BH 217 Group Counseling Skills

Lecture Hours: 4
Credits: 4

Presents strategies from accepted and culturally appropriate models for group counseling with clients with a variety of disorders including substance abuse. Focuses on the ethical use of groups as an effective therapeutic intervention. Addresses leadership behaviors, group formation, and group stages.

Prerequisite: BA 214 and BH 225 each a grade of C or better; and admitted into Behavioral Health program; or consent of instructor.
Recommended: Concurrent enrollment in BH284 - BH288.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Identify variables which need to be addressed prior to forming groups.
Design and implement strategies to meet the needs of population groups with varying ages, genders, and cultures.
Describe and analyze the developmental processes of the group, from the beginning phase of work to the group’s termination.
Identify and apply intervention strategies applicable to issues, phases, and processes related to the use of the group as the medium of change.
Facilitate groups using best practices for group counseling with general populations and populations with substance use disorders.
Course Outcomes Assessment.

Content Outline

Introduction to Group Work
- Group counselor and leadership
- Ethical and legal issues
- Group work and substance abuse
Group Formation
- Group stages
- Evolution of a group
- Therapeutic factors
Termination
- Evaluation
Specific Groups