Forensic Psychology (MA) Program

Course Descriptions

GR 540—Group Counseling and Psychotherapy

This course is designed to provide a basic understanding of groups through didactic and experiential learning.  Critical facets of group functioning are studied and experienced to elucidate key concepts that are relevant to and alive in all groups; boundaries, contract, task-maintenance, content and process, levels of group functioning, phases of group development, cohesiveness, conflict management, and working alliances. These concepts will be examined in a variety of groups to help students to understand critical events which occur in any type of large or small group.  In this course we will capitalize on what you already know about groups and organize it into a systematic group awareness that will serve you, not only as a group therapist, but also in the many other roles that a mental health counselor plays in groups. We will do (experience) and then examine and analyze different kinds of groups, including training or professional development groups, consultation groups, psycho-education groups and workshops.  You will learn from doing and allowing yourself to make mistakes (which we will all learn from) and by watching other leaders (myself included) who will also make mistakes that we will learn from.

Updated 10/18/07