Becoming An Effective Group Leader

Jacobs, E. E., Masson, R. L., Harvill, R. L., & Schimmel, C. J. (2012). Group counseling: Strategies and skills (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

I learned two significant things about group counseling in this course. The first thing that I learned is the importance of setting up a treatment plan. The intention is to follow the client from their entrance into the program until the client is discharged. In this process the clients’ problems are identified through various assessments and as each problem is addressed, it is checked off of the list. Once all of the problems are checked off of the list, the client is considered as having completed the plan. This plan is especially important because it evokes thoughtful conversation between the client and the counselor and is the best method to gain information from the client regarding the help they want to receive. The second most significant thing that I learned about group counseling is how to design a group from start to finish. From pre group design, planning the goals of the group and determining the members to setting up the environment and structuring the sessions, each step adds its own important components to designing group counseling.

The process of running a group therapy session is a unique time to tests a person’s skills abilities when it comes to facilitating that group. This paper will mainly look at ways when it comes to my learning's of this class that I took ways; I will also show examples and skills to run a good group therapy session. This whole paper is a reflection of the many things that I took was on being an active group counselor facilitator.

After completing the group task of preparing a presentation on, transferring individual facilitation skills into a group work setting I will critically reflect upon my own participation. I will evaluate my self-awareness while working in the group, as well as those around me. The way that I personally dealt with any issues that arose within the group and how that affected the group dynamics. I will also briefly discuss the roles in which each member of the group took and how role allocation affected, the group dynamics and the working relationships. Finally I will evaluate my work having discussed it with my fellow group members.

Group leaders are essential to the success of accomplishing the mutual goals of group counseling. The role that group leaders play is vital for establishing a group environment in which members feel safe, engaged, and encouraged. Characteristics and functions of effective group leaders are good listening skills, good observations skills but more importantly, remain impartial, therefore, the group leader does not give her or his opinions about topics because of consequences that can bring to the group. Additionally, group leaders are culturally sensitive to differences in power and privilege among groups from different ethnic backgrounds. Encouraging participation from members who are hesitant to speak up as well as ensuring that all ground rules are enforced are responsibilities of an effective group leader. However, also being aware that not every member is as comfortable in sharing as others are key for group leaders to be

Working in a group to achieve a high quality group project can be one of people’s most difficult school experiences. Working in a group is tough because there is often someone who does not pull their own weight. “There are five stages to group development, adjourning, forming, storming, performing, and norming” (John & Wiley pg 166). Christine’s group from the Case Study the Forgotten Group Member is in between the Storming and Norming Stages. The Storming Stage “is dealing with tensions and defining group tasks,” while the Norming Stage is dealing with high emotionality and tension among the group members” (John & Wiley pg. 166). Christine and her group could have had better

Throughout this entire course we have learned many concepts and strategies to synthesize and use leadership as a means of working in a group setting. These concepts allowed us to learn not only how to lead other

There are several leadership skills that are needed to run an effective and therapeutic group. The primary skills are cutting off; drawing out; and holding, shifting, and deepening the focus (Jacobs, 2016). As the group moves into the middles stage sessions other skills can be beneficial for the leader (Jacobs, 2016). These skills include use of progress reports, introducing topics, inspiring thoughts, changing the format, varying the style of leadership, restructuring the group, varying the tone of voice, utilization of resources and projects, meeting one on one with the members, and communicating with the group prior to the groups ending (Jacobs, 2016). This skill can aid in creating an environment that is both valuable and meaningful

Overall groups have been a major part of my life from participating in them to facilitating them. While I have been apart of them I never really thought about the fact that I am in them until now, even being in groups in the last few weeks in class I have been more conscious of what I am doing. I have been in groups for children with anxiety, groups that are clubs, and have worked leading support and activity groups as well as groups for children including summer camps, out of school care and daycare. From this course, I hope to develop my skills more in these areas as well as learn skills in a therapeutic facilitator role.

As I began the Group Process and Dynamics course, I was excited to become educated and experienced with group counseling. Group counseling is a topic I have enjoyed in the past and have continued to be fascinated by. I have learned the elements of a group process through observation and research. The group process consists of several elements that come together when the group begins and ends when the group is terminated. I have observed group norms, group cohesion, the generation of trust, the manifestation of resistance, the emergence of conflict and resolution, healing forces, the reactions of group members, and the various stages a group develops through (Corey, Corey, & Corey, 2010). Throughout this course, I was able to derive a conceptualization of groups. From this course I will take with me the understanding of how effective group counseling can be for individuals. Groups have been known to be as effective as individual therapy and a great source of treatment. Group counseling is designed as a part of a treatment plan that helps individuals and guide them through change. Group counseling is a versatile practice, which can be used in several settings and with different populations (Corey et al., 2010). This course has given me the opportunity to reflect on my own personal leadership style, the challenges that may arise, and an action plan to continue my group leadership knowledge and skills.

This article was very applicable to group practice because it described a positive mutual support group experience and explained why the group was successful. I found it interesting that the members said that the most valuable things the group leader did was help all the members feel included and supported. If I become a group leader as a social worker, this is an important aspect to remember, because the success of the group depends largely on how I encourage participation, help members offer and receive support from each other, and help each member to feel included and a valued member of the

Our group experience aligns with Bruce W Tuckman’s group development cycles. Tuckman’s first stage to group development is the forming stage, which members act cautiously with each other in order to understand the group's goal. Since group members were assigned at random, all members put in the effort to be cordial with each other. In the beginning, our group's climate was spontaneous. We had little to none primary tension as everyone was positive and encouraged each other to share their ideas for a product. When members were shy to put input in group decisions, I made sure to ask them for their opinion. For example, I noticed that I was contributing a lot of my ideas for possible products but group member Tony had yet to comment on his ideas.

Group counseling may be adverted to as a course of counseling, which takes a group of people coming together under one or more trained therapists, who simultaneously facilitate them and promote them to help one another to overcome their challenges. The group members are usually peers who may not necessarily face the same problem, but their problems may be linked. According to Jacobs, Masson, Harvill and Schimmel (2012), all members in a counseling group wish and desire personal growth. This kind of therapy has been employed over the years and it has produced excellent results in the lives of the group members.

This chapter reviewed many different aspects of group work such as different processes and skills required to run several different groups. The groups discussed were open-ended group, groups hosted in residential settings, single-session groups, and large activity groups.

In conclusion, this class has changed my perspective about working in a group. Since my prior experience with groups was so unsettling, I believed that all groups were going to be the same. However, this class has made it possible to believe that there are groups that respect and take into consideration other members’