Roosevelt University Curriculum
Psychology 650-01: Group Psychotherapy
The objective of this course is to introduce the students to the field of group psychotherapy and in particular to the interpersonal approach. The principal modality that will be presented is based on Dr. Irvin Yalom's conceptualization, augmented by therapeutic principles discussed in the psychodynamic literature. The course is presented as a general introduction to the field of group psychotherapy. It is designed to explore (a) the basic foundations of group psychotherapy, (b) the curative factors, and (c) an in-depth discussion of selected topics such as boundaries, resistance, coping skills, and ethical code of behavior for group psychotherapists.
The course will include two sections. One is a didactic part that includes lectures, discussion, student presentations, a term paper and a final written exam, which will be graded (see below). The second section is conducted as a simulated experience and is not graded.
Course Goals
The objectives of the course are as follows:
- To present the fundamental of group psychotherapy including a review of the relevant research,
- To familiarize the students with the basic group therapy interventions through didactic/personal experiences,
- To encourage critical thinking and evaluation of processes based on the reading.
Homework Assignments and Responsibilities
- All submissions must be typed, double spaced and must follow the APA style.
- Term papers: Students will submit a paper in the form of a review of the research literature concerning specific issues related to the topic of the course. Topics will be either assigned by the instructor or they may be suggested by the student and approved by the instructor. The papers should cover at least 20 references and be 15-20 pages long, double-spaced. Papers must follow the APA Style [see: APA (1994). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th. ed.) Washington DC: APA].
- Students are expected to be on time and attend every session. Since the classes also include simulated group experience, attending each session is very important. Missing classes may result in a failure to pass the course.
- Students are expected to read the weekly reading assignments and participate in presentations of issues as assigned to them by the instructor.
The didactic section: Students will be evaluated and graded only on the material presented in, and their participation, during this section. Such evaluation will be based on (a) their term paper (50%) and (b) a final multiple-choice exam (50%). Both the term paper and the exam will be taken and graded anonymously with the names of the writers revealed to the grader only after the grading.
The simulated experience: Students will not be graded on the basis of their performance in this section. However, they are expected to attend every session in this section. The nature of this section will be described to the students and their active participation in it will be voluntary based on their consent.
All assignments are expected to be submitted on time. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Class participation: 10%
Term papers: 45%
Final exam: 45%
Yalom, I. D. (1995). The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy (4th ed). New York: Basic Books.
Resource Readings:
MacKenzie, K. R. (Ed.) (1992). Classics in Group Psychotherapy. New York: Guilford.
Corey, M.S., & Corey, G. (2002). Legal and ethical issues in group counseling. In. M. S. Coery & G. Corey, Groups: Process and Practice . (6th ed.) (pp. 68-90). Pacific Grove CA: Brooks/Cole.
Corey, M.S., & Corey, G. (2002). Groups: Process and Practice. (6th ed.). Pacific Grove CA: Brooks/Cole.
Additional material articles will be added periodically.
1. The field of Group Psychotherapy.
2. Forming the Group: Membership & Selection.
3. Group structure: Sociometry and subgroups.
***Completion of term paper topic selections ***
4. The Beginning phase: Dynamics and issues.
5. Curative Factors (Student-led discussion).
6. Curative factors: (Student-led discussion).
7. (Mini-marathon)
9. The transition stage.
10. The difficult client, transference and counter-transference.
11. Boundaries: Resistance and defenses.
12. Ethics and ethical behavior/Role boundaries/Dual roles.
13. The maturation (working through) phase.
14. The process of termination.
*** Term papers due ***
15. The process of termination
16. Final exam — no group session.
The order of the lectures may be slightly changed depending on the progress of the group.