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GROUP COUNSELING & CONSULTATION - Coggle Diagram
GROUP COUNSELING & CONSULTATION
INTRODUCTION
“Groups are valuable because they allow members to experience a sense of belonging, to share common problems, to observe behaviors and consequences of behaviors in others, and to find support during self-exploration and change” (Nims, 1998, p. 134).
By participating in a group, people develop social relationships and emotional bonds, and often become enlightened (Posthuma, 2002).
The Place of Groups in Counseling
Group – two or more people interacting together to achieve a goal for their mutual benefit
Therapeutic factors within groups:
Instillation of hope [treatment will work]
Universality [one is not alone]
Imparting of information [how to..]
Altruism [working for the common good]
Corrective recapitulation of the primary family group [reliving & solving early family conflict]
Development of socializing techniques [interacting]
Imitative behavior [modeling]
Interpersonal learning [insight]
Group cohesiveness [bonding]
Catharsis [expressing feelings]
Existential factors [accept responsibility]
Benefits
Helps individuals with various problems (students, adults, offenders, stress management, etc.).
Drawbacks
Groupthink mentality
Individuals may not be dealt with in-depth
Some may use groups as an escape
Various Group Form
Psychoeducational Groups
Counseling Groups
Psychotherapy Groups
Task/Work Groups
Theoretical approaches in conducting groups
Ward (1982) analyze the degree to which each approach paid attention to the individual interpersonal and group levels of the process
Psychoanalytic gestalt and behavioral approaches were strong in focusing on the individual but weak on interpersonal and group level components of the group process
The person centered approach was strong on the individual level and medium on the interpersonal and group level
Ford and urban (1998) believe counsellors should consider four main factors when selecting a theory
personal experience, consensus of experts, prestige and a verified body of knowledge
Stages in Groups
Gladding
Forming
foundation and expectation are laid out
anxiety, dependency.
In this stage members express anxiety and dependency and talk about non problematic issues.
Storming
turmoil and conflict occur
members seek to establish selves in hierarchy of the group and deal successfully with issues concerning anxiety, power, and future expectations
Sometimes the group leader is attacked at this stage
Norming
group generates enthusiasm and cohesion
decides on goals and ways of working together.
Performing/working
group is productive
involved with each other
Mourning/termination
End
good-bye to one another
feel fulfilled or bitter
Sometimes there is a celebration experience at this point of the group
Corey
FORMING: proposal, announce, pregroup interview, selection
INITIAL: teach how to participate, group process, responsibility, goals setting, structuring, members sharing
TRANSITION: conflicts dealing, constructuve working, express reactions
WORKING: risk taking, feedback given, work outside the group, feels supported
FINAL: dealing with termination, unfinished business, apply skills, follow-up, assessment
Characteristic of the five group stages
characteristic
peer relationship
task processing
useful procedures
Issues in groups
Selection and preparation of group members – pregroup training and pregroup interview are helpful to formation of the group
Homogeneous group (in which members are similar), there is usually less conflict and risk taking, more cohesion and support, and better attendance.
Heterogeneous group (in which members are diverse), there is more conflict initially and greater risk taking, but support and cohesion may lag and members may drop out.
Issues that potential participants should clarify before they enroll in a group (Corey, 2016)
A clear statement of the group's purpose
a description of the group format, ground rules, and basic procedures.
A statement about the educational and training qualification of the group leader
a pre group interview to determine whether the potential group leader and members are suited for one's needs at the time
a disclosure about the risk involved in being in the group and the members rights and responsibilities.
A discussion about the limitations of confidentiality and the roles group leaders and participants are expected to play within the group setting.
Group size and duration – determined by purpose and preference
Open-ended vs. closed groups – open-ended groups admit new members after having started and closed
Confidentiality – what has been said within group setting will not be revealed outside
Physical structure – room or setting in which group is assembled
Co-leaders – two leaders may be beneficial to some groups
Self-disclosure – dependent on trust between members
Feedback – members respond to verbal messages and nonverbal behaviors of others
Criteria for feedback evaluation
beneficial to the receiver and not serve the needs of the giver
more effective when it based on describable behavior
positive feedback is more beneficial in early stage of group development
effective when it immediately follows a stimulus behavior and is validated by others
grab the benefit when the receiver is open and trust the giver
Follow-up – keeping in touch with members after the group has terminated
Qualities of Effective Group Leaders
Caring – the more the better
Meaning attribution – clarifying, explaining, providing cognitive framework for change
Emotional stimulation – activity, challenging, risk taking, self-disclosure
Executive function – developing norms, structuring, suggesting procedures
