Student Goal Statements for the Experiential Learning Group

Abstract

This study delineates teaching strategies for helping counseling students to develop appropriate goal statements designed to facilitate participation in the group work experiential group process. Students reviewed literature on professional counselor development, emotional and social intelligence, and group leader characteristics. This literature delineated personal and professional attributes conducive to effective group leadership and was utilized to stimulate reflection on personal group goals. 21 students in a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited Community Counseling program completed the 10week group experience. At the end of group, students reflected, revaluated and reformulated their original group goals. A qualitative analysis yielded 14 student-constructed goal statements. These post-group goal student goal statements may prove helpful to future group facilitators of the group work learning experience.