Foundations for Group Facilitation

This course examines the various aspects of small group work within a school setting. It also presents techniques and strategies for the noncounseling credentialed adult who is interested in working with students who may benefit from the small group process.

Overview of Counseling Groups

• Examine the general goals shared by counseling group members.
• Identify the appropriate values and various counseling groups in a school setting.
• Examine characteristics of psycho-education groups in relation to a school setting.
• Examine the general guidelines for serving multicultural populations.

Group Leadership

• Describe the group leader as a person.
• Identify issues for beginning group leaders.
• Identify group leadership skills.
• Examine the special skills for opening and closing group sessions.

Ethics in Group Process

• Define the group participants' rights.
• Examine the ethics of group leaders' actions.
• Examine how the leader's values impact the group.
• Analyze ethical issues in multicultural group counseling.
• Describe the uses and misuses of group techniques.
• Examine group leader competence.
• Examine professional standards guidelines.

Stages in Group Development

• Analyze components of stage one.
• Examine facilitation skills and group activities that assist in the formation of the group.
• Analyze components of stage two.
• Examine facilitation skills and group activities that enhance orientation, exploration, and group roles.
• Analyze components of stage three.
• Examine facilitation skills and group activities that deal with resistance.
• Analyze components of stage four.
• Examine facilitation skills and group activities that enhance cohesion and productivity.
• Analyze components of stage five.
• Examine facilitation skills and group activities that enhance consolidation and termination.