Group Dynamics: Theory and Practice
Instructor: Ayana Watkins-Northern, Ph.D. awatkins-northern@howard.edu
Group Theory: Tuesday from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Group Observation and Group Discussion: Thursday from 9:00 am to 11:00 am
The group training component runs from September to May and consists of the following:
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Seminar on theory and technique in group psychotherapy and group counseling
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Observation of an ongoing psychotherapy group conducted by training staff
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Discussion group - following the observation of the above mentioned training group
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Starting and conducting a group to its date of termination
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Supervision of group work
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Attendance of two outside conferences, one per semester
Learning Objectives
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To provide trainees with the basic theoretical foundation and technical skill necessary to conduct group counseling and/or group psychotherapy at increasing levels of competence.
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To provide trainees with understanding of the ethical guidelines for conducting group counseling and/or psychotherapy.
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To provide knowledge of distinguishing factors between group counseling and group psychotherapy.
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To provide knowledge and skill in the understanding and in the technical interventions indicated to address the impact of diversity and multiculturalism in group.
Observation Group
The observation group is a psychotherapy group for students that follows the academic calendar. Each member is screened and invited to voluntarily participate in the group. A signed document granting permission to be observed is provided by each member.
Both group members and group trainees are required to observe the group contract with specific attention given to confidentiality and the laws of the District of Columbia dictating procedures and conduct around group confidentiality.
Each participant from each group provides written
documentation of their consent to this contract. At the first group session, group members and
trainees are introduced to one another and group members are
invited again to ask questions.
