3 Hours / 3 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Group Work Basics in Changing Times: An Application of Skills and Cultural Competency Amidst COVID-19 & Across Telehealth Platforms is presented by Cristen Wathen, PhD.

In the midst of changing times, group work has consistently remained an important and research-backed model for communication, support, task management, education, and inter and intrapersonal learning.  

This program reviews and applies the basic foundations of group work and group leadership skills. This program covers relevant and culturally competent group models for working both in person and via Telehealth. The program provides concrete examples, case studies, and focused discussion.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe the four types of group work: Psychotherapeutic, Counseling, Psychoeducational, and Task groups
  • 2 Describe the stages of group development and identify the basic group work skills utilized in each stage and throughout group work
  • 3 Describe four levels of group leadership intervention: Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, Whole group and Supra-group
  • 4 Demonstrate 10 basic group counseling skills with diverse groups, including those delivered online across telehealth platforms
  • 5 Describe the strengths and challenges of each of the 10 basic group counseling skills (e.g., drawing out, blocking, support, modeling, linking, feedback, reframing, self-disclosure, processing, and resource distribution)

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for professionals seeking to build or strengthen foundational skills in group work and leadership, with a focus on psychoeducational and task-oriented group facilitation. It is ideal for those working in counseling, clinical psychology, behavioral health, education, and related fields. The training is suitable for individuals at any stage of their career, from beginners to experienced practitioners, who wish to integrate effective group work strategies into their professional practice. Participants commonly work in settings such as mental health clinics, schools, hospitals, community organizations, and private practice.

  • Experience Level

    This training is applicable for all career stages: entry-level, mid-career, and experienced professionals.

  • Practice Setting

    • Professional counselors

    • Psychologists

    • Social workers

    • Marriage and family therapists

    • Addiction counselors

    • Behavioral health workers

    • Case managers

    • Teachers

    • Professionals leading psychoeducational or task groups

    • Anyone integrating group work into their professional practice

Presented By

Cristen Wathen, PhD, Assistant Professor at Palo Alto University

Dr. Cristen Wathen is an Assistant Professor at Palo Alto University. She has a background in working with survivors of trauma and child sexual abuse. She also has experience counseling and advising college students and working with underserved populations in educational settings. Currently, her research interests center around mental wellness needs for those with chronic illnesses, organ transplantation, and genetic disease in family systems. Cristen earned her master's degree from Baylor University and her doctoral degree from Idaho State University. Before joining PAU, she was an Assistant Professor at Montana State University for four years. She has served as the RMACES president and as ACES secretary in her professional service. She is a licensed counselor in Montana and in Idaho and will soon be transferring her license to California.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Cristen Wathen, PhD

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Overview of Group Work: Purpose and research supporting group work; Four Types of Group Work; Group Counseling Ethics; Stages of Group Development

  • Overview of Group Systems Theory & four levels of group intervention: 10 Basic Group Counseling Skills- Introduction and Demonstration

  • Cultural Competency and working with Diverse Groups- Overview and Demonstratio

  • Telehealth and Group Work- Overview and Demonstration: Ethics; Case study

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).



Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356 and the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CONCEPT Professional Training maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits.