This paper explores the work of group processes with selected groups. Students will be given the opportunity to develop group membership and leadership skills through observation, participation and evaluation during an on campus workshop. A narrative perspective features strongly in this paper.

Philosophy
The paper will be built upon social constructionist perspectives and will draw upon the narrative metaphor as it has been expounded in
the literature on narrative therapy and narrative group work (see for example: Monk, Winslade, Crocket & Epston (Eds.), 1997).

The following core concepts underpin the paper:
- Discourse operates to structure people’s experience, offering them positions from which to relate to each other.
- People differ not only in the material conditions and opportunities of their lives but in the stories they draw from to make sense of these
differences.
- It is within language, or more accurately discourse, that we make meaning of our experience through negotiation with others in our language community.
- Counselling and therapeutic groups often provide us with key opportunities to participate in the creation of new meanings, new identity possibilities, or new forms of relationship.

This 30point paper (300 hours of study) is an optional paper of the MCouns degree. This paper is open by application to other
graduates who demonstrate relevant background and experience. It is structured within B trimester, utilising online group discussions
and a one-week (five-day) block course on campus. Please note the first online discussion starts the first week of trimester (10 July
2023). The class meets in Te Kohinga Marama marae (inside Gate 4, Hillcrest Road) from 9.00 am to 5:00 pm each day.

The block course will seek to develop your ability to understand what happens in groups and your ability to offer leadership contributions
in groups. Some abilities can only be developed in a climate of experimentation and appropriate risk taking. Practising with a group of
strangers, risking vulnerability, creating safety, receiving genuine support, receiving feedback and feeling closeness to others are
important experiences for group leaders. To lead a group it is necessary to appreciate first-hand the challenges of exploring personal
content in group interactions. For these reasons, this form of group experience is significant for group leaders. It also needs to be
reflected upon, both for its significance for group process and for its implications for group leadership.

Expectations of participants:
In the course of the week together you may be invited to, and want to bring, personal content that relates to participation in groups and group leadership. We ask that self-disclosure be done with discretion and will discuss this further in class.

You are requested to:
- think about what you would like to gain from the experiential aspects of the group in addition to the academic learning.
- support the learning goals of others in the group.
- let others know about aspects of your life in order to reduce the extent to which you may be misunderstood.
- participate in ways that relate to what is going on in the group.
- think about the discursive influences on what members of the group experience together and on the particular story of events that will
emerge as we spend time together.

Content areas are identified in the book of readings.