EDCE 6500 - Group Counseling I

• Evaluate and compare group counseling methods, including group counselor orientations and behaviors, appropriate selection criteria and methods, and methods of evaluation of effectiveness.
• Identify and evaluate types of group work, including group counseling, task groups, psychoeducational groups, and therapy groups.
• Obtain direct experiences as participants and leaders in small group sessions each week.
• Review and understand ethical and legal considerations related to group work.
• Review professional preparation standards for group leaders.
• This course is designed to provide students with both a theoretical and experiential understanding of group purpose, development, dynamics, theories, methods and skills.
• Understand and articulate theraputic factors of group work.
• Understand and experience (via lab groups) group dynamics, including group process components, developmental stages, group members’ roles and behaviors.
• Understand the basics of theories of group counseling, identity commonalities and distinguishing characteristics, and review pertinent research and literature.
• Understand, articulate, and experience group leadership styles and approaches, including characteristics of various types of group leaders and leadership styles.