66th Annual Conference

Friday, February 20

Early Morning Colloquies

Colloquy 5

The Functional Group Model: How, When, & Why?

Presenter:

Mary Alicia Barnes, B.S., OTR/L, Fieldwork Coordinator, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts

This session will explain the Functional Group Model and how it can enhance a leader’s capacity to adapt process to populations where traditional group psychotherapy techniques do not work. Major constructs of the model will be detailed and applied in demonstration through role play situations.

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Summarize key points of Functional Group Model.

2. Apply constructs to participant's group practice.

3. Integrate principles of Functional Group Model into therapist's technique and clinical reasoning.

Course References:

1. Gans, J. S., & Alonso, A.  (1998).  Difficult patients:  Their construction in group therapy.  International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 48(3), 311-326.

2. Mosey, A. C. (1970).  The concept and use of developmental groups.  American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 24(4), 272-275.

3. Schwartzberg, S. L., Howe, M. C., & Barnes, M. A. (2008). Groups: Applying the Functional Group Model. Philadelphia: FA Davis.