V. COUNSELING

B. GROUP COUNSELING

 

1. Describe, select, and appropriately use strategies from accepted and culturally appropriate models for group counseling with clients with substance use disorders.

Knowledge

1. A variety of group methods appropriate to achieving client objectives in a treatment population.
2. Research concerning the effectiveness of varying models and strategies for group counseling with general populations.
3. Research concerning the effectiveness of varying models and strategies for populations with substance use disorders.
4. Research and theory concerning the effectiveness of varying models and strategies for group counseling with members of varying cultural groups.
5. Therapeutic use of humor.

Skills

1. Designing and implementing strategies to meet the needs of specific groups.
2. Recognizing and accommodating appropriate individual needs within the group.
3. Leading therapeutic groups for clients with substance use disorders.
4. Using humor appropriately.

Attitudes

1. Openness and flexibility in the choice of counseling strategies that meet needs of the group and the individuals within the group.
2. Recognition of the value of the use of groups as an effective therapeutic intervention.

 

2. Carry out the actions necessary to form a group, including, but not limited to: determining group type, purpose, size, and leadership; recruiting and selecting members; establishing group goals and clarifying behavioral ground rules for participating; identifying outcomes; and determining criteria and methods for termination or graduation from the group. 

Knowledge

1. Specific group models and strategies relative to clientís age, gender, cultural context.
2. Selection criteria, methods, and instruments for screening and selecting group members.
3. General principles for selecting group goals, outcomes, and ground rules.
4. General principles for appropriately graduating group members and terminating groups.

Skills

1. Conducting screening interviews.
2. Assessing individual clientís appropriateness for participation in group.
3. Using group process to negotiate group goals, outcomes, and ground rules within the context of the individual needs and objectives of group members.
4. Using group process to negotiate appropriate criteria and methods for transition to the next appropriate level of care.
5. Adapting group counseling skills as appropriate for group type.

Attitudes

1. Recognition of the importance of involving group members in the establishment of group goals, outcomes, ground rules, and graduation and termination criteria.
2. Recognition of the fact that the nature of the specific group model should depend on the needs, goals, outcomes, and cultural context of the participants.

 

3. Facilitate the entry of new members and the transition of exiting members. 

Knowledge

1. Developmental processes affecting therapeutic groups over time.
2. Issues faced by individuals and the group as a whole upon entry of new members.
3. Issues faced by individuals and by the group as a whole upon exit of members.
4. Characteristics of transition stages in therapeutic groups.
5. Characteristics of therapeutic group behavior.

Skills

1. Using group process to prepare group members for transition and to resolve transitional issues.
2. Effectively dealing with different types of resistant behaviors, transference, and countertransference issues.
3. Recognizing when members are ready to exit.

Attitudes

1. Recognition of the need to balance individual needs with group needs, goals, and outcomes.
2. Appreciation for the contribution of new and continuing group members in the group process.
3. Maintaining non-judgmental attitudes and behaviors.
4. Respect for the emotional experience of the entry and exit of group members on the rest of the group.

 

4. Facilitate group growth within the established ground rules and movement toward group and individual goals by using methods consistent with group type.    

Knowledge

1. Leadership, facilitator, and counseling methods appropriate for each group type and therapeutic setting.
2. Types and uses of power and authority in therapeutic group process.
3. Stages of group development and counseling methods appropriate to each stage.

Skills

1. Applying group counseling methods leading to measurable progress toward group and individual goals and outcomes.
2. Recognizing when and how to use appropriate power.
3. Documenting measurable progress toward group and individual goals.

Attitudes

1. Recognition of the value of the use of different group counseling methods and leadership or facilitation styles.
2. Appreciation for the role and power of the group facilitator.
3. Appreciation for the role and power of various group members in the group process.

 

5. Understand the concepts of process and content, and shift the focus of the group when such an intervention will help the group move toward its goals. 

Knowledge

1. Definitions of the concepts of process and content.
2. Difference between the group process and the content of the discussion.
3. Methods and techniques of group problem solving, decision-making, and addressing group conflict.
4. How process variables affect the groupís ability to focus on content concerns.
5. How content variables affect the groupís ability to focus on process concerns.

Skills

1. Observing and documenting process and content.
2. Assessing when to make appropriate process interventions.
3. Using strategies congruent with enhancing both process and content in order to meet individual and group goals.

Attitudes

1. Appreciating the appropriate use of content and process interventions.

 

6. Describe and summarize client behavior within the group for the purpose of documenting the clientís progress and identifying needs and issues that may require a modification in the treatment plan. 

Knowledge

1. How individual treatment issues may surface within the context of group process.
2. Situations in which significant differences between individual and group goals require changing either the individualís goals or the groupís focus.

Skills

1. Recognizing that a clientís behavior can be, but is not always, reflective of the clientís treatment needs.
2. Documenting clientís group behavior that has implications for treatment planning.
3. Recognizing the similarities and differences between individual needs and group processes.
4. Redesigning individual treatment plans based on the observation of group behaviors.

Attitudes

1. Recognition of the value of accurate documentation.
   Appreciation of individual differences in rates of progress towards treatment goals and use of group intervention.

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Email: no@nattc.org | Revised March 1998