66th Annual Conference

Friday, February 20

Early Morning Colloquies

Colloquy 6

Innovations in Applying Group-As-A-Whole work to the Treatment of Severely Mentally-Ill Clients:  Building Self-Efficacy and Cohesiveness and Using Creativity Effectively

Presented in cooperation with the New Beginnings Community Services/National Alliance on Mental Illness

Presenters:

Emma Church, M.A., Graduate Student in Clinical Psychology at Midwestern University, Downers Grove, Illinois

Clive Hazell, Ph.D., Senior Professor, Devry University, Chicago, Illinois

Diana Semmelhack, Psy.D., CGP, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, Illinois

A discussion and demonstration format will address the use of the “Group as a Whole” model in the treatment of severely mentally-ill populations residing in long-term care and group homes.  Additionally, a new component highlighting the use of the creative arts will be introduced. The theoretical underpinnings of the model will be discussed along with unique modifications necessary for the treatment of severely mentally-ill populations. Results from  several studies along with transcript excerpts and creative projects stressing positive changes in clients’ attitudes will be reviewed.   

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Explain the theoretical underpinnings of the Group-as-a-Whole model.

2. Explain specific modifications to the model necessary for treating severely mentally-ill populations living in long-term care facilities and group homes.

3. Describe the potential therapeutic value of the model for building self-efficacy and cohesiveness self-efficacy and for using creativity effectively.

4. Explain how a creative arts component can be used to help severely mentally-ill, institutionalized adults to regain (or to gain) access to their creative sense of self.

Course References:

1. Bion, W.R. (1954).  Group dynamics:  A review.  In M. Klein, P. Heimann & R.e. Money Kyrle (Eds.), New Directions in Psycho-analysis (pp. 440-477). New York:  Basic Books.

2. Hazell, C. (2005).  Imaginary Groups.  Bloomington, Indiana, Bloomington:  Authorhouse.

3. Hazell, C. & Semmelhack D. (2005). Group-as-a-whole in a county jail.  In C. Hazell’s, Imaginary groups (pp. 83-100).  Bloomington, IN:  Authorhouse.

4. Semmelhack, D., Hazell, C. & Hoffman, W. The Journal for Specialists in Group Work.  Volume 33, Issue 1, March 2008, pages 43-60.