University of Tennessee College of Social Work
Clinical Social Work Practice with Groups
SW 525 - 008
Thursdays 12:20 - 3:20
RM 306 Henson Hall
David A. Patterson, Ph.D.
224 Henson Hall
Email- dpatter2@utk.edu
Phone
- 974-7511
(The content of this syllabus is
subject to change until the first day of class.)
Course Description
This course focuses on the development of knowledge and skills in the use of group methods in clinical social work practice. The course emphasizes: forming the group, assessing member problems, setting goals, structuring group tasks, activities, and experiences, understanding and enhancing group functioning, enabling problem-solving processes, facilitating transfer of change, evaluating individual and group change, and terminating the group. Particular attention is given to utilizing group methods in clinical social work with clients/client systems from high risk and vulnerable populations and from varying racial, cultural, socio-economic backgrounds.
Rationale
Group work has a long history in social work, and is seen by many as a central interventive approach in clinical social work. Group methods in clinical social work are particularly appropriate in the current context of clinical practice with its emphasis on efficient service delivery for a wide spectrum of client needs and problems across a variety of clinical social work settings. There is an abundance of research and conceptual literature on group methods of intervention with various clients/client systems.
Required Texts
Yalom, I. D. & Leszcz, M. (2005). Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy, 5th ed. New York: Basic Books.
Yalom, I. D. (2005) The Schopenhauer Cure: A Novel
Reserved readings available at UT Libraries Course Reserve. Type in "Social Work 525 Patterson" , without the quotation marks.
Course Objectives
By the completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:
Trace the major historical developments and current trends in the use of groups in social work practice;
Identify and describe ethical and professional issues related to the use of treatment groups;
Specify and explain the appropriate and inappropriate use of the group method for client problems including clients from high risk populations and clients varying in racial, ethnic, socio-economic, cultural, gender, age or sexual orientation characteristics ;
Assess client behavior and plan appropriate group interventions, strategies and goals;
Describe a framework for conceptualizing group developmental stages and process; the reciprocal influences of group process, individual and group behavior; the roles and functions of group leader, member, interaction and setting;
Effectively design, structure, implement strategies for, lead and evaluate the effectiveness of group interventions for short-term and long-term groups;
Identify and describe the major principles and techniques for facilitating individual and group change;
Identify and describe evaluative procedures applicable to assessment of individual and group change, including the worker’s strengths/vulnerabilities as a group leader/member.
Course Requirements
1. Full attendance.
2. Responsible participation in class activities and discussion. Turn off all cell phones before coming to class. The professor reserves the right to ask any student to close his/her laptop if it is being used for any purpose other than taking notes.
3. Biweekly quizzes on the content of the readings.
To take the bi-weekly quizzes, log onto http://online.utk.edu/. You have three hours to complete each quiz. The quiz is open-book, open note, but it is strongly recommended that you thoroughly read all assigned readings for the quiz before taking it.
Though the quizzes are open-book, open-note, they are not collaborative projects. Any copying of the questions, any sharing of questions or answers, any form of collaboration, discussion, or shared information via email or any other medium constitutes Academic Dishonesty as described by UT Hilltopics. As such, it will be dealt with by the instructor to the fullest extent allowable by UT Hilltopics, which may include suspension from the class and assignment of an “F” for either the quiz, the class, or both.
If you
are inadvertently logged
off of http://online.utk.edu/
while taking the quiz, please email Dr. Patterson at dpatter2@utk.edu
and inform him of what transpired. Your quiz will be re-set if
necessary.
4. Paper
on Yalom's novel, The Schopenhauer Cure. Write a 12 page paper
addressing the following points.
a. What therapeutic factors were evidenced in the group?
b. How did the therapist make use of transparency and transference and
what was your reaction to his use of transparency?
c. How was group cohesion evidenced in the group over the life of the
group? What factors or events threatened group cohesion and what
factors enhanced it?
d. How did the therapist make use of the here and now in the group and
use process commentary to move the group forward?
e. What group member did you most identify with and which group member
evoked the strongest reaction in you. How do you understand your
reactions?
f. Discuss how the issues of subgrouping, conflict, self-disclosure,
and termination created challenges to the life of the group.
Papers will be graded on the quality of the thought, insight, and
writing evidenced.
5. Comprehensive final exam - This will be available at http://online.utk.edu/. You will have four hours to complete it.
Extra Credit – To be determined
Grading
The first two requirements (attendance and participation) will account for 10% of the grade.
The paper will account 35% of the course grade.
Biweekly quizzes will account for 35% of the course grade.
The final will comprise 20% of the course grade.
Grades will be assigned based upon the distribution of the final point totals for the class. Students in the second standard deviation above the mean will receive an A. Students in the first standard deviation above the mean will receive a B+. Students in the first standard deviation below the mean or with at least 80% of all possible points will receive a B. Students in the second standard deviation below the mean will receive a C+. Other grades will be awarded based on total points and the class mean. Extra credit point are added to a student's point total after the class mean and standard deviation have been calculated. Consequently, extra credit points can make a significant difference in final grade earned.
Some students find it helpful to enter individual or group therapy as part of their development as social workers. For students seeking individual or group therapy, there are two resources available on campus, the Psychology Clinic and the Student Counseling Services Center. They are both described below.
For the past 50 years, graduate student clinicians at the Psychological Clinic at the University of Tennessee have offered quality mental health services to students and residents of the surrounding community at affordable, sliding-scale fees. The Clinic is available to UT students for individual, marital, and group therapy. To make an appointment, call the UT Psychological Clinic at 974-2161, from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M., Mondays through Thursdays, or 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Fridays.
The Student Counseling Services Center (SCSC), a department within the Division of Student Affairs, is the university's primary facility for personal counseling, psychotherapy, and psychological outreach and consultation services. It provides direct service to students and to spouses or partners of students in conjoint therapy. No fees are charged
COURSE OUTLINE
First Class – 8-23-07
Introduction – Review of Syllabus – Opening exercises
Second Class
– 8-30-07
Group Foundations
Yalom - Preface to the 5th Edition, Yalom, Ch. 1 - The Therapeutic Factors, Ch. 16 - Group Therapy: Ancestors and Cousins, & Ch. 17 - Training the Group Therapists
Third Class – 9-6-07 -1st Quiz Due
Group structure, process and interpersonal learning. Therapeutic Factors
Yalom, Ch. 2, - Interpersonal Learning, & 4 - The Therapeutic Factors: An Integration
Corey & Corey, Ch. 5 - Initial stage of a group
Fourth Class - 9-13-07
Group Cohesiveness
Basic Tasks
Yalom, Ch. 3 - Group Cohesion & 5 - The Therapist: Basic Tasks
Cohesion in Group Psychotherapy - Burlingame, Fuhriman, & Johnson
Fifth Class – 9-20-07 2nd Quiz Due
Creation and Composition of Therapy Groups
Yalom, Ch. 8 - The Selection of Clients, 9 - The Composition of Therapy Groups & 10 - Creation of the Group: Place, Time, Size, Preparation
Toseland & Rivas, Appendix E - Outline for a group proposal
Sixth Class – 9-27-07
Assessment and evaluation of clients
Group Treatment Ethics
Patterson and Basham - A Data Visualization Procedure for the Evaluation of Group Treatment Outcomes Across Units of Analysis (Available on the course website under Documents)
Corey & Corey Ch. 2 - Ethical and legal issues in group counseling
Seventh Class – 10-4--07 - 3rd Quiz Due
Setting of goals/Formative stages of group
Preparation for group therapy.
Johnson and Johnson - Group Goals, Social Interdependence, and Trust
Yalom, Ch. 11- In the Beginning
Eight Class - 10-11-07 -Fall Break
Nine Class - 10-18-07
Working in the Here and Now
Transference and Transparency
Yalom, Ch. 6 - The Therapist: Working in the Here and Now & 7 - The Therapist: Transference and Transparency
Tenth Class - 10-25-07 - 4th Quiz Due
Leadership Styles and Skills
Dynamics of damaging group experiences
Kottler - Your Behavior in Groups (Chapter 2) and Unique Leadership Skills
Smokowski et al. - Postgroup-casuality status, group events, and leader behavior: An early look into the dynamics of damaging group experiences.
Eleventh Class – 11-1-07
Special Populations
Corey & Corey, Ch. 10 - Groups for adolescents & 12 - Groups for the elderly.
Edwards & Edwards, 1984 -
Group work practice with American Indians.
Hurdle, 1991 -
The ethnic group experience.
Roffman, Picciano, Ryan, Beadnell, Fisher, Downey, & Kalichman, Prevention group counseling delivered by telephone: An efficacy trial with gay and bisexual men.
Everly, G. S., Crisis Magement Briefing (CMB): Large Group Crisis Intervention in Response to Terrorism, Disasters, and Violence (Available on the course website under Documents)
Twelfth Class 11-8-07 - 5th Quiz Due
The Advanced Group
Yalom, Ch. 12 - The Advanced
Group
Pollio, Reconstructing feminist group work.
Saulnier, Alcohol problems and marginalization: Social group work with lesbians.
Schiller - Stages of development in women's groups: A relational model.
Thirteenth Class 11-15-07 - Paper Due
Problem Patients
Yalom, Ch. 13 - Problem Patients
Special formats
Specialized therapy group
Yalom, Ch. 14 - The Therapist: Specialized Formats and Procedural Aids - & 15 - The Specialized Therapy Group
11-23-07 Thanksgiving Break
Fourteenth Class 11-29-07 - 6th Quiz Due
Extending treatment into the world
Ending the Group's Work
Spitz-Termination of the Group and Follow-up Planning
Pulling it all together
Final Due Due 12-7-2007
Group Theory and Treatment Bibliography
*Indicates a reading in the course reader.
Bloch, S., Crouch, E., & Reibstein, J. (1981). Therapeutic factors in group psychotherapy. Archives of General Psychiatry, 38(5), 519=526.
Blumberg, H. H., Hare, P., Kent, V., & Martin F. D. (1983). Small Groups and Social Interaction. (Vol. 2). New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Bostwick, J., G. J. (1987). "Where's Mary?" A review of the group treatment dropout literature. Social Work with Groups, 10(3), 117-132.
Braaten, L. J. (1991). Group cohesion: A new multidimensional model. GROUP, 15(1), 39-55.
Brekke, J. S. (1989). The use of orientation groups to engage hard-to-reach clients: Model, method, and evaluation. Social Work with Groups, 12, 2(75-88).
Budman, S. H., Soldz, S., Demby, A., Davis, M., & Merry, J. (1993). What is cohesiveness? An empirical examination. Small Group Research, 24(2), 199-216.
*Corey, M. & Corey, G. (1997). Initial stage of a group. Groups: Process and Practice (5th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.
*Corey, M. & Corey, G. (1997). Groups for adolescents. Groups: Process and Practice (5th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.
*Corey, M. & Corey, G. (1997). Groups for the elderly. Groups: Process and Practice (5th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.
*Corey, M. & Corey, G. (1997). Ethical and legal issues in group counseling. Groups: Process and Practice (5th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.
DeLucia-Waack, J. (1997). Measuring the effectiveness of group work: A review and analysis of process and outcome measures. The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 22(4), 277-293.
Dreikers, R. (1959). Early experiments with group therapy. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 13, 882-891.
*Edwards, E. D. & Edwards, M. E. (1984). Group work practice with American Indians. Ethnicity in Group Work Practice. The Haworth Press: New York.
Elman, D., & Rupple, D. (1978). Group discussion members' reactions to a structured opening exercise. Small Group Behavior, 9, 363-371.
Ettin, M. F. (1988). "By the crowd they have been broken, by the crowd they shall be healed": The advent of group psychotherapy. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 38(2), 139-167.
Evans, C. R., & Dion, K. L. (1991). Group cohesion and performance: A meta-analysis. Small Group Research, 22(2), 175-186.
Flowers, J. V. B., C. D. (1989). Four studies toward an empirical foundation for group therapy. Journal of Social Service Research, 13(2), 105-121.
Hack, T. F., Osachuk, T. A. G., & DeLuca, R. V. (1994). Group treatment for sexually abused preadolescent boys. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Human Service, 75(4), 217-228.
Hare, P. A., Blumberg, H. H., Davies, M. F., & Kent, M. V. (1994). Small Group Research: A Handbook. Norwood, New Jersey: Ablex Publishing Corporation.
Hill, C. E. (1990). Is individual therapy process really different from group therapy process? The Counseling Psychologist, 18(1), 126-130.
Hill, G. W. (1982). Group versus individual performance: Are N=1 heads better than one? Psychological Bulletin, 91, 517-539.
*Hurdle, D. E. (1991). The ethnic group experience. Ethnicity and Biculturalism. The Haworth Press: New York.
Kacen, L. (1999). Anxiety levels, group characteristics, and members' behaviors in the termination stage of support groups for patients recovering from heart attacks. Research on Social Work Practice, 9(6), 656-672.
*Lewis, E. A. & Ford, B. (1991). The network utilization project: Incorporating traditional strengths of African-American families into group work practice. Ethnicity and Biculturalism. The Haworth Press: New York.
Mullin, B., & Copper, C. (1994). The relation between group cohesion and performance: An integration. Psychological Bulletin, 115, 210-227.
Nadler, D. A. (1979). The effects of feedback on task group behavior: A review of the experimental research. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 23, 309-338.
Opalic, P. (1990). Group processes in short-term group therapy of psychotics. Small Group Research, 21(2), 168-189.
*Pollio, D.E. (2000), Reconstructing feminist group work. Social-Work-with-Groups. 23(2): 3-18, 2000.
Pratt, J. (1945). The group method in the treatment of psychosomatic disorders. Sociometry, 8, 323-331.
Reid, K. E. (1997). Social Work Practice with Groups: A clinical perspective. (Second ed.). Pacific Grove, California: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.
*Roffman-R.A; Picciano-J.F; Ryan-R; Beadnell-B; Fisher-D; Downey-L; Kalichman-S. C . (1997), Prevention group counseling delivered by telephone: an efficacy trial with gay and bisexual men. AIDS-and-Behavior. 1(2): 137-154, June 1997
*Rose, S. D. (1989). Preparing for group therapy: Planning treatment and orienting members. Working with Adults in Groups: Integrating cognitive, behavioral and small group strategies. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
*Rose, S. D. (1989). Setting individual and group goals. Working with Adults in Groups: Integrating cognitive, behavioral and small group strategies. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
*Rose, S. D. (1989). Involving group members in relaxation, breathing, meditation, and sociorecreational activities. Working with Adults in Groups: Integrating cognitive, behavioral and small group strategies. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
*Saulnier, C. F. (1997).
Alcohol problems and marginalization: social group work with
lesbians.
Social-Work-with-Groups.
20(3): 37-59, 1997..
*Schiller, L. Y. (1995). Stages of development in women's groups: A relational model. In Kurland, R. & Salmon, R. (Eds.), Group Work Practice in a Troubled Society: Problems and Opportunities. The Haworth Press: New York.
Smith, K. K., & White, G. L. (1983). Some alternatives to traditional social psychology of groups. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 9, 65-73.
*Smokowski, P. R., Rose, S., Todar, K., & Reardon, K. (1999). Postgroup-casuality status, group events, and leader behavior: An early look into the dynamics of damaging group experiences. Research on Social Work Practice. 9(5), 555-574.
Spitz, H. I. (1996). Group Psychotherapy and Managed Mental Health Care: A clinical guide for providers. New York: Bruner Mazel.
Springer, T. S., K. (1996). A review of inpatient group therapy for borderline personality disorder. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 3(5), 268-278.
*Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (1995). Outline for a group proposal (Appendix E). An Introduction to Group Work Practice. (2nd ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
*Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (1995). Evaluation. An Introduction to Group Work Practice. (2nd ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
*Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (1995). Evaluation. Ending the group's work. (2nd ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Tutty, L. M., Bidgood, B. A., & Rothery, M. A. (1996). Evaluating the effect of group process and client variables in support groups for battered women. Research on Social Work Practice, 6(3), 308-324.
Wulsin, L., Bachop, M., & Hoffman, D. (1988). Group therapy in manic-depressive illness. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 42(2), 263-271.
Yalom, I. D. (1995). The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy. (4th ed.). New York: Basic Books.
Zimmerman, T. S., Jacobsen, R. B., MacIntyre, M., & Watson, C. (1996). Solution-focused parenting groups: An empirical study. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 15(4), 12-25.
Zimmerman, T. S., Prest, L.A., & Wetzel, B. E. (1997). Solution-focused couples therapy groups: An empirical study. Journal of Family Therapy, 19, 125-144.