MSW652 Clinical Methods II with Groups (3 cr.)

Prerequisite(s): MSW650  
Clinical Methods II equips social work clinicians to execute the essential clinical tasks of engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation competently and effectively in practice with client groups. Clinical methods from psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and postmodern approaches are examined through a multicultural lens to identify implicit biases or inherent theoretical assumptions that might impact their responsiveness and effectiveness across a broad cultural spectrum. Through the use of self-reflection, a strengths-based perspective, and social work professional values, clinicians learn to select and apply clinical approaches that best match the client populations’ needs and context.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of a range of theories and group practice models.
2. Apply ethical judgment in addressing dilemmas unique to group work in community-based clinical practice.
3. Facilitate a group using social work evidence-based assessment and intervention skills.
4. Analyze the impact of diversity i.e. ethnicity, race, religion/spirituality, gender, age, sexual orientation on group planning, assessment and intervention.
5. Describe and analyze the use of group processes across the phases of the group’s development with an awareness of the person-in-environment and strengths perspectives. 
6. Design and implement procedures for the systematic monitoring and evaluation of group work effectiveness.