Group Counseling Pro

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GROUP GROUP COUNSELING COUNSELING

Transcript of Group Counseling Pro

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GROUP GROUP COUNSELINCOUNSELIN

GG

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Effective Group Effective Group CounselingCounseling

Practical Practical Considerations in Considerations in forming a Groupforming a Group

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What is group counseling?What is group counseling?

Group counseling involves a small Group counseling involves a small group of people (usually 6-10) who group of people (usually 6-10) who meet together weekly, along with meet together weekly, along with one or two trained members of the one or two trained members of the Counseling Center staff, to talk Counseling Center staff, to talk about their struggles and problems. about their struggles and problems. These groups can take a variety of These groups can take a variety of forms. Some focus on a specific forms. Some focus on a specific topic or problem, while others topic or problem, while others address a number of different address a number of different concerns. concerns.

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What makes group What makes group counseling work?counseling work?

When people come into a group and When people come into a group and interact freely with other group interact freely with other group members, they tend to recreate members, they tend to recreate those difficulties that brought them those difficulties that brought them to counseling in the first place. to counseling in the first place. Under the skilled direction of the Under the skilled direction of the group facilitators, the group is able group facilitators, the group is able to give support, offer alternatives, to give support, offer alternatives, or gently confront the an individual. or gently confront the an individual. In this way, the difficulty is resolved, In this way, the difficulty is resolved,

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BEGINNING COUNSELING GROUPSBEGINNING COUNSELING GROUPS

A crucial element in starting counseling A crucial element in starting counseling groups is making decisions beforehand.groups is making decisions beforehand.

Pregroup planning is the first step in Pregroup planning is the first step in the process.the process.

Leaders design groups so that they will Leaders design groups so that they will yield productive and pragmatic results yield productive and pragmatic results for participants. Among the most for participants. Among the most important considerations are those important considerations are those associated with objectives, membership, associated with objectives, membership, rules, time, place, and dynamics.rules, time, place, and dynamics.

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Stages in the Development of Stages in the Development of the group:the group:

1. Formation of the Group: 1. Formation of the Group:

It involves making students aware about It involves making students aware about the Group by making announcements, the Group by making announcements, putting posters etc. putting posters etc.

The second step involves screening and The second step involves screening and selection of group members. selection of group members.

The third step involves briefing the The third step involves briefing the members about the group, plan, its goals members about the group, plan, its goals and also the group ethics.and also the group ethics.

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2. Initial stage: Orientation and 2. Initial stage: Orientation and Exploration: This involves determining the Exploration: This involves determining the structure of the group, getting acquainted structure of the group, getting acquainted and exploring the member’s expectations. and exploring the member’s expectations. They also become aware of how the group They also become aware of how the group functions, define their own goals and functions, define their own goals and clarify their expectations.clarify their expectations.

3. Transition stage: Dealing with 3. Transition stage: Dealing with resistance: This is quite a difficult phase resistance: This is quite a difficult phase where the members deal with their where the members deal with their anxiety, resistance and conflict and the anxiety, resistance and conflict and the leader helps them deal and work with their leader helps them deal and work with their weaknesses.weaknesses.

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What are the benefits of group What are the benefits of group counseling?counseling?

In a group, you can:In a group, you can: Learn more about how you are perceived by Learn more about how you are perceived by

others. others. Experience a sense of acceptance and belonging. Experience a sense of acceptance and belonging. Discover that you are not alone in the difficulties Discover that you are not alone in the difficulties

you are experiencing. you are experiencing. Hear ideas from others which enhance your ability Hear ideas from others which enhance your ability

to make decisions and solve problems. to make decisions and solve problems. Benefit from the experience of being helpful to Benefit from the experience of being helpful to

others. others. Learn to constructively express your feelings and Learn to constructively express your feelings and

ideas to others. ideas to others. Gain encouragement by observing the successes Gain encouragement by observing the successes

of others. of others.

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OBJECTIVES OF GROUP OBJECTIVES OF GROUP COUNSELINGCOUNSELING

Group counseling involves individuals who are Group counseling involves individuals who are having difficulties they wish to resolve that are of having difficulties they wish to resolve that are of a personal, educational, social, or vocational a personal, educational, social, or vocational nature.nature.

These groups are primarily run in educational These groups are primarily run in educational institutions or agencies. institutions or agencies.

They deal with specific, nonpathological problems They deal with specific, nonpathological problems that members are aware of prior to joining and that members are aware of prior to joining and which do not involve major personality changes.which do not involve major personality changes.

For instance, group counseling may focus on For instance, group counseling may focus on how members achieve such goals as relating how members achieve such goals as relating better to their families, becoming organized, or better to their families, becoming organized, or relaxing in the presence of supervisors at work. relaxing in the presence of supervisors at work.

