Group Therapy Essay

At one point in a person life, they will participated in a group whether it is part of a specific committee, therapy, or social group. In recent years, there has been a rise in counseling within a group forum veering from the tradition individual counseling. Therapists, physiologist, and counselors believe that form of counseling is beneficial to both counselor and client. This allows the counselor to help several clients at once rather than one at a time decreasing their strenuous workload and demanding work hours. This form of counseling integrate individual that share similar issues, struggles, and experiences into one forum. This not only allows the clients to learn from the therapist but from their fellow group members. The group experience

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.

Rational for the Group: The need for conducting a group counseling program for adolescents is crucial because they are in a very critical stage in their life. Group couselling for

The reader will journey through the countless difficulties that may arise throughout a group counseling session. During a session counselor must continue to respect the ideals that need. In addition this paper will explore how the leader should behave in handling groups in different stages from the initial stage when first molding the group together, to middle stage (working) of a group. The leader/ counselor should hold an ethic code through this time keeping confidentiality as one of the most vital within a group. Later the reader will observe how the leader would handle conflict within a group should it arise furthermore confidentiality. In conclusion one will understand several reasons why counselors will choose to go with group counseling rather than individual counseling sessions.

Moreover, in my EPC 658 Seminar In Group Counseling, I had an assignment in which I had to develop and facilitate a psychoeducational group at my field site. Therefore, I had the opportunity of playing the role of a group leader. As a group leader, I had to be cognizant of the population I was working with. I was facilitating a psychoeducational group for first-generation college students at East Los Angeles College (ELAC). I was aware that this population tends to be very quiet and hesitant about speaking up about their problem or feel that what they are experiencing is normal because they have been faced with it all their lives. Therefore, one of my goals was to get students to feel comfortable in sharing and feel supported. The goal of this group was to provide support and offer a space where they

It will focus on a members cognitive, affective, and behavioral skills through a structured setting within and across meetings (Corey, et al., 2010, p.11). Sessions will be designed in a structured format and around different themes (Corey, et. al., 2010, p.11). Members will be allowed time to discuss and process various topics and interventions that will be covered. The group will be a closed group. The group will be announced through a brochure that will cover (1) disclosure statement, (2) statement of goals and purpose, (3) expectation for group participation, (4) policies for entering and exiting the the group, (5) rights and responsibilities of group members and the group leader, (6) disclosure to of information to others and documenting procedures, (7) group leader and members procedures for consultation, (8) education, (9) procedures and techniques to be used, (10) time parameters, (11) qualifications of group leader (Corey, et.al., 2010). The brochure will inform referring agencies and help avoid miscommunication of the group 's purpose. The brochure will be distributed to teachers, school counseling, school administrative staff, potential participants and parents.

The topic chosen for this particular group therapy was self-care amongst college students. I chose this particular population due to the fact that I am in college and understand the importance of taking care of one’s self. As a college student certain times in the semester can be overwhelming causing students to stress frantically. Handling responsibilities such as internships, deadlines, homework, and final projects can become tiresome for a student. With such a high demand work schedule, students forget about the importance of keeping up their self-care. As a result, students are left feeling physically, emotionally, and mentally drained. Moreover, the most appropriate type of group would be an educational group. An educational group works with individuals in a group session by teaching a set of specific skills and techniques that can be utilized in a person’s life. As the educational facilitator of this group, I was able to educate the members in my session with specific tactics that can be applied in their college career. In brief, the three most important tactics to promote self-care are, managing stress, socializing, and maintaining an adequate diet.

Since the environment among a school is not that of a clinic or an outside counseling practice, certain planning needs to occur while forming groups. Rather than client’s willingly signing up or seeking out a group, a survey would be completed by faculty and staff to identify potential group members. Students would also participate in the survey process, giving perception of their needs. These surveys would be a form of data collection necessary in addressing needs that could otherwise be unknown. Following this, a meeting with potential group members would take place individually. The students would be informed about the group and what they may gain from it. Expectations, participation and confidentially would also be discussed. From these meetings, the counselor would then be able to determine the student’s interest level and seriousness of need or participation. With careful evaluation, this screening leads to group selection. Informed consent would be introduced and could have been completes prior to the screening. Although minors need parental consent, it is still essential for all students participating to sign and understand the informed consent. Prior to the group meeting, it is the counselor’s

Individuals attend group therapy for different reasons. Some may attend because they are mandated and others may attend because they are wanting help. Nevertheless, a screening process must take place to properly select individuals for the appropriate group. However, there is still a chance that the individual doesn’t make it for the duration of the group. While employed at New Horizons Behavioral Health REACH program as a psychotherapy rehabilitative group leader, I have experienced a few to drop out. Initially, I thought it was something I did. Later I found out it was the individuals’ personal choice to leave the group. According to Yalom, “ Clients will fail in group therapy if they are unable to participate in the primary task of the group,

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.

In the past few years, community agencies have increasingly used groups since various groups have become a common feature of today's society. Some of the most common groups in today's society include groups for women, men, parent education, children, HIV/AIDS support, and those for reducing substance abuse. Due to the increased use of groups by communities, there are various approaches that have emerged including group counseling and group psychotherapy. Group counseling is a designed preventive and remedial approach to meet the needs of specific population in the society like women, men, the elderly, adolescents, and children. On the contrary, group psychotherapy is a re-education process of the present and past through conscious and unconscious awareness.

This article closely examines different ethical, legal, and treatment issues that arise in school group counseling. The author starts by looking at some of the psychological issues that effect school aged children. He also suggest some appropriate topics to offer group counseling on such as a divorce group, a drug and alcohol abuse group, or a physical abuse group. The article goes on to explain several different types of group intervention such as educational guidance groups, counseling groups, and therapy groups. Five different stages of groups; forming stage, storming stage, norming

Researchers indicated that such a setting is not just cost-effective, but group settings offer the participants the opportunity to communicate with peers who share identifiable commonalities. Additionally, a cohesive collaboration of activities, such as problem solving games, encouraged the individuals to support each other for the reinforcement of success and achievement. The benefits of group therapy offer participants the chance to relax while learning new skills and, perhaps, build new bonds with other students that may not have otherwise been possible (Down, Willner, Watts & Griffiths, 2011; Zhaleh, Zarbakhsh & Faramarzi, 2014; Wisdom, Rees, Riley & Weis, 2007; Trip, Vernon & McMahon, 2007; Turner & Barker, 2013; Trip et al., 2015; Henter & Chifor,