Theoretical Approaches Applied to Group Counseling

Theoretical Approaches Applied to Group Counseling

The orientation counselors have regarding their work is based on an awareness of their own personalities, preferences, and values, combined with the counseling theories that most reflect their understanding of members’ ways of thinking and behaving. This orientation influences the way counselors approach and facilitate group work.

At this point in your educational career, you may still be exploring counseling approaches and developing your own theoretical orientation. That is okay and expected. This Assignment is an opportunity to further explore the concepts, goals, therapeutic relationship, and techniques of counseling theories as they are applied to group work. Consider how you might incorporate elements of one or more of these approaches in your Group Proposal if you have not done so already.

To prepare:

• Review the articles in the      Learning Resources and consider the different theoretical approaches to      group counseling.
• View Program Three of the Evolution      of a Group video, entitled “Lecturettes on Theoretical      Approaches,” which includes psychodynamic, experiential and      relationship-oriented, cognitive behavioral, post-modern      (solution-focused, narrative, feminist, and multicultural), and integrative      approaches.
• Download the Venn Diagram      Template from the Learning Resources.
• Select two theories/approaches      to compare for this Assignment. Note that since the Venn diagram example      compares REBT and psychoanalytic theories, you should not select those two      specific approaches for your comparison.

The Assignment:

• Use the Venn Diagram Template      to compare two theoretical approaches applied to group work.
• Identify the two theories you      selected at the top of the chart.
• Compare the key concepts and      focus (past childhood experiences, thoughts, feelings, relationships),      goals, therapeutic relationship, leadership style, and techniques of each      theory.
• On the outside portions of the      diagram, list those characteristics that are unique to each      theory/approach. In the middle of the diagram, list the characteristics      that are common to both theories/approaches.

Theoretical Approaches Applied to Group Counseling

Required Resources

Readings

Corey, M. S., Corey, G., & Corey, C. (2018). Groups: Process and practice (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage.

• Chapter 4, “Theories and Techniques of Group      Counseling”

Corwin, D., Wall, K. & Koopman, C. (2012). Psycho-spiritual integrative therapy for women with breast cancer. Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 37(3), 252–273. 10.1080/01933922.2012.686961

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Gaffney, S. (2008). Steps towards a practice of Gestalt with groups: A mini-manual for beginners. Gestalt Journal of Australia & New Zealand, 5(1), 32–51.

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Macrodimitris, S. D., Hamilton, K. E., Backs-Dermott, B., & Mothersill, K. J. (2010). CBT basics: A group approach to teaching fundamental cognitive-behavioral skills. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 24(2), 132–146. Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/docview/276282765?accountid=14872

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Plosker, R., & Chang, J. (2014). A solution-focused therapy group designed for caregivers of stroke survivors. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 33(2), 35–49. doi:10.1521/jsyt.2014.33.2.35

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Sonstegard, M. A. (1998). The theory and practice of Adlerian group counseling and psychotherapy. Journal of Individual Psychology, 54(2), 217–250.

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Velasquez, M. M., & Ingersoll, K. S. (2006). Motivational Interviewing in groups. Journal of Addiction and Recovery. doi: 10.1300/J384v01n01_03

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Westwood, M. J., & Ewasiw, J. F. (2011). Integrating narrative and action processes in group counseling practice: A multimodal approach for helping clients. Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 36(1), 78–93.

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Document: Venn Diagram Template (Powerpoint Presentation)

Use this document to complete this week’s Assignment.

Document: Venn Diagram Exemplar (Powerpoint Presentation)

This document may be used as a guiding example to inform your Assignment. It compares psychoanalytic and REBT, so you should select other theories for your own comparison.

Required Media

Haynes, R. (2014). Groups in action: Evolution and challenges [Video file]. Borderline Productions.

• Third program, Evolution of a Group,      Segment 1-6 “Lecturettes on Theoretical Approaches”

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018a). Applying counseling theory to group work [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 8 minutes.

In this video, Walden faculty discuss how they apply theory to group work.

Accessible player  –Downloads– Download Video w/CC Download Audio Download Transcript

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CLASS

Discussion Questions (DQ)

• Initial responses to the DQ should address all components of the questions asked, include a minimum of one scholarly source, and be at least 250 words.
• Successful responses are substantive (i.e., add something new to the discussion, engage others in the discussion, well-developed idea) and include at least one scholarly source.
• One or two sentence responses, simple statements of agreement or “good post,” and responses that are off-topic will not count as substantive. Substantive responses should be at least 150 words.
• I encourage you to incorporate the readings from the week (as applicable) into your responses.

Weekly Participation

• Your initial responses to the mandatory DQ do not count toward participation and are graded separately.
• In addition to the DQ responses, you must post at least one reply to peers (or me) on three separate days, for a total of three replies.
• Participation posts do not require a scholarly source/citation (unless you cite someone else’s work).
• Part of your weekly participation includes viewing the weekly announcement and attesting to watching it in the comments. These announcements are made to ensure you understand everything that is due during the week.

APA Format and Writing Quality

• Familiarize yourself with APA format and practice using it correctly. It is used for most writing assignments for your degree. Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for APA paper templates, citation examples, tips, etc. Points will be deducted for poor use of APA format or absence of APA format (if required).
• Cite all sources of information! When in doubt, cite the source. Paraphrasing also requires a citation.
• I highly recommend using the APA Publication Manual, 6th edition.

Use of Direct Quotes

• I discourage overutilization of direct quotes in DQs and assignments at the Masters’ level and deduct points accordingly.
• As Masters’ level students, it is important that you be able to critically analyze and interpret information from journal articles and other resources. Simply restating someone else’s words does not demonstrate an understanding of the content or critical analysis of the content.
• It is best to paraphrase content and cite your source.

 

LopesWrite Policy

• For assignments that need to be submitted to LopesWrite, please be sure you have received your report and Similarity Index (SI) percentage BEFORE you do a “final submit” to me.
• Once you have received your report, please review it. This report will show you grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors that can easily be fixed. Take the extra few minutes to review instead of getting counted off for these mistakes.
• Review your similarities. Did you forget to cite something? Did you not paraphrase well enough? Is your paper made up of someone else’s thoughts more than your own?
• Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for tips on improving your paper and SI score.

Late Policy

• The university’s policy on late assignments is 10% penalty PER DAY LATE. This also applies to late DQ replies.
• Please communicate with me if you anticipate having to submit an assignment late. I am happy to be flexible, with advance notice. We may be able to work out an extension based on extenuating circumstances.
• If you do not communicate with me before submitting an assignment late, the GCU late policy will be in effect.
• I do not accept assignments that are two or more weeks late unless we have worked out an extension.
• As per policy, no assignments are accepted after the last day of class. Any assignment submitted after midnight on the last day of class will not be accepted for grading.

Communication

• Communication is so very important. There are multiple ways to communicate with me: 
  • Questions to Instructor Forum: This is a great place to ask course content or assignment questions. If you have a question, there is a good chance one of your peers does as well. This is a public forum for the class.
  • Individual Forum: This is a private forum to ask me questions or send me messages. This will be checked at least once every 24 hours.