Department of Human & Community Development, University of Illinois

                                                                                                           
                    

Undergraduate Programs

Course Information

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HDFS 261 self-help group dev & process

2 hours (lecture-discussion)

Spring Semesters

Course Objectives

  • Develop a working definition of self-help groups
  • Expand attitudes and knowledge of the usefulness of self-help groups for personal, family and professional purposes
  • Develop an understanding of the role of professionals with self-help groups
  • Experience what it might be like to form a self-help group and participate as a member of a self-help group
  • Develop Active Listening and Caring Skills including Silence, Non-Verbal Cues, Productive Questioning, Paraphrase, Expression of Emotions and Feelings, Behavioral Cues, Fogging and Negative Inquiry and Listening in a Healing Way
  • Develop an understanding of and application of the use of story telling and narrative within the self-help group process
  • Apply the steps in planning and maintenance of a self-help group including:
    • Identification of group models and resources
    • Making decisions about the structure of the group
    • Developing a group agenda/format
    • Effective ways to reach potential members
    • Ways to increase membership diversity
    • Effective use of leadership and facilitation strategies
    • Ways to involve the membership
    • Developing awareness of group dynamics
    • Application of communication skills within groups
    • Ways to handle group difficulties
    • Evaluation of the group functioning
    • When and how to refer when the group is not enough
    • Ways to disengage and utilize rituals for group endings

Topics

  • Self-help groups: what they are, how they work
  • Keys to a member-friendly group
  • Facilitation styles
  • Stages of group development
  • Neurolinguistics and non-verbal listening skills
  • Professional roles and viewpoints
  • Facilitation skills
  • Storytelling and narrative
  • Handling group challenges
  • Guided imagery and therapeutic writing in groups
  • Nonviolent communication
  • Evaluation within groups
  • Ending your group with dignity

Graded Activities

  • Critical thinking exercises (4)
  • Self-help group visit report
  • Group presentation
  • Personal learning report

 

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