Group dynamics and their importance in the counseling process and counseling outcome is studied. Emphasis is given to the application of various counseling and psychotherapeutic approaches in the group setting. Graduates are committed to their roles as helping professionals. Graduates are capable of excellence in their professional practice.
Graduates think systematically about their practice, use research, and contribute knowledge base.
The prospective group counselor will learn to appreciate the great diversity of individuals likely to enter group counseling and how to address those differences in an appropriate manner. The prospective group counselor will come to understand both individual and group motivation and interactional patterns to create a counseling environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement, and intrinsic motivation. The prospective counselor will learn to use effective verbal and non-verbal communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in group counseling sessions. The prospective group counselor will learn the value of ongoing and frequent self-evaluation and will learn to seek out frequent opportunities for professional growth and development. Students will work in pairs to develop an exercise for the class that is appropriate for group counseling.