Significance of the Problem
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Identify specific problem areas and the population that will benefit from a group counseling experience. Include the types of problems encountered, the reasons why you selected the population and why the members participating in group counseling would benefit. Make sure you have references from the literature. (Earley, 2000)

Type of Group

The type of group is a support group design. Examine why a support group is helpful for your population.

Goals

Explain what the members will gain in this group by stating the goals. Goals have to be concrete and measurable.

The Setting & Practical Considerations

Decide whether this group will be an “opened or closed group.” Include a description of the group’s composition, size, frequency of sessions, duration of sessions, and meeting location, i.e. residential, hospital, outpatient, school, hospital, residential, or community setting. Explain how you would announce and recruit members.

Selection of Client Procedures

Explain the screening method you would use in selecting members appropriate for the kind of group you’re designing. Identify specific criteria of exclusion and/or inclusion that will determine a client’s appropriateness for this group. Describe the member selection procedure.

Theory and Techniques

Identify and define an established theory (or theories) you propose to use as intervention. Give a brief explanation why this theory is best suited for the kind of population you plan to serve and explain how the techniques will help accomplish member’s goals.

Therapeutic Principles

Examine the factors from the theory you propose that influence the processes of change. Explain how these factors will help members achieve their goals.

Handling Difficult and Problematic Clients

Identify and define three types of clients that can interfere with the group’s process and progress. Explain how the leader will handle problematic clients.

Evaluation of Clients

Demonstrate the efficacy of the group and measure its accountability. You are to develop a questionnaire and describe specific measures that will evaluate the members’ progress. The questionnaire itself should be found in the Appendix section.

Evaluation of Counselor

Describe specific measures how group members will evaluate the leader. Avoid vague words and generalizations. You are to develop a questionnaire and describe specific measures that will evaluate the counselor. The questionnaire itself should be found in the Appendix section.

REFERENCES

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Example: Earley, J. (2000). Interactive group therapy: Integrating interpersonal, action-oriented, and psychodynamic approaches. Philadelphia, PA: Brunner/Mazel.

(Note: References is a separate stand-alone page. Consider using several references throughout your paper. Make sure that if you have a reference in the text, it should be mentioned in this page.)

The Appendix must be a separate page. (Scroll down.)