COUN 6973 - Group Counseling Theory and Practice
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 42619,
Credit hours: 2
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Madeleine Stevens
Email: mmstevens@ysu.edu
Course Description
6973. Group Counseling Theory and Practice. Theories pertaining to group dynamics, process, interaction, consultation, and counselor intervention. For counseling majors or by permission of Department of Counseling. 2 s.h.
Theories pertaining to group dynamics, process, interaction, consultation, and counselor intervention. Course is taken concurrently with COUN 6973L.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Groups: A counseling specialty. (9th ed.). Pearson. (2024). | Gladding, S. T. | 978-0-13-537234-0 |
- ASGW Web Page
The Association for Specialists in Group Work, a division of the American Counseling Association, provides resources for practitioners in group work.
http://www.asgw.org/
- American Counseling Association Code of Ethics (2014)
- American School Counseling Association Code of Ethics
- ACPA and NASPA Ethical Guidelines
- Other readings as assigned throughout the course.
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Tentative Course Schedule (Subject to Change)
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Introductions to classmates, instructors, and course Pair students and assign dates for Group activity co-leadership experience COURSE SECTION I: Foundations of Group Work Brief History of Group Work (Gladding: Ch. 18) |
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| 8/31 | COURSE SECTION I: Foundations of Group Work Effective Group Leadership and Group Co-leadership; Ethical and Legal Aspects of Groupwork Reading Quizzes Begin Group Activity Co-Leadership Activities Begin CACREP 2024 Standards met: 3.F.4, 3.F.9 |
Group Activity Co-Leadership Activity – Dyad 1: CACREP Self-Ratings 1 due via Microsoft Forms; Beginning of Semester Needs Survey due by start of class time (see BB for links) Bi-weekly anonymous check-in survey (on BB via Microsoft Forms) |
|
| 9/7 | Gladding: Ch. 8 ASGW Multicultural and Social Justice Competence Principles for Group Workers (2012) ASGW Ten Strategies to Intentionally Use Group Work to Transform Hate, Facilitate Courageous Conversations, and Enhance Community Building (2018) |
COURSE SECTION I: Foundations of Group Work Diversity and Social Justice in Groups CACREP 2024 Standards met: 3.F.8 |
Reading Quiz Dyad 2: Dyad 3: |
| 9/14 | COURSE SECTION I: Foundations of Group Work Application of Technology Related to Group Work CACREP 2024 Standards met: 3.F.6 |
Reading Quiz Dyad 4: Dyad 5: Bi-weekly anonymous check-in survey (on BB via Microsoft Forms) Group Observation Experience Proposal due to BB by start of class |
|
| 9/21 | Gladding: Chs. 1 & 2 ASGW Guiding Principles (2021) |
COURSE SECTION I: Foundations of Group Work Types of Groups, Therapeutic Factors in Groups, & Group Dynamics and Process CACREP 2024 Standards met: 3.F.2, 3.F.3, 3.F.7 |
Reading Quiz Dyad 6: Dyad 7: |
| 9/28 | Gladding: Ch. 4 and Ch. 5 (Storming section only) | COURSE SECTION II: Group Stages and Tasks Forming & Storming CACREP 2024 Standards met: 3.F.5 |
Reading Quiz Dyad 8: Dyad 9: Bi-weekly anonymous check-in survey (on BB via Microsoft Forms) |
| 10/5 | Gladding: Ch. 5 (Norming section only) and Ch. 6 | COURSE SECTION II: Group Stages and Tasks Norming & Working/Performing | Reading Quiz Dyad 10: Dyad 11: CACREP Self-Ratings 2 due via Microsoft Forms (see BB for link) |
| 10/12 | Gladding: Ch. 7 | COURSE SECTION II: Group Stages and Tasks Closing/Adjourning & Group Evaluation Review Group Note Writing Last Reading Quiz |
Reading Quiz Group Observation Experience Reflection due to BB Dyad 12: Dyad 13: |
| 10/19 | NO CLASS | ||
| 10/26 | Gladding: Ch. 15 | COURSE SECTION III: Overview of Group Counseling Theories and Techniques Reality Therapy and Adlerian Groups CACREP 2024 Standards met: 3.F.1, 3.F.2, 3.F.3, 3.F.4, 3.F.5, 3.F.7, 3.F.8, 3.F.9 |
Group Presentation and Demonstrations begin – all printed materials to be uploaded to BB by start of class (for the groups presenting) Group 1 (Reality): Group 2 (Adlerian): Bi-weekly anonymous check-in survey (on BB via Microsoft Forms) |
| 11/2 | Gladding: Ch. 15 & 16 | COURSE SECTION III: Overview of Group Counseling Theories and Techniques Person-Centered and Existential Groups Group Presentations/Demonstrations CACREP 2024 Standards met: 3.F.1, 3.F.2, 3.F.3, 3.F.4, 3.F.5, 3.F.7, 3.F.8, 3.F.9 |
Group 3 (Person-Centered): Group 4 (Existential): |
| 11/9 | Gladding: Ch. 16 & 17 | COURSE SECTION III: Overview of Group Counseling Theories and Techniques Gestalt and REBT Groups Group Presentations/Demonstrations CACREP 2024 Standards met: 3.F.1, 3.F.2, 3.F.3, 3.F.4, 3.F.5, 3.F.7, 3.F.8, 3.F.9 |
Group 7 (TA): Group 8 (Solution-Focused): |
| 11/16 | Gladding: Ch. 16 & 17 | COURSE SECTION III: Overview of Group Counseling Theories and Techniques Transactional Analysis and Solution-Focused Groups Group Presentations/Demonstrations CACREP 2024 Standards met: 3.F.1, 3.F.2, 3.F.3, 3.F.4, 3.F.5, 3.F.7, 3.F.8, 3.F.9 |
Group 7 (TA): Group 8 (Solution-Focused): |
| 11/23 | Gladding: Ch. 17 | COURSE SECTION III: Overview of Group Counseling Theories and Techniques Narrative Therapy and Psychodrama Groups Group Presentations/Demonstrations CACREP 2024 Standards met: 3.F.1, 3.F.2, 3.F.3, 3.F.4, 3.F.5, 3.F.7, 3.F.8, 3.F.9 |
Group 9 (Narrative): Group 10 (Psychodrama): |
| 11/30 | COURSE SECTION IV: Review and Wrap-up MINI GROUPWORK CONFERENCE CACREP 2024 Standards met: 3.F.1, 3.F.2, 3.F.4, 3.F.5, 3.F.7, 3.F.8, 3.F.9 |
Group Proposal and Theory Integration Poster Presentations– All students must bring their posters to class on this day ready to be displayed. FIRST HALF OF CLASS Poster Presentation Group 1: SECOND HALF OF CLASS: Poster Presentation Group 2: CACREP Self-Ratings 3 due via Microsoft Forms (see BB for link Final Exam opens on BB at 8:00 p.m. |
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| 12/7 | FINALS WEEK CLASS DOES NOT MEET! |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.