Group Process in counseling (Chapter 1 - 3)

Who should lead groups?

Those in helping, teaching or supervisory roles.

What are TWO valid reasons for leading groups?

Groups are more efficient.

Groups offer various viewpoints and resources.

What are the 9 benefits of conducting a group?

Efficiency

Commonality

Resources and viewpoints

Belonging

Skill Practice

Feedback

Vicarious Learning

Approximate Real Life

Commitment

How are groups more efficient?

They save time, effort, and meet multiple needs.

How do groups foster feelings of commonality?

Members discover that others share similar thoughts and feelings.

Groups offer members a greater variety of ______ and ______

Viewpoints; Resources

Makes experience more valuable.

Groups can satisfy individuals need to ______

Belong and feel part of the whole.

Beneficial for vulnerable groups.

Groups allow members to practice _______

New skills in a supportive environment.

Why is group feedback valuable?

Group feedback is more powerful than individual feedback since it is more difficult to deny several people than one person.

How do groups foster vicarious learning?

They allow members to hear similar concerns and see how others resolve them.

Groups approximate real life scenarios by...

Replicating real life situations and allowing members to work on manipulative behaviors.

Commitments made in groups are likely to be ______

stronger than if they had been made in a regular setting.

Combo of support, expectations, and a desire not to let the group down.

What are the main seven groups?

Education

Task

Discussion

Growth and Experiential

Counseling and Therapy

Support

Self-help

What is the general purpose of an Education group?

To provide the members with information on various topics.

Leader is a educator and facilitator of discussion.

What is the general purpose of an Discussion group?

Members come together to discuss topics or issues. (Current event groups)

Allows members to share ideas and information.

What is the general purpose of an Task group?

Members come together to accomplish a specific task or goal.

Leaders role is to keep members on task and facilitate discussion.

What is the general purpose of an Growth and Experiential group?

Purpose of a growth group is to allow members to learn something new about themselves and explore personal goals.

In a experiential group leader designs exploratory activities (challenges and risk taking).

What is the general purpose of an Counseling and Therapy group?

Purpose is for members to discuss certain problems or areas of concern.

Members + leader provide guidance.

Therapy groups for more severe problems.

Leader ensures that members get the best help possible.

What is the general purpose of a Support group?

Consists of members who share something in common.

Share thoughts, feelings, and help each other.

Leader encourages interpersonal sharing.

What is the general purpose of a Self-help group?

Lay-people with similar concerns.

No professional leadership.

What theories exist for group counseling?

There are no specific group counseling theories.

Individual counseling theories are used (CBT, Adlerian)

Leaders should know at least one theoretical perspective.

What is Impact Theory?

A multisensory approach that recognizes that change comes from visual and kinesthetic exchanges

What are the Four core beliefs of Impact Therapy?

People don't mind being led if they are led well.

Group counseling should not be boring.

Group counseling should be clear and concrete.

Leader is responsible for the group but not always the outcome

Being _____ is essential for working with diverse groups

Multicultural (always consider cultural background)

The style and role of the leader is determined by the...

specific kind of group and the purpose of the group.

Active leadership works best for groups.

A leader-directed style of leadership means that....

Leader understands the members needs and structures the group to MEET those needs.

A group-directed style of leadership means that

The members determine the content and direction of the group.

Members often don't know what they need.

Interpersonal leadership style is focused on _______

the interactions between members and the group as a whole.

Addresses issues when the emerge

Intrapersonal leadership style is focused on _______

members individual needs and concerns.

Addresses issues directly

What is group content?

The task or purpose of the group

What is group process?

the way the group interacts with each other and the leader, such as being supportive.

What makes an effective leader?

Experience with individuals

Experience with groups

Knowledge of the topic

Planning and organizational skills

Understands human issues and conflicts (must be prepared to handle these)

Understanding of counseling theory (help to understand why people behave the way they do)

Leaders must be familiar with the _______ of all the organizations they work with

ethical code/standards

Ethical group leaders always practice _____

within their competency and with proper preparations.

Ethical leaders have a good knowledge on ______

the material being discussed.

Ethical leaders do not use the group for _____

personal growth or gain.

Ethical leaders ensure that ______ relationships ________

dual; do not detract from the therapeutic relationship.

Dual relationships are _____

any relationship in addition to the therapeutic one

What are the two issues regarding confidentiality in groups?

Leaders ethical responsibility to keep material confidential.

And the understanding that the leader cannot fully control members confidentiality.

Members have a right to know _____

how the group will be conducted, the purpose of the group and any risks that may be involved.

Most ethical problems result from _____

a lack of expertise or sensitivity.

Regarding legal issues leaders should be aware of the _____

laws in their state in regard to counseling and client rights.

What are therapeutic forces?

Any factors that may influence the group dynamics (how members interact)

The beginning stage refers to the ______

period of the group used for introductions and covering topics such as group content, rules, and expectations.

The working stage refers to the _____

the period of the group when members focus on the groups purpose such as learning new material.

The closing stage refers to the _____

period where the group ends.

Members share what they have learned.

For some groups this will be emotional.

What are the six- group stages in Corey's model?

Formation (prescreening)

Orientation

Transition

Working

Consolidation

Follow-up (evaluations)

What is the transition stage?

The stage where members have finished introductions but still aren't ready for deep personal sharing.

What are Tuckman's stages of group development?

Forming

Storming

Norming

Performing

Adjourning

The storming stage occurs when ______

there is tension due to the composition of the group, its purpose, or the leader's approach.

Typically occurs in groups with little structure or non-voluntary members.

Group process refers to ______

the interaction and energy exchange between members and leaders.

Two of the most important group dynamics to observe is ______

whom is talking to whom and how often members speak.

Is it member to member or are certain members dominating?

Another pattern to avoid refers to ______

the leader responding after each member speaks.

Group dynamics are affected by ______

the leaders style and the kind of group they're running.

What are the dynamics and stages of an Education group?

Members may be at differing levels of understanding material.

Members some members may be more comfortable with the material.

Beginning stage and closing stage are short.

Working stage covers materials.

What are the dynamics and stages of a Discussion group?

Leaders should be aware of dominating members and ensure they are comfortable sharing.

Beginning stage is crucial so the leader should set a positive tone.

Closing consists of a summary of discussion.

What are the dynamics and stages of a Task group?

Monitor how members interact, power plays, and conflict resolution.

Beginning stage clarifies task then moves to working stage with a brief closing stage.

What are the dynamics and stages of a Growth and Experiential group?

Monitor how members feel about each other since personal sharing will take place.

Wide variety of needs leader should focus on the concerns of the majority.

Beginning stage lasts one or two sessions.

Working stage is quickly reached.

Closing stage lasts one session and consists of personal sharing.

What are the dynamics and stages of a Support group?

Member trust, commitment, and caring are essential.

Watch for lack of commonality.

Beginning lasts one to three sessions.

Working has more intimate sharing.

Closing can be emotional.

What are the dynamics and stages of a Counseling and Therapy group?

Varying degrees of mental health and personal needs.

Leader must be aware of how members feel about each other.

Beginning lasts one to three sessions.

Working members may be uncomfortable watching others work on issues.

Closing lasts on session leader should monitor feelings.

What are the dynamics and stages of a Self-help group?

Members may attack each other.

Cliques may form.

Some may need individual therapy.

No trained leader.

Ohlsen, Horne, and Lawe (1988) describe a number of the forces present in almost any group situation.

State that members want to feel accepted, know what is expected, like they belong, and feel safe.

Without this members may be negative.

What are Yalom's curative factors of effective groups?

Instillation of hope (feeling hopeful about life)

Universality (Others have similar concerns)

Imparting of information (gain valuable info)

Altruism

Corrective recapitulation of the primary family group (opportunity to experience dynamics similar to early childhood experiences)

Development of socialization techniques

Imitative behavior (modeling positives)

Interpersonal learning

Group cohesiveness

Catharsis (expressing feelings never expressed)

Existential factors (accepting responsibility for one's life)

Clarity of purpose refers to ______

understanding the purpose of the group.

(is the purpose educational or therapy?)

Relevance of purpose refers to ______

whether the purpose is relevant to all members.

(5 year inmates discussing jobs)

Group size refers to ______

the overall size and composition of the group.

5 - 8 usually is best.

Size dependent on the kind of group.

Length of each session refers to ______

how long each session lasts.

Dependent on the kind of group and its composition (adults or children).

School 20 - 40.

Education/task 1 - 2 hrs

Counseling 5 - 6

Frequency of meetings refers to ______

how long the group meets for each session.

Depends on purpose and composition of group.

Residential = daily

Outpatient = weekly

Support = monthly

Adequacy of the Setting refers to ______

whether the location of the meetings is appropriate.

Determined by convenience (accessibility), privacy, and room arrangement.

Time of day refers to ______

the time when the meeting is held.

Must be convenient for leader and members.

Meeting after lunch or late members may be tired.

Leaders attitude refers to ______

the leaders overall feelings about leading the group.

members pick up on this.

Must monitor negative members or leader will end up with a negative attitude.

Closed or open groups refer to ______

groups where membership is fixed and groups where members move freely in and out.

Closed = time limited + goal oriented

Open = new views + low cohesion

Voluntary or Nonvoluntary Membership refers to ______

members who willingly or unwillingly are part of a group.

Nonvoluntary members may change their attitude or remain negative.

Members' Level of Commitment refers to ______

members desire to be cooperative.

committed members much easier to lead.

Level of trust refers to ______

members overall faith in the group.

Issues occur when members have differing views.

Leader must address critical comments in way that is supportive and not alienating.

Members' Attitude Toward the Leader refers to ______

how members feel about the leader.

if all members have negative feelings the leader should examine their leadership style or ability.

Coleadership harmony refers to ______

the agreement between leaders.

When in sync coleading is a positive force.

Purpose refers to _____

why the group is meeting and what the goals are.

(learning study skills)

Clarity of the purpose helps the leader ______

keep members focused by suggesting relevant activities and cutting off discussions.

What happens when the leader is unclear about the groups purpose?

Sessions become confusing, boring, and unproductive.

Objectives should be well defined and leaders should follow groups purpose.

When deciding on purpose of the group a leader should consider...

Potential members needs.

Which kind of group will be most useful.

During the first session the leader must ensure that ______

members understand the purpose of the group, are comfortable in the group, and the content is introduced.

Can the group have more than ONE purpose?

Yes, groups may provide support or information.

Much each session have a purpose?

Yes.

Can the purpose change?

Yes, so long as the purpose remains clear.

Can there be no purpose?

No, without purpose the session is unstructured.

If the leader is clear will members be?

Not always.

When leading a single session group, clarity of purpose _____

is even more essential.

Leader needs to be clear and ensure that the objective is completed in the time allotted.

To determine if the purpose has been achieved leaders may ______

use evaluations.

Allows leader to adjust both content and process to better meet groups intent.

What are the three kinds of evaluations leaders use?

Evaluation of the groups impact on members behavior. (better grades/emotion management)

Self-evaluation by the leader. (recall important dynamics)

Evaluation by members. (members report opinion on group)

Evidence-based evaluation

provides data on the efficacy of groups on behavior.

Member-self reports

Asks members to comment on the changes they are making.

Objective-evaluation

Asks significant others to comment on members behavior.

Group evaluations may benefit from ______

Empirical research.

Why is there a lack of experimental research on group effectiveness?

It is difficult to design.

Accurate assessment is difficult