Group Counseling Certification (12 CE)

Course Title: Group Counseling Certification Course (12 CE) - Live Online Interactive
CE Hours: 12
Target Audience: Psychologists, MFT, Social Workers, Counselors
Course Level: Introductory

Course Format: Live online, interactive

Presented By: Nathaniel G. Wade, PhD, Iowa State University

Content Created and Reviewed By: Jessica Patterson, LISW, DSW, CEU Creations Educational Manager

Bios: 

Following his undergrad graduation, Dr. Wade worked for 4 years as an addictions counselor in both an abstinence-based agency and a methadone clinic. He then went to graduate school for counseling psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University. He finished his PhD in 2003 and joined the Iowa State faculty that same year. He is now associate chair and professor of psychology at Iowa State and founding director of Network Community Counseling Services. He is a licensed psychologist in the state of Iowa and a certified group psychotherapist.

Nathaniel’s research interests center on the processes and outcomes of psychotherapy. Specifically, he has worked to develop and test interventions to promote forgiveness, to understand the impact of integrating religion and spirituality into psychotherapy, and to reduce the stigma associated with seeking counseling. His most recent interest is integrating exercise into psychotherapy. He has published three edited books, over 100 scholarly articles and chapters, and has received over 7 million in grant funding. He is an APA fellow of two divisions: Group Psychology and Psychotherapy and the Society of Counseling Psychology.

When not working, he enjoys spending time with family, hiking in the mountains of New England, listening to podcasts and audiobooks while working outside, and playing soccer each week with the “over-the-hill” crowd.

Learning Objectives: 

By the end of the training, participants will be able to: 

1. Recognize the difference between process and content in group therapy.
2. Describe the self-reflective loop and how that aids in promoting change in a group setting.
3. Describe four of the core therapeutic factors that create the curative foundation of any therapeutic group.
4. Describe two core features of the Initial Stage of group development.
5. Recognize important group dynamics in the Transition Stage of group development.
6. Identify two characteristics of the Working Stage of group development.
7. Name two key group tasks of the Ending Stage of group development.
8. Identify three skills for promoting process discussions in the group. 
9. Apply at least one appropriate group leader intervention for each stage of group development.
10. Describe eight of the core group therapeutic factors.
11. Describe how the core group therapeutic factors can be used to promote change in a therapeutic group.

Course Description (Day 1): This course will provide an overview of the core principles needed to conduct effective therapeutic groups. We will examine group dynamics and the stages of group development, and also identify the therapeutic factors that make groups effective.

Timed Agenda (Day 1): 

5:45 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. PST Log in and Networking

6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Keys to Effective Practice: Core Concepts for Group Leaders 

9:00 a.m. – 9:40 a.m. Midway Reset

9:40 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Keys to Effective Practice: Core Concepts for Group Leaders

Course Description (Day 2): Learn specific skills for developing and intervening with therapeutic groups, such as how to promote discussions of group process and how to leverage specific therapeutic factors at optimal moments of the group.

For helping professionals, group therapy is an additional way to support clients, expand clinical impact, and diversify therapeutic approaches. If you’re looking to branch into group therapy or already have but need some guidance, this course is for you!

Timed Agenda (Day 2): 

5:45 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. PST Log in and Networking

6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Keys to Effective Practice: Core Concepts for Group Leaders

9:00 a.m. – 9:40 a.m. Midway Reset

9:40 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Keys to Effective Practice: Core Concepts for Group Leaders

Social Workers completing this course receive 12 Ethics continuing education credits.

Association for the Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0112.

Association for the Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Counselors as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed counselors #MHC-0165.

Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 17161 for 12 contact hours.

CE Certificate: After successfully completing all the requirements of the course, you will be able to access your CE certificate in your online student account. 

System Requirements:

Internet: broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE)
Supported browsers:

Windows: Internet Explorer 11+, Edge 12+, Firefox 27+, Chrome 30+
macOS: Safari 7+, Firefox 27+, Chrome 30+
Linux: Firefox 27+. Chrome 30+

Grievance/Refund Policy/Cancellation Policy
AATBS is fully committed to conducting all activities in strict conformance with the major mental health approving boards. AATBS will comply with all legal and ethical responsibilities to be non-discriminatory in promotional activities, program content and in the treatment of program participants. The monitoring and assessment of compliance with these standards will be the responsibility of the Program Director in consultation with the members of the continuing education committee.

Customer satisfaction is important to us. If you are unsatisfied for any reason, please send your complaint or questions in writing to info@aatbs.com. You can view our refund policy here.

For additional information, including our Cancellation Policy, please review our Terms & Conditions.

Accommodations for Disabilities

To request accommodation; please contact our office at 1-800-472-1931 or email info@aatbs.com.