Event Description

Group counseling services are considered the mainstay of all clinical services. It is essential that everyone leading groups possess effective group facilitation skills. Facilitators skilled in group counseling methods are better prepared to assist group members in practicing communications skills, can effectively role play difficult situations, can give and receive feedback, can identify and name feelings, and provide support, all of which correlate to positive client outcomes.

The goal of this Group Counseling: Intentionally Built & Effectively Facilitated Enhanced Professional Learning series (EPL) is to help group leaders build skills, increase knowledge on evidence-based practices in group counseling, avoid unhelpful or non-therapeutic group activities, and elevate confidence in providing quality group counseling services through feedback and practice. Participants will have weekly learning opportunities to share group counseling experiences and practice group facilitation skills.

This EPL will focus on how to envision and build groups and develop/refine facilitation skills, including knowledge and skills related to:

· Building group cohesion

· Managing conflict

· Redirecting clients who monopolize group discussion or stray off topic

· Managing unhelpful advice given from one member to another

· Eliciting client participation rather than lecturing

· Handling content and process issues

· Awareness of group work versus individual casework within a group

· Using reflection to refine and enhance facilitation skills.

WHEN: Every Wednesday, July 31 – September 25, 2024 from 2 – 3:30 pm MDT / 3 – 4:30 pm CDT

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Mental health professionals who are located in the Mountain Plains MHTTC region (HHS Region 8 includes CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, and WY).

PARTICIPANT COMMITMENT & EXPECTATIONS

· Attend a live 1-hour Orientation Session on July 31 at 2pm MDT/3pm CDT

· Commit to 8-weeks of training for 1.5 hours weekly from August 7 – September 25

· Complete 1-hour of weekly self-study learning activities

· Access to appropriate technology to utilize online videoconferencing platform (i.e., an internet connection, webcam, computer/tablet, speakers, and microphone)

· Be prepared and actively engage while on camera during the scheduled series time.

Trainers

Kate Speck, PhD, MAC, LADC

Paul Warren, LMSW

Amy Shanahan, MS, CADC