group dynamics chapter seven + eight

focus

• at any given time focus is on

  • a person

  • a topic

  • an exercise

• akways try to deepen the focus

establish focus

• use comments

  • ex: Lets focus on anxiety as it relates to the unknown

  • ex: Lets look at ways you are successfully coping w/ your anxiety

• use exercises

  • be sure to process the exercise ~ what was the purpose of the exercise?

• use rounds, dyads, triads

  • this focuses members to think about what they will say

  • ex: think of a time you were overwhelmed

hold focus

• on topic

• on person

examples: Lets stay on this topic…, I want to go back to what James said…, can we wait on that until James is done?

shift focus

• topic »» person

• topic »» topic

• topic »» exercise

• person »» person

• person »» topic

• person »» exercise

*best practice is not to fo exercise »» exercise

deepen the focus

take a deeper dive; ask thought-provoking questions; ask member to share more personally; ask member to work more intensely; conduct intense exercise

*DONT GO BEYOND YOUR EXPERIENCE

cutting off

stopping a member from over-talking or inappropriate talking is essential

ex: when a member is storytelling, rambling, or avoiding going deeper; when a member’s words are disrespectful or inappropriate, hurtful, or inaccurate

keys to cutting off

• tell members you will be doing this

• timing is critical — do it early

• tone of voice — don’t be gruff, critical, angry

• use hand signal or avoid eye contact

options for cutting off

• cut-off and stay w/ the person

• cut-off and stay w/ the topic

• cut-off and leave the person + topic

drawing out

gets members involved, helps shy members, gets members to take a deeper dive

options for drawing out

• use dyads/triads

• use rounds

• use written exercises

• use movement exercise

methods for drawing out

• directly

  • ask a member a question

  • ask the member to share

• delicately

  • never let your voice be condescending

  • never embarass a group member