NCMHCE Exam Review Group and Career Counseling Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes PhD, LPC-MHSP, LMHC Executive Director, AllCEUs.com Podcast Host: Counselor Toolbox and NCMHCE Exam Review Objectives - Review - the indications and contraindications for group therapy - types of groups - stages of group formation - Group curative factors - Therapist’s role in group

Indicators for Group - Indicators for Group - The primary problem involves affective, behavioral, cognitive or social issues - The client is verbally, cognitively and physically able to participate - The client is motivated to change - The client finds peer support and feedback beneficial - The client has a positive view of group therapy

Contraindications for Group Therapy - People who refuse to participate - People who can’t honor group agreements including behavioral (impulsivity) and attendance - People who are unsuitable for group therapy - People in crisis, or who have a low tolerance for anxiety and frustration, or are markedly depressed - People whose defenses would clash with the dynamics of a group. - People who can’t tolerate strong emotions - People who experience severe internal discomfort in groups. Types of Groups - Gender based - Topic based (depression, PTSD, Addiction) - Skill Based (coping, problem solving, interpersonal)

  • Support
  • Psychoeducational
  • Therapy

  • Open

  • Closed: Short-term, task oriented Forming a Group
  • Stages
  • Forming
  • Storming
  • Norming
  • Performing
  • Adjourning Group Curative Factors
  • Social microcosm that allows for multiple transferences
  • Hope
  • Universality
  • Altruism
  • Self-understanding and insight Therapist’s Role
  • Explain the phases in the group process
  • Creating and maintaining cohesion and participation
  • Culture building
  • Focus on the here and now, illuminating the processes at work.
  • Use appropriate self-disclosure
  • Facilitate resolution of interpersonal conflict
  • Use linking and blocking
  • Model giving and receiving of feedback
  • Use structured activities
  • Identify and discuss group themes and patterns
  • Create interventions based on the stage of group development
  • Challenge harmful behaviors
  • Address interaction of group members outside of group

Career Counseling– Models - Trait and factor model focuses on individual abilities, interests and personalities and work adjustment varies directly with the congruence between characteristics and demands - Client centered model emphasizes self-concept and the existence of choices based on what the client perceives is best in his/her life - Psychodynamic model stresses internal motivations and coping mechanisms and person's belief or knowledge about what he or she is able to do (Efficacy) - Developmental model focuses on career as a developmental, maturational process (Career Maturity Index) Career Counseling– Models - Behavioral career counseling focuses on making realistic career choices (behavior) and eliminating anxiety about making such choices - Values model helps clients choose careers in line with their values - Time: Future, Past, Present, Unconcerned with schedules - Social: Individual, collateral, hierarchical - Activity Value: Active vs. Passive responses - Life Values (Life Values Inventory) Career Choice – Holland/Trait-Factor - Personalities (RIASEC) - Realistic (hands on) - Investigative (problem solving) - Artistic - Social (Helping others) - Enterprising (Leading) - Conventional (Routine/systematic) Career Choice - Holland - Tests - Vocational Preference Inventory (General Holland’s 6-Types by rating 160 jobs) - Self-Directed Search (Identifies competencies, attitudes and self efficacy toward occupations. Hollands 6 types) - Vocational Exploration and Insight (increase occupations for consideration and understand what they want out of careers) - My Vocational Situation (identity and barriers) Other Career Tests - Ashland Interest Assessment for people who have barriers to employment due to disabilities - Career Assessment Inventory focuses on careers that require 0-2 years of post-secondary training - Career Attitudes and Strategies Inventory assesses Job satisfaction, work involvement, career worries, family commitment etc. - Career Beliefs identifies cognitive distortions about themselves and their career. My current career situation, What Seems Necessary for Happiness, Factors that Influence my Decisions, Changes I am willing to make - Career Interest Inventory helps students decide what courses to take and how to prepare for their preferred career Other Career Tests - Career Orientation Inventory assesses biology based careers - Guide for Occupational Exploration explores interest in 12 areas and correlates with the DOT - Vocational Interest Inventory and Strong Interest Inventory help people identify careers based on interests - Differential Aptitude Test identifies job related abilities - DISCOVER Career Planning Program from ACT, inc., is a comprehensive computer-based career guidance system offered on the Internet for Grade 5 through adult. it includes inventories of interest, abilities, and values plus detailed information about occupations - System of Interactive Guidance Information (SIGI) is designed to help university students and adults make informed career decisions via self-assessments and in-depth, current educational and job information - More tests to review Summary - It is important to be aware of the selection criteria for group counseling - In preparing for the exam, review your theories of career counseling and know the most common tests to use Scenario 1 - Tom is a 34-year-old white male who completed 2 years of community college and is married with 3 children. He was referred by his employer due to anger management issues at work. During the assessment you note that Tom is well oriented, verbal but appears to have a lot of anxiety related to finances. - Is group therapy appropriate for him- - What other resources might be helpful- - More study resources Scenario 2 - Julie is a 20 year old student getting her Bachelor’s in liberal arts. She does not yet know what she wants to do for a career. Which of the following assessments would be appropriate- - Ashland Interest Assessment - For people who have barriers to employment due to disabilities - Career Assessment Inventory - For people who want a career that requires 0-2 years of college - Career Attitudes and Strategies Inventory - Assesses Job satisfaction, work involvement, career worries, family commitment etc. - Career Beliefs - Identifies cognitive distortions about themselves and their career. - Career Interest Inventory - Explores interests to narrow career choices - Guide for Occupational Exploration - Explores interest in 12 areas and correlates with the DOT - Vocational Interest Inventory and Strong Interest Inventory - Helps people identify careers based on interests - Differential Aptitude Test - Identifies job related abilities