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Why would someone choose Why would someone choose Group Counseling instead of Group Counseling instead of

Individual?Individual?Some of the benefits of group are:Some of the benefits of group are: allows you to be less isolated as you work allows you to be less isolated as you work

on your issues on your issues helps you to realize you're not alone in helps you to realize you're not alone in

your struggles your struggles provides multiple perspectives on issues provides multiple perspectives on issues

and how you are seen by others and how you are seen by others provides an ideal means for practicing and provides an ideal means for practicing and

learning new interpersonal behaviors learning new interpersonal behaviors helping others helps you to see your own helping others helps you to see your own

issues differently and to feel you have issues differently and to feel you have something to offer others something to offer others

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What about confidentiality?What about confidentiality?

The responsibility for The responsibility for confidentiality is shared among confidentiality is shared among the group leader(s) and all group the group leader(s) and all group members. Every member of each members. Every member of each therapy group at the is required to therapy group at the is required to sign to agree to adhere to these sign to agree to adhere to these rules of confidentiality.rules of confidentiality.

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Advantages of Group Advantages of Group Counseling:Counseling: It caters to the needs of more than 1 It caters to the needs of more than 1

student and the maximum being 8 to 10 student and the maximum being 8 to 10 students forming a group. students forming a group.

It also is time saving when compared to It also is time saving when compared to individual counseling as issues can be individual counseling as issues can be addressed simultaneously among the addressed simultaneously among the students.students.

It also provides a healthy atmosphere for It also provides a healthy atmosphere for sharing experiences and learning from the sharing experiences and learning from the other group members so that the student other group members so that the student doesn't feel left out and also is supportive.doesn't feel left out and also is supportive.

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What you can expect from Group What you can expect from Group CounselingCounseling Group counseling provides you with some Group counseling provides you with some

unique opportunities. You'll learn tounique opportunities. You'll learn to address current concerns most important to address current concerns most important to

you. you. identify with others who are experiencing identify with others who are experiencing

similar concerns. similar concerns. increase your self awareness and focus on increase your self awareness and focus on

aspects of your life you wish to change. aspects of your life you wish to change. gain immediate feedback on how others see gain immediate feedback on how others see

you from other members and the leaders. you from other members and the leaders. become more sensitive to the needs of others. become more sensitive to the needs of others. respect individual differences as you learn to respect individual differences as you learn to

affirm your own uniqueness. affirm your own uniqueness.

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GROUP MEMBERSHIPGROUP MEMBERSHIP Group membership is either homogeneous or Group membership is either homogeneous or

heterogeneous. heterogeneous. Homogeneous groups are composed of Homogeneous groups are composed of

individuals who are similar, such as individuals who are similar, such as adolescent boys, single parents or individuals adolescent boys, single parents or individuals working with grief and loss issues. working with grief and loss issues.

Heterogeneous groups are made up of people Heterogeneous groups are made up of people who differ in background, such as adults of who differ in background, such as adults of various ages with varied careers. various ages with varied careers.

While homogeneous groups can concentrate While homogeneous groups can concentrate on resolving one issue, their members may be on resolving one issue, their members may be limited experientially. limited experientially.

In contrast, heterogeneous groups offer In contrast, heterogeneous groups offer diverse but multifocused membership. diverse but multifocused membership.

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Effective group leaders screen potential Effective group leaders screen potential members before accepting them. members before accepting them.

Screening allows leaders to select members Screening allows leaders to select members and members to select leaders and groups. and members to select leaders and groups.

The ideal group size of eight to 12 allows The ideal group size of eight to 12 allows members an opportunity to express members an opportunity to express themselves without forming into subgroups.themselves without forming into subgroups.

In order to help dispel and overcome In order to help dispel and overcome misconceptions about groups, leaders can misconceptions about groups, leaders can utilize pregroup interviews to identify fears utilize pregroup interviews to identify fears related to upcoming groups. related to upcoming groups.

Through feedback and explanation, Through feedback and explanation, misunderstandings can be immediately misunderstandings can be immediately clarified and corrected. clarified and corrected.

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GROUP STAGESGROUP STAGES In addition to preplanning, effective In addition to preplanning, effective

group counseling leaders recognize that group counseling leaders recognize that groups go through five stages: groups go through five stages: dependency, conflict, cohesion, dependency, conflict, cohesion, interdependence, and termination. The interdependence, and termination. The stages are often called "forming, stages are often called "forming, storming, norming, performing, and storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. adjourning.

Recognizing group stages gives Recognizing group stages gives counselors an opportunity to devise or counselors an opportunity to devise or utilize appropriate leadership utilize appropriate leadership interventions. interventions.

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The first group stage is "dependency" or The first group stage is "dependency" or forming. At this time, group members are forming. At this time, group members are unsure of themselves and look to their unsure of themselves and look to their leaders or others for direction. leaders or others for direction.

The second stage in group counseling is The second stage in group counseling is "conflict," or storming. It may be overt or "conflict," or storming. It may be overt or covert. The type and amount of conflict covert. The type and amount of conflict that is generated relates to how much that is generated relates to how much jockeying for position goes on in the group. jockeying for position goes on in the group.

Stage three focuses on "cohesion," or Stage three focuses on "cohesion," or norming, which can be defined as a spirit norming, which can be defined as a spirit of "we-ness." In it, members become closer of "we-ness." In it, members become closer psychologically and are more relaxed. psychologically and are more relaxed. Everyone feels included in the group and Everyone feels included in the group and productive sharing begins to occur. productive sharing begins to occur.

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In the fourth stage, performing, the In the fourth stage, performing, the main work of the group is begun. main work of the group is begun. Interdependence develops. Group Interdependence develops. Group members are able to assume a members are able to assume a wide variety of constructive roles wide variety of constructive roles and work on personal issues. and work on personal issues.

The final stage, adjourning deals The final stage, adjourning deals with termination. Issues of loss in with termination. Issues of loss in separating from the group are separating from the group are raised. Celebrating the raised. Celebrating the accomplishment of goals is also a accomplishment of goals is also a primary focus within this stage. primary focus within this stage.

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GROUP COUNSELING SKILLSGROUP COUNSELING SKILLS As with other groups, leaders of As with other groups, leaders of

effective counseling groups need to effective counseling groups need to employ a variety of interpersonal skills.employ a variety of interpersonal skills.

Among the most important of these are: Among the most important of these are: a) active listening, where leaders are a) active listening, where leaders are

sensitive to the language, tone, and sensitive to the language, tone, and nonverbal gestures surrounding nonverbal gestures surrounding members' messages; members' messages;

b) linking, where leaders help members b) linking, where leaders help members recognize their similarities; recognize their similarities;

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c) blocking, where leaders keep unfocused c) blocking, where leaders keep unfocused members from disrupting the group by either members from disrupting the group by either redirecting them or preventing them from redirecting them or preventing them from monopolizing conversations; and monopolizing conversations; and

d) summarizing, where leaders help members d) summarizing, where leaders help members become aware of what has occurred and how become aware of what has occurred and how the group and its members have changed. the group and its members have changed.

Empathy, personal warmth, courage, flexibility, Empathy, personal warmth, courage, flexibility, inquiry, encouragement, and the ability to inquiry, encouragement, and the ability to confront are vital skills too. Counseling group confront are vital skills too. Counseling group leaders must wear many hats in helping their leaders must wear many hats in helping their groups make progress. The more skills within groups make progress. The more skills within the counselors' repertoires the more effective the counselors' repertoires the more effective they will ultimately become.they will ultimately become.

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Ethical issues involved in Ethical issues involved in group Counseling are:group Counseling are: Informed consent: The leader has to Informed consent: The leader has to

demonstrate to all the members honesty and demonstrate to all the members honesty and respect and also provide information about the respect and also provide information about the group in the initial session. The information group in the initial session. The information includes a clear statement regarding the includes a clear statement regarding the purpose of the group, ground rules, the group purpose of the group, ground rules, the group leader’s introduction, information concerning leader’s introduction, information concerning fees, issue of confidentiality, rights and fees, issue of confidentiality, rights and responsibilities of group members etc. responsibilities of group members etc.

It also involves stressing on the responsibilities It also involves stressing on the responsibilities of the group members which are regularity, of the group members which are regularity, punctuality, being willing to openly talk about punctuality, being willing to openly talk about oneself, providing feedback to others, oneself, providing feedback to others, maintaining confidentiality. maintaining confidentiality.

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While a member wants to leave a While a member wants to leave a group, he should provide a valid group, he should provide a valid reason to the group leader for opting reason to the group leader for opting out and not just leave without prior out and not just leave without prior notice and explanation. notice and explanation.

Confidentiality is one of the key norms Confidentiality is one of the key norms of behavior in a group. It should be of behavior in a group. It should be clearly explained in the initial session clearly explained in the initial session by the group leader to all the members by the group leader to all the members and also the situation when and also the situation when confidentiality can likely be broken in confidentiality can likely be broken in certain cases. certain cases.

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Characteristics of a Characteristics of a Group leaderGroup leader   Some personal characteristics are very Some personal characteristics are very

essential for the group leader as in order to essential for the group leader as in order to promote growth in the member’s lives, the promote growth in the member’s lives, the leaders themselves should live growth leaders themselves should live growth oriented lives. They are:oriented lives. They are:

   Presence: Being emotionally present means Presence: Being emotionally present means

able to share the joy and pain that others able to share the joy and pain that others experience. This helps in being empathizing experience. This helps in being empathizing and compassionate to the group members. and compassionate to the group members.

   Personal power: It involves the group leader to Personal power: It involves the group leader to

be confident about themselves and facilitate be confident about themselves and facilitate the member’s towards empowerment. the member’s towards empowerment.

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Courage: The group leader must be able to Courage: The group leader must be able to openly accept his faults, confronting others. openly accept his faults, confronting others.

   Willingness to confront oneself: The group Willingness to confront oneself: The group

leader should be willing to question himself, leader should be willing to question himself, about his attitude, feelings, biases etc. about his attitude, feelings, biases etc.

   Sincerity and Authenticity Sincerity and Authenticity    Sense of Identity Sense of Identity    Inventiveness and Creativity: They should Inventiveness and Creativity: They should

be open to new experiences, share new be open to new experiences, share new ideas and not stick to traditional  ritualistic ideas and not stick to traditional  ritualistic methods. methods.