PYC3701 Assignment 1

In this paper, I discuss my experience with observing a group counseling session with the purpose of evaluating it in terms of how it is set up, how it is run, interventions used, culturally sensitivity, and the contribution toward my professional development as a social worker. The group setting plays a critical role in social work outside of the individual session and can be largely beneficial for clients in the forms of therapy, counseling, self-help, and support. By attempting to better understand group interventions, I will learn how to apply this strategy in aiding clients for whom this method is appropriate by increasing their social supports.

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.

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

The purpose of this research paper was to attend two support group meetings and share my experiences. The meetings that were to be attended were an Alcoholics Anonymous

Psychoeducational groups relating to additions or substance abuse are designed to assