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 intended for professionals seeking to develop or strengthen foundational skills in group work and leadership, with a focus on psychoeducational and task-oriented group facilitation. It is particularly relevant for those specializing in counseling, clinical psychology, behavioral health, education, and related fields, as well as those who lead or facilitate groups as part of their professional responsibilities.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Mental Health Professionals
    • 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

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of experience with group work.

    • Beginner: Participants new to group work or group leadership who are seeking foundational knowledge of group types, development stages, and basic group counseling skills.

    • Intermediate: Participants with some experience facilitating or co-facilitating groups who wish to deepen their understanding of group dynamics, leadership interventions, and culturally competent practices in both in-person and telehealth settings.

    • Advanced: Participants with extensive group work experience who are looking to refine advanced leadership skills, integrate complex case studies, and enhance their application of group counseling skills with diverse populations.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals apply these skills in structured, goal-focused group environments across clinical, educational, and community-based systems, delivered both in person and via telehealth. They work within organizations that emphasize culturally responsive care, ethical practice, and evidence-informed group leadership.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Outpatient mental health/behavioral health clinics
    • Hospital behavioral health units and integrated care
    • Residential, PHP, and IOP programs
    • Community health centers and nonprofit agencies
    • School-based counseling programs
    • University and college counseling centers
    • Substance use treatment programs
    • Employee assistance programs and workplace wellness
    • Telehealth-based group services and private practice groups
Presented By

Cristen Wathen, PhD

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.

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).


Sponsorship Approval Statements

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), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #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. Palo Alto University 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. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), 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. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by 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.