Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Study Course Description

Group Counselling and Psychotherapy

Main Study Course Information

Course Code

VPUPK_154

Branch of Science

Psychology

ECTS

3.00

Target Audience

Psychology

LQF

Level 7

Study Type And Form

Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor

Aelita Vagale

Structure Unit Manager

Kristīne Mārtinsone

Structural Unit

Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy

Contacts

Riga, 5 J. Asara Street, vppk@rsu.lv, +37167061587

About Study Course

Objective

Theoretically and practically acquire knowledge and skills in group selection and group counselling in the field of health behaviour; to improve group research and counselling methods in the group management process in various professional environments; to develop the ability to apply counselling skills in a group on health behaviour issues, to improve knowledge, skills and competence in organising and leading different types of groups for client groups of different ages and with various problems.

Preliminary Knowledge

Professional activity of a psychologist, psychological counselling, clinical health psychology.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Students define group counselling and its basic principles in the field of health behaviour, define indications for group counselling, describe the similarities and differences of individual and group counselling in different professional environments. Describe the basic principles for group formation and identify group processes. Understand therapeutic factors and the need to plan/ structure a group process. List the roles and tasks of the group leader.

Skills

1.Students integrate the acquired knowledge into the process of the study group, conducting a structured group task for an informative and educational group in the presence of a lecturer. Initially within the training task, demonstrate the ability to conclude a group contract. Use group counselling skills, methods and techniques in a structured task. Analyse group processes and group dynamics in managing their own and other students’ group work, justify their opinion with theoretical knowledge.

Competences

1.Students create and independently prepare a group plan for a certain number of sessions for an informative educational group in the field of health behaviour and demonstrate group counselling skills. Students have experience in applying counselling skills in a study group, are able to use the acquired group counselling skills in one of the professional environments; develop their skills by supervising their activities. Have experience of self-reflection.

Assessment

Individual work

Title	% from total grade	Grade
1. Individual work	-	-
Active participation in practical classes, independent study of theoretical sources of literature. Preparation for the implementation of the group counselling task in the study group. Requirements: Preparation and management of an informative educational group on a specific topic related to health behaviour (the topic is agreed with the lecturer) in the study environment. Preparation of a plan of 10 sessions on a specific topic, using the latest research and theoretical sources. The plan describes the theory of the main topic of the group and the topics of 10 sessions according to the goal of the group. The description includes: group topic, goals, a short theoretical description of the type and topic of the group, reference to research, a detailed plan of the 3rd lesson with a time reference for the tasks. After the study assignment – group management in the study environment, the “Feedback page” is filled in according to the given sample.

Examination

Title	% from total grade	Grade
1. Examination	-	-
Examination task: 1. Previously prepared and submitted plan of 10 group lessons according to the specified sample (sent to e-mail). 2. One informative educational (third) lesson (45 min.) conducted for a group of students in the presence of a lecturer. 3. Positive feedback received from the participants of the student group and the lecturer. 4. A feedback page on own skills as a group leader filled in according to the given sample and submitted (sent to e-mail) about own as a group leader skills according to the given sample at the following class.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME

Part 1

Lecture

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

Group and its members. Diversity of groups. Advantages and limitations of group work. Aims and tasks of the group. Selection of group members. Group composition and cultural competence issues. Norms and rules in the group.

Lecture

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

Lecture

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

Group leader as a personality. General professional competencies of the team leader and professional identity. Group leader and group management. Group leader roles and management styles. Difficulties of young group leaders and overcoming them. Basic principles of ethics and professional competence as part of professional ethics.

Lecture

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

Group process. Group dynamics. Therapeutic factors. Stages of group development.

Class/Seminar

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2