Problem: There are three parts to this assessment. Part 1 requires you to work collaboratively and experientially with your group, which will result in facilitating and participating in group work simulations. Parts 2 and 3 are a critically self-reflective journal of your own experience of running and participating in group work experiences.
Part 1: Working with Groups (The Experiential Process, not graded)
Use your time within the group to reflect upon the foundations, principles, knowledge, theory, and skills for Mezzo level practice (Topics 1- 3).
Work together to develop and simulate a new program to practice key group work techniques and ideas. Together students should take time to develop and plan a group, co-facilitate, and participate as a member of the group. Work together to research into various groups you would like to run, such as groups dedicated to specific populations (i.e., fathering, certain age groups, gender, LGBTQIA+), specific presenting problems (i.e., substance misuse, anxiety/depression), certain techniques (art, play, music, or nature-based therapies), psychoeducational (i.e, parenting and anger management), restorative practices (i.e, fishbowls), or consciousness-raising (i.e., political, feminist, environmental). Students are encouraged to creatively develop, facilitate, and experiment with a group of their choice.
In this simulation, students should take care to create a supportive and safe learning environment for themselves and others. Consult the workbook for strategies for moving in and out of group work simulations.
Make sure to reflect after each group simulation on the group processes and make sure to record your notes (maintaining the confidentiality of others) in your reflective journal. This will help you work towards your assessment. Need Assignment Help?
Part 2: The Reflective Journal (Facilitation, 900 words)
During the group process, maintain a journal reflecting on your experience facilitating the group. Describe the type of group you decided to run, the activities you facilitated, and reflect on the usefulness of your engagement. Cite the literature and evidence that informed your facilitation of the group.
The journal should include your strengths and areas for further development as a facilitator, the type of group you ran, the techniques you used, the stages you observed in the group work process, and the relevant theories that informed how you ran the group.
Part 3: The Reflective Journal (Participation, 900 words)
Similar to Part 2, this section is a reflection on your experience of participating in a particular group facilitated by another student. Provide observations with links to relevant group work theory. You may describe your levels of engagement and stages of group processes you observed, your engagement, and the skills of the other facilitator(s). Cite the literature and evidence that inform your reflection. Focus on what the facilitator of the group did that was particularly impactful or useful for you as a group participant.