Chapter Eleven

1. Chapter Eleven Groups In Counseling

2. A Brief History of Groups Joseph Hersey Pratt, Boston physician started first psychotherapy group in 1905 Jacob Moreno, group psychotherapy 1920- psychodrama Fritz Perls Gestalt approach to groups Carl Rogers encounter groups 1960s Self Help/Support groups

3. Groups Group – two or more people interacting together to achieve a goal for their mutual benefit Economical and effective Differ in purpose, composition, length

4. Groups Group work- a broad professional practice involving the application of knowledge and skill in a group facilitation to assist an independent collection of people to reach their mutual goals, which may be intrapersonal, interpersonal, or work related. The goals of the group may include the accomplishment of tasks related to work, education, personal development, personal and interpersonal problem solving, or remediation of mental and emotional disorders.

5. Groups Therapeutic factors within groups: Instillation of hope, universality, imparting of information, altruism, corrective recapitulation of family, development of socialization, imitative behavior, interpersonal learning, group cohesiveness, catharsis, existential factors

6. Benefits and Drawbacks Groups have advantages of helping individuals with a variety of problems, research supports groups being effective with certain populations Groups are not for all client concerns or personalities, group think mentality, may not reflect social milieu, may not be productive

7. Types of Groups Psychoeducational – guidance or educational groups are preventive and instructive Teach clients to deal with a threat, life event, or life crisis Brief in duration, meet for limited time Ex. Anger management, study skills

8. Types of Groups Counseling Groups – interpersonal problem solving, stresses affective involvement of client, small intimate setting Psychotherapy Groups- personality reconstruction groups, help group members remediate in depth psychological problems, often inpatient setting

9. Types of Groups Task/Work – apply group dynamics to improve practices and accomplish identified work goals, ex. team

10. Theoretical Approaches Like in individual, theoretical approaches are used in group work Ex. Adlerian group may focus on lifestyles apparent in group, person centered focus on each group member self actualizing

11. Stages of Groups Forming Storming/Norming Performing Adjourning Table 10.1

12. Selection and Preparation Screening group members Screening is a two way process Have clear understanding of group purpose A description of group rules/basic procedures Disclosure of risk Confidentiality limitations

13. Groups Determined by purpose Six to eight With children may be smaller 3 or 4 Open vs Closed Confidentiality, limitations, difficulty enforcing

14. Groups Physical Structure Co leaders Self Disclosure Feedback Followup

15. Qualities of Effective Group Leaders Caring, Meaning attribution, Emotional stimulation, Executive function Personal qualities include presence, personal power, courage, willingness to confront oneself, sincerity, authenticity, enthusiasm, sense of identity and creativity Educated in group process