Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - EDUC 878 G001

Group Counselling (5)

Class Number: 8466

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Mon, 4:30–9:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    EDUC 874.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of contemporary approaches to group counselling. Students with credit for EDUC 720 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course provides students with a background in basic group theory and counselling skills that can be applied to different types of groups (psychoeducational, process oriented), in a variety of settings (educational, healthcare, community). The course is comprised of three components:
(1) an overview of group dynamics;
(2) an examination of the theory and interventions related to group counselling;
(3) and an introduction to group counselling skill competencies.


DELIVERY: In accordance with SFU public health policy, as many aspects as possible of the course will be taught remotely.  If public health guidance permits, there will be some in person experiential learning of group process and group leadership skills.  Safety protocols for SFU and Worksafe BC will be followed.  Adjustments will be made in accordance to the current public health guidance.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • explore types of groups counsellors lead and their purposes
  • become familiar with the group counselling theories
  • identify common group dynamics and
  • recognize developmental phases of groups in application
  • understand purpose and principles of designing structured, semi-structured and unstructured groups
  • understand ethical issues related to groups and ethical responsibilities of group leaders
  • through participation, understand roles of members in groups
  • through practice, demonstrate leadership strategies appropriate to novice counsellors
  • demonstrate self-awaremess and reflexivity about their own participation in groups and leadership capacity
  • recognize social factors that impact group dynamics and participation, including impacts of racialization, gender, cultural socialization and other power asymmetries.
  • become familiar with strategies for enhancing the safety, equity and inclusiveness of groups
  • receive and reflect on feedback about leadership skills in a constructive manner
  • offer discerning, constructive feedback to peers

Grading

  • Class Participation - Asynchronous and Synchronous 10%
  • Participation, Observation Feedback & Reflection in Process Group 10%
  • Co-leadership of a group psychoeducational intervention 20%
  • Facilitation of a group session & Reflection 20%
  • Group Leadership Portfolio 20%
  • Group Design Portfolio 20%

NOTES:

Please note that due to the on-going and unpredictable demands of the Covid19 pandemic, changes to the course outline, assignments or mode of delivery may occur.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Computer or laptop with wifi access for synchronous elements. Class materials will be on SFUs Canvas and delivered on SFUs Zoom.

REQUIRED READING:

Chen, M. W., & Rybak, C. (2017). Group leadership skills: Interpersonal process in group counseling and therapy. SAGE Publications. (available on vitalsource as ebook) ISBB: 978-1-5063-4930-5


ISBN: 978-1-5063-4930-5

RECOMMENDED READING:

Corey, M.S., Corey, G., & Corey, C. (2017). Groups: Process and Practice (10th ed.). Brooks/Cole
ISBN: 9781305865709

Yalom, I.D. & Leszcz, M. (2020). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy. (6th ed.) Hachette Book Group.

ISBN: 9781541617575 (hardcover) or 9781541617568 (ebook)
2008, 5th Edition will also work


ISBN: 9781541617568

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).