Week Three: Types of Groups

What are the two types of ways groups can come together

formed and natural

What is a Formed Group?

Typically created intentionally through outside influences for a specific purpose, task, or intervention

What certain criteria are formed groups formed on

skills, expertise, or project requirements

What are some examples of formed groups?

Therapy or counselling groups, social action groups, life skills groups

What is a natural group?

A group that comes togther spontaneously based on naturally occurring events, shared values, needs, or interpersonal relationships, interests, or common affiliations among members. They emerge organically

What kind of relationships are typically characteristic of natural groups?

Members have pre-existing social connections and may have intense relationships

What are some examples of natural groups?

Family, friendship circle, peer group

What are the two main groups in the SSW field?

Social Service Groups and work groups

What are the main characteristics of social service groups?

Members have personal needs, they group is based on common concerns or characteristics, success is based on members meeting treatment goals

Examples of Social Service Groups

groups for mental health concerns, groups for medical concerns, groups for addiction treatment, life skills groups

Work Groups characteristics

Members have tasks to completed, they are focused on the discussion of a particular task, low self-disclosure, success is based on if the task is accomplished

Examples of work groups

social action, lobby groups, councils, board of directors

Social Conversation Groups

An informal group with the purpose to develop friends, ease isolation and develop social skills. Group tends to have informal leadership and its focus is unstructured

Social Conversation Groups example

drop in centres, senior day programs

Recreational Activity/ Growth and Experiential Groups

A directed group with the purpose of involving oneself with others through recreational activity. Focus is on the activity and communication is typically as needed by activiy

Recreational Activity/ Growth and Experiential Groups example

Boys and girls club, after-school programs, YMCA, Colleges, community centers

Educational Life Skills Group

A formal group led by a leader for the purpose of learning and development in specific areas of need where the focus is on developing specific skills and members bond based on common interests

Educational Life Skills Group examples

Employment search, stress or anger management, Job Gym, YMCA or YWCA, addiction or mental health agencies

Counselling / Therapy / Helping Groups

A formed group that comes together to change behaviour, emotions, thinking, beliefs, expectations or perceptions. the focus is on addressing personal concerns through the group and requires high self-disclosure

Counselling / Therapy / Helping Groups example

Addiction and mental health programs, art therapy, behaviour, abuse recovery, family issues

Support Groups

A group that brings members together based on a common concern or issues, gives individuals the chance to share thoughts and feelings and help one another. Individuals bond over common feelings and shared experiences

Support Groups Examples

Pathstone's parenting groups, consumer survivor initiative, hospice

Task Groups

The purpose is to focus on a specific task, keeping group members focused and complete the task. Bond is based on the task itself, not personal connection. Communication is high but not always personally

Task Group examples

School IEP meetings, Community Clubs (Lion’s Club), Staff meetings, interdisciplinary meetings, homelessness coalition

Self-Help Group

A group that aims to help with coping and change in a self-directed, supportive, non-leader environment. Focus is on individual concerns shared by members and leadership is typically shared instead of having a professional leader. Common purpose and fellowship

Self-Help Group Examples

AA, NA, ALANON, Grief