HSVC 415 Working with Families and Groups: A Systems Perspective (SS) *

This course introduces students to the fundamental skills and concepts for working with families and groups. Students will learn the theoretical constructs, including systems theory, the family life cycle, and stages of group development, that guide this work. Special emphasis is placed on understanding culturally relevant approaches to engaging with diverse families and groups. Students will gain familiarity with evidence supported and clinically relevant approaches for assessment, goal setting, and intervention within family and group contexts. 

Credits

5

Prerequisite

PSY 240 or PSY 311, PSY 209 or PSY 312, HSVC 200

Outcomes

1. This course will prepare students to:
2. Apply professional codes of ethics to family and group work.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the family life cycle as it applies to family dynamics and functioning.
4. Describe group process, dynamics, and developmental stages and how to work with a group during each stage.
5. Describe the typology of groups and skills needed for each type.
6. Examine family risk and resilience factors and how to apply them when intervening with families.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of systems theory in the conceptualization of problems and approaches to intervention with diverse families and groups.