Group Facilitation in Counselling and Psychotherapy (P02882)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : HEA-P-GFCP

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the practice of group work in Counselling, Psychotherapy and related settings. The theoretical and philosophical underpinning of this course is set within the dialogue between the person-centred approach and psychodynamic perspectives. Students also have the opportunity to practise group facilitation skills. Topics include: an examination of different philosophical approaches to group facilitation; exploration of the role of group facilitators in different settings such as in training, personal and professional development, encounter, supervision of practice; understanding of group processes including issues of power, diversity and gender within groups; exploration of ethical issues associated with group work; appraising personal philosophy and understanding of group facilitation. This course does not offer a specialist training or qualification in group facilitation. The intention is to enable students who have an interest in the topic to acquire knowledge and skills in the practice of group facilitation.

Course Rationale - Working in groups in Counselling, Psychotherapy and related professions is a highly important and often powerful setting for personal and professional learning, yet not all professions feel competent to faclitate groups. There are few opportunities to experiment with and develop group facilitation skills. The course aims to enable students to develop skills and knowledge of group facilitation through engaging in theoretical dialogue, experience of group participation and experiential work practising group facilitation. This experiential work involves self-assessment alongside peer and tutor feedback.

Course Aim - The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop their experience, knowledge and skills in group facilitation

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : This is an optional course for postgraduate students in Counselling Studies. It may also be taken by students from other subject areas who have a relevant background in relation to the topic. All students must meet one of the following entrance requirements: 1 A qualification in counselling or psychotherapy or 2 Professional experience of working therapeutically with groups

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Counselling Studies, (School of Health in Social Science, Schedule D)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : To be arranged/Unknown

? Contact Teaching Time : 10 hour(s) per week for 2 weeks

? Additional Class Information : The course will be delivered over 2 blocks of two days (5 hour sessions)(Wed & Thurs), one month apart. The course will be delivered in this manner to allow time for group process as well as reading and reflection on student's own learning.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students should be able to
- Conceptualise and appraise person-centred and psychodynamic approaches to group facilitation
- Identify, evaluate and critically appraise the role of facilitator in different group settings such as training, supervision, personal and professional development and encounter
- Critically reflect on and appraise group processes, including issues of power, gender, diversity and ethics that arise in group work
- Critically reflect on and appraise research into group work in therapeutic settings
- Critically reflect on and appraise their practice skills in the role of group facilitator
- Through the process of dialogue, gaining knowledge and skills practice with feedback, begin to conceptualise a personal philosophy of group facilitation

Assessment Information

One 4,000 to 5,000 word essay is required, analysing a key theme in the practice of group facilitation in a chosen setting. Students will critically reflect drawing on their own therapeutic practice.