Characteristics of Group Counseling Stages

Initial Stage - Characteristics

Low risk taking, hesitancy, uncertainty, lack of trust, hidden agendas, awkward silences, high fears (judgment, rejection, appearing stupid).

Initial Stage - Group Leader Interventions

Build trust using ORAL model, set norms, address early conflict, uncover hidden agendas, support cultural awareness, model vulnerability, focus on here and now.

Initial Stage - Norms

Confidentiality, Here-and-now focus, Empathy, Self-disclosure.

Initial Stage - Roles

Leader models trust; members begin testing vulnerability.

Transition Stage - Characteristics

High anxiety, resistance, defensiveness, ambivalence, control issues, intermember conflict, fear of vulnerability, low trust.

Transition stage - Group Leader Interventions

Explore defensiveness, go with resistance, reinforce healthy confrontation, challenge silence/dominating behaviors, block storytelling, stay here-and-now.

Transition Stage - Norms

Emerging self-disclosure, anxiety, resistance.

Transition Stage - Roles

Leader validates fears and mistrust; members push through fear and show up.

Working Stage - Characteristics

Deeper exploration, stronger cohesion, commitment to change, reduced dependence on leader, peer interactions increase, themes of trust may reappear.

Working Stage - Group Leader Interventions

Involve entire group in individual work, encourage experimentation, role play, address conflicts directly, contracts, behavior logs, affirmations.

Working Stage- Norms

Support/challenge, emotional safety, direct feedback, experimentation.

Working Stage - Roles

Leader facilitates; members give/receive feedback, take initiative, challenge, support.

Termination Stage - Characteristics

Sadness or anxiety about separation, reduced participation, reflection, fears of continued progress, unfinished business, group closure.

Termination Stage - Group Leader Interventions

Address unfinished business, reinforce change, plan generalization of learning, offer feedback, referrals, private consults, confidentiality.

Termination Stage - Norms

Prepare for ending, closure, reflection

Termination Stage - Roles

Leader helps consolidate learning; members deal with termination, reflect, plan future steps.

Therapeutic Factor: Learning through interpersonal action

Factor: Attempting to relate constructively and adaptively within the group, either through initiation or responding to other group members

Therapeutic Factor: Guidance

Factor: The leader/group member will give new info or directly give advice to another group member

Therapeutic Factor: Insight

Factor: Learning about yourself through feedback and personal reflection

Therapeutic Factor: Acceptance

Factor: Personal feeling of belonging, warmth, friendliness, comfort, and feeling valued by other members

Therapeutic Factor: Cohesion

Factor: Perception of togetherness

Therapeutic Factor: Self-Disclosure

The act of revealing personal info about yourself to the group and your reaction to others feedback of you

Therapeutic Factor: Catharsis

Emotionally releasing feelings that you are having as you experience them in the group