Functionality in group guidance (5cr)

Evaluation methods and criteria

You are able to describe the key principles and practices of putting goal-oriented groups together, planning, implementation and evaluation as well as the group process. You know how you can support a group’s interaction and learning as the leader. You are able to give examples and describe your personal experiences of using creative activities. You are able to justify the significance of occupational and creative methods in supporting the client’s resources and rehabilitation.

Evaluation scale

Pass/Fail

Objective

The aim of the course is learning the basics of planning and completing a goal-oriented group process that supports the client’s participation and resources with client groups of health care and social services.

Course competences:

Learning to learn
Rehabilitation counselling and guidance (rehabilitation counsellors)
Client work competence (social services)
Therapeutic relationship and interprofessionality (occupational therapists)
Clinical reasoning and occupational therapy process enabling participation (occupational therapists)

Intended learning outcome:

Learning to learn: You are able to evaluate and develop ways of learning in different operating environments. You are able to take responsibility for the group's learning and for sharing what has been learned. You know how to reflect on your personal competence related to guiding a group.

Rehabilitation counselling and guidance: You know some key starting points and principles of guiding and putting together a group, implementation and evaluation as well as the group’s developmental stages in the rehabilitation sector and social services. You are able to use occupational and creative methods in goal-oriented group activities and justify their significance.

Interaction, participation and agency: You master the basics of a group-based and goal-oriented interactive and cooperative relationship that supports the client’s participation and resources. You know how to work in dialogical interaction as a group leader and partner.

Content

The core content of the course comprises the key principles and practices of putting groups together, planning, implementation and evaluation as well as the group process. Interaction and learning in a group. Students try out in practice group exercises relying on occupational and creative methods and learn about their significance in strengthening clients’ participation and agency.

Location and time

Spring 2026

Materials

Cole, Mary. 2012 nide tai 2018 e-kirja. Group dynamics in occupational therapy: The theorethical bacis and practice application of group intervention.

Huhtinen-Hilden, Laura & Lamppu, Minna (toim.). 2018. Odottamattomia aarteita. Ilmaisua, leikillisyyttä ja luovaa toimintaa ryhmässä. Metropolia Ammattikorkeakoulu. SOSKU-esite_DIGI_2ndd.indd (theseus.fi)

Hämäläinen, T. & Savolainen, K. 2016. Toiminta kuntoutumisessa -päämäärä ja väline. Teoksessa Autti-Rämö, I., Salminen, A-L., Rajavaara, M., Ylinen, A. Kuntoutuminen. Duodecim. 2016.

Stålberg, Leena. 2019. Pienryhmäohjaajan opas. PS-kustannus

Teaching methods

The course can be accredited based on previously acquired competencies either at the beginning of the commissioned degree programme or alternatively by completing a study assignment. The method of completion depends on the student's prior work experience and will be agreed upon during early 2026 with their tutor teacher (Anniina Berg or Pipsa Murto).

Completion alternatives

The course can be accredited based on previously acquired competencies either at the beginning of the commissioned degree programme or alternatively by completing a study assignment. The method of completion depends on the student's prior work experience and will be agreed upon during early 2026 with their tutor teacher (Anniina Berg or Pipsa Murto).

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

You are able to describe the key principles and practices of putting goal-oriented groups together, planning, implementation and evaluation as well as the group process. You know how you can support a group’s interaction and learning as the leader. You are able to give examples and describe your personal experiences of using creative activities. You are able to justify the significance of occupational and creative methods in supporting the client’s resources and rehabilitation.

Qualifications

You know how to act professionally, comprehensibly and dialogically in interactive situations with clients, their networks of family and friends, and other professionals in different operating environments. You are able to justify the significance of person-centered and client-centric work in guidance work.

Further information

This course is open only to LAB- students in group HLTISOS26KM