100%

B+

91-92%

C+

84-85%

D+

77-78%

A

95-98%

B

88-90%

C

81-83%

D

74-76%

A-

93-94%

B-

86-87%

C-

79-80%

D-

70-73%

Attendance

Please note that since this course consists of only seven class sessions, attendance is particularly important. Friday 11/19 (4 hours) and Saturday 11/20 (8 hours) combined is equivalent to 2 class sessions. Students are expected to adjust schedules in order to attend all sessions for the entire period for each class session. Absences will affect student grade, unless discussed with and excused by the instructor.

TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE AND SCHEDULE

Workbook and video will be utilized in class –We will watch video all the way through in one class setting. Please make use of your video and study segments according to where we are in our process in our class session.

Sept. 11 -

Introduction, Therapeutic Factors, Interpersonal Learning, Group Cohesiveness, Integration.
Homework: read Yalom: Pages 1-105

Sept. 25 -

Homework: read Yalom- Pages 106-216

Oct. 09

Homework: read Yalom- Pages 217-292

Oct. 23

Homework: read Yalom-Pages 293-403

Nov.06

Homework: read Yalom-Pages 404-532; Yalom Reaction Paper due Nov. 19 Final Paper Due Nov. 19-20

Nov.19

Papers due- Presentations of papers begins

Nov.20

Retreat -Papers must be turned in today. Papers will be returned to your mailbox; Please provide a stamped envelope if you prefer receiving your paper before the next semester.

Reminder – Homework is assigned for the week after the class session

Complete all required reading & workbook	10%
Participate in class discussions	10%
Participate in small group	10%
Write a "Journal of Feelings" (Minimum of 3 entries for each week)- Submit each class. (Use cover page)	10%
Write a "summary" of group experience after each class (Use cover page)	10%
Write a 5-7 page Reaction paper - Yalom	20%
One paper (approx. 20 pgs) – Following writing format stated above - Write an essay integrating Yalom & Corey readings with the type of Group you would like to lead (i.e. group for addiction recovery, group for adults - sexually abused as children, etc.). Discuss the three "cognitive" course objectives stated above, in your approach to the selected group. A minimum of two outside research articles must be referenced. Present paper in class.	30%

A+	99-100%	B+	91-92%	C+	84-85%	D+	77-78%
A	95-98%	B	88-90%	C	81-83%	D	74-76%
A-	93-94%	B-	86-87%	C-	79-80%	D-	70-73%

Sept. 11 -	Introduction, Therapeutic Factors, Interpersonal Learning, Group Cohesiveness, Integration. Homework: read Yalom: Pages 1-105
Sept. 25 -	Homework: read Yalom- Pages 106-216
Oct. 09	Homework: read Yalom- Pages 217-292
Oct. 23	Homework: read Yalom-Pages 293-403
Nov.06	Homework: read Yalom-Pages 404-532; Yalom Reaction Paper due Nov. 19 Final Paper Due Nov. 19-20
Nov.19	Papers due- Presentations of papers begins
Nov.20	Retreat -Papers must be turned in today. Papers will be returned to your mailbox; Please provide a stamped envelope if you prefer receiving your paper before the next semester.