Participation in experiential learning is essential to the development of group skills. In this section of the class, you will have the chance to experience being a group leader and a group member.
Students will participate in a live mock therapy group of five or six students for a period of five weeks. Students take turns being a group member and group leader. Each student will be the group leader (or co-leader) for one week and will be in the role of group member for the other 4 weeks. Leaders and members will reflect on the group processes occuring in their groups each week through the use of group logs.
Students will submit a written description of the group topic they plan to use for their week as a leader during week 8. The group topic should be appropriate for the classroom setting and not require significant self-disclosure of group members. Ideas include groups about self-care, groups about planning for the future, groups that try a therapy skill like CBT that you would like ot practice, and you are also welcome to create your own ideas. You may decide to give your group members homework that takes no more than 30 minutes in preparation for the group session you lead.
Group leaders and group members must be present for the mock group sessions; makeup credit is not possible. Students in both the leader and member roles will be graded on the quality and detail of their reflection (and not the success of their group idea).
Guidelines
- Each student will submit a 1 paragraph statement explaining the group therapy topic they plan to utilize during the week in which they are the leader for their experiential group practice session. If you plan to give your group members “homework” to prepare for the group session, please that intention/ what you plan to provide for homework in your statement.
- In addition to this paragraph, you may also submit questions you have about the experiential therapy groups. Your questions will be answered but not graded.
- If you are in a group of 6 students (meaning there is one group that will be co-lead), please indicate that you are co-leading on your assignment. You and the co-leader should both turn in your own proposals but indicate that you are co-leading. Please provide an additional paragraph that clarifies which responsibilities you have as the leader / which responsibilities your co-leader h
