CPD Certificate in Group Therapy

Programme Content

This module aims to assist the learner in gaining a deeper background of understanding regarding the objectives, strategies, skills and climate formation in group counselling.

There will be particular focus on the evolution of group process, stages of group development, key tasks of group leadership at the various stages of a group and the creation and implementation of group techniques to facilitate awareness, change and perspective-transformation.

The syllabus is dynamic and experiential and focuses on themes and issues raised within the group context. Such themes include:

• Theoretical underpinnings of group psychotherapy;
• Advantages and disadvantages of group therapy;
• Therapeutic factors in group;
• History of group counselling;
• Establishing a therapeutic group;
• Contracting in group therapy;
• Establishing goals of therapy groups;
• The beginning phase in group therapy;
• The transition period in a group therapy;
• The working stage in group therapy;
• Understanding group dynamics;
• Blocks to communication in group;
• Dealing with conflict in group;
• Ethical issues in group counselling;
• Dealing with problem situations;
• Termination of a group; and

Learners on this programme must evidence completion of 10 sessions of group therapy.

Written Assignment

Learners are required to submit a 2,500-word assignment comprised of two parts:

Part a) – Theoretical Considerations

Learners will critically evaluate group therapy as a model of intervention, drawing on key literature to reflect on strengths and limitations. Learners will reflect on theoretical and practical knowledge of the therapeutic relationship as it applies to group and include evaluations of key considerations such as dynamics, boundaries and differences between one-to-one and group therapy.

Part b) – Personal and Professional Reflections

Learners will utilise their experience of group therapy to judiciously evaluate it from a personal and professional perspective. Reflections should include evaluation of the evolution of the group process and the personal and professional transformative learning that occurred for them. Learners will also demonstrate the manner in which they identified and managed self in the group therapy process, critically reflecting on how this may apply to work with clients.