TASKThe work the group is

Trying to get done

PROCESSActions and tools that

help a group get its work done

SELFUsing yourself as

an instrument

GROUPUnderstanding

group dynamics

GROUP – “an assemblage of individuals or objects located or gathered together”

Webster’s Dictionary (7 definitions)

FACITITATE – “to make easier”: facilitation (noun) Webster’s

“a process in which a person helps others complete their work and improve the way they work together” Practical Guide to Facilitation

Reasons Why It’s Hard to Work in Groups

US culture places GREAT emphasis on the individual.

We bring our unconscious material into the group. This can be acted out as blaming and criticizing, withdrawal, resentful participation, confusion, controlling, denial, and trying to please others at the expense of self.

Unclear intention

How can we facilitate in such a way as to nurture interdependence?

Conditions That Maximize Learning

Agreements – Form container for group

Comfort – Manage Risk

PANIC

RISK

COMFORT

Growing Edge(Expandable)

Comfort – easy & familiar, not particularly challenging

Risk – where most learning happens

Panic – “Freeze Zone” from fear & overwhelm. Not very conducive for learning

& growth IMPORTANT TO KNOW BOUNDARIES & LIMITS OF GROUP

THERAPEUTIC

“Therapeutic does not refer to the treatment of emotional and behavior disorders. Rather, the broad purpose of a therapeutic group is to increase people’s knowledge of themselves and others, help them clarify the changes they most want to make in their lives, and give them some of the tools necessary to make these changes.”

THREE GOALS OF ALL COUNSELING GROUPS

To change behavior in a positive way.

To utilize the group process to achieve

behavior change.

To carry the achieved behavior change from

the group into everyday life…

GROUP THERAPYvs.

GROUP COUNSELING

GROUP THERAPY: Focuses on unconscious issues in order to change behavior.

GROUP COUNSELING: Focuses on conscious issues and present behavior. Usually short-term and often focuses on specific issues, such as substance abuse, career, educational.

A Few Misconceptions About Groups

Groups are suited for everyone The main goal of a group is for everyone to

achieve closeness Groups tell people how they should be Group pressure forces members to lose their

sense of identity Groups are artificial and unreal

Some Advantages of a Group

Group setting offers support for new behavior and encourages experimentation

The group is a microcosm of the real world – allows us to see how we relate to others

Group setting provides an optimal arena for members to discover how they are perceived and experienced by others

Groups help members see that they are not alone in their concerns

Psychological Risks of Group Participation

Although there are benefits to participating in a group, there are also potential risks that group leaders need to monitor –

– Members may be pressured to disclose and violate privacy

– Confidentiality may be broken

– Scapegoating may occur

– Confrontation may be done in an uncaring manner

– Group leaders may not have the competencies to deal with

some difficulties that arise in a group

Member Guidelines to Benefit from a Group

Express persistent reactions Come prepared to group sessions Decide for yourself what and how much to

disclose Be an active participant Be open to feedback and consider what you

hear Experiment with new behavior in group

Various Types of Groups

Task facilitation groups – aims to foster accomplishing identified work goals

Psychoeducational group – aims to educate well-functioning group members who want to acquire information and skills in an area of living

Group counseling – aims at preventive and educational purposes – utilizes methods of interactive feedback within a here-and-now time framework

Group psychotherapy – aims at remediation of in-depth psychological problems – often focuses on past influences of present difficulties

UNSTRUCTURED GROUPS

On-going, open-ended. Membership changes frequently

– Hospitals– Jails– Detox– Residential

STRUCTURED GROUPS

Time limited– 2 hours per week– 4 – 15 weeks

Usually topical– Coping skills– Stress management– Eating disorders