Master of Philosophy in Group Therapy

The qualification inteds to contribute, through independent research, advanced problem-solving skills and critical, reflective thinking in a chosen profession-specific area within group therapy, that will contribute to the knowledge and practice in the field of group therapy. The learner will present the findings in a report that meets the accepted criteria and ethical principles of the University.

This qualification will enable the learner to

• Direct expert group leaders in the use of therapeutic group work within an African context and provide leadership in group work development, thus effectively acting as agents for change.
• Provide practitioners with further knowledge, skills and expertise in therapeutic group work including psychodrama, through experiential learning, education, management, research and service provision to appropriate consumer groups.
• Provide South Africa, with a cadre of mental health care practitioners skilled in the application of therapeutic group work through a variety of techniques, including psychodrama techniques, thereby facilitating effective, efficient and accessible service delivery in both the public and private sectors to individuals, caregivers and communities in need of such services.
• Supplement a growing need for practitioners specialised in dealing with individuals and groups with a variety of mental health or psychiatric problems, with particular emphasis on trauma management, post-traumatic stress and related disorders.

Learners will be encouraged to interact with people with mental illness, trauma survivors, people with physical disorders/disabilities, of different age groups and in different health care settings, both public and private, such as primary health care units, mental health care facilities, hospitals, private clinical practices, not-for-profit organisations, all within a primary health care approach.

The programme does not include psychoanalytical/ interpretive psychotherapeutic techniques or focus on Arts therapies such as Art, Drama, Movement and Music Therapy.

Rationale

This qualification addresses an identified need within society. HIV-related illness, violence, trauma, child abuse, substance abuse, mental illness and poverty are major causes of impairment and disability for adults, adolescents and children in South Africa. Risky behaviour in the youth, compassion fatigue (in professionals and caregivers), addictions and everyday stressors of life also contribute to impairment and disability. International development in advanced group work has led to the emergence of a body of knowledge and specialised techniques to address these debilitating severe issues. The caseload base in South Africa is extensive and group work adequately enables the practitioner to deal with more significant numbers of clients in a relatively shorter space of time.

At present, only one tertiary education institution in South Africa offers a post-graduate qualification in the field of mental health and psychiatry for health professionals other than medical practitioners. Minimal therapeutic group work training is available in South Africa, despite numerous practitioners from different disciplines and contexts using group therapy as part of professional practice. The need is thus very significant for the offering of theoretical frameworks for therapeutic group work. This qualification will address this imperative need in the country.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Admission to this qualification could be granted to learners not in possession of the specified degree that meets the admission requirements at the discretion of the Institution and in agreement with the relevant Education and Training Quality Assurance body policy.

The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy Honours, NQF Level 8.

In addition to course work, a research dissertation, comprising at least 30% of the total number of credits, viz. 64 credits, is to be produced at the appropriate level for a Master's Qualification.

1. Demonstrate advanced application of concepts, ethics, theories and analytical processes in relation to therapeutic group work within own profession-specific context.
2. Access, analyse, organise and critically evaluate existing knowledge pertaining to therapeutic group work.
3. Engage in independent research and produce findings in the form of a research report from a range of appropriate research designs, methods, techniques and technologies applicable to therapeutic group work within own specific profession.
4. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of own position about major debates within profession-specific therapeutic group work.
5. Demonstrate specialist forefront knowledge and expertise in therapeutic group and the competency to apply these creatively within its own profession.
6. Critically analyse and evaluate the outcomes of interventions, techniques, strategies or processes in therapeutic group work.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Discussions reflect a clear understanding of the major systemic factors that affect the cultural, socio-political, economic and health of the broader South African population and include in-depth interrogation of the various approaches required for the diversity encountered within the various South African populations.
• Range of Diversity includes, but is not limited to, aspects as gender, sexual orientation, social standing, socio-economic status, religious belief, political affiliation, physical disabilities or abnormalities.
• Presentations reflect the appropriate application of the relevant concepts, methods, ethics, theories and analytical processes in therapeutic group work.
• Written work on therapeutic group work displays critical analyses and a degree of intellectual independence, as well as insight into the context of trauma, theoretical constructs and methods of intervention.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Current literature and research are accessed, analysed, organised and evaluated systematically in the chosen focus area.
• Evaluations demonstrate clear evidence of effective application of the principles of research practice in the chosen focus area.
• Conclusions and recommendations are justified by the use of appropriate evidence and arguments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• The research inquiry is planned and conducted on the basis of a range of appropriate research designs, methods, techniques and technologies for the specific research problem.
• Research themes are appropriately identified and demarcated.
• Analyses of the research themes include a comprehensive and critical review of current literature and investigations.
• Selected research methods, techniques and technologies show evidence of a clear understanding of relevant research theory and practice.
• Research reports critically and coherently describe theoretical arguments, the research process, methodology, results, conclusions and recommendations.
• Research reports display skill in extrapolating key findings, justifiable conclusions and making feasible recommendations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Motivations of own position to specific debates are based on sound integration of relevant theory, practice, research and independent, creative thinking.
• Discussions demonstrate an understanding of one's position and its feasibility about major debates.
• Written and oral formats clearly and cogently communicate explanations of their own position.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Analyses of the problems and issues, including trauma management, post trauma stress and related disorders, reflect a purposeful and critical application of advanced theory, current knowledge and expertise in therapeutic group work.
• Interventions and recommendations reflect purposeful and creative plans to seek solutions based on theory and proven methods applied in therapeutic group work.
• Discussions and interventions reflect the advanced application of appropriate skills, strategies and techniques following corresponding theoretical assumptions in therapeutic group work.
• Research and interventions include the appropriate and creative use of various techniques, including psychodrama, and data relevant to therapeutic group work.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Evaluations comprehensively describe outcomes of interventions, techniques, strategies or processes about the stated goals and following corresponding theoretical assumptions.
• Evaluations critically analyse outcomes following the identified needs and issues within the chosen focus area.
• Evaluations are purposefully used as the basis for planning, implementing and making recommendations.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment criteria and methods are designed to capture student capability/applied competence. Multiple and continuous assessment methods will be used, enabling students to demonstrate the integration of practical, foundational and reflexive competencies. A holistic inference will thus be made by an assessor(s) based on a variety of performances including integrated tasks such as planning, implementing and evaluation of intervention and presenting and writing up of such intervention to peer group.

Assessment will be both formative and summative through the use of

i. Course assignments.

ii. Portfolio development and keeping of student logs.

iii. Seminar preparation and presentation.

iv. Demonstration of advanced group work skills.

v. Written and/or oral examinations or tests.

vi. A research proposal.

vii. Mini-dissertation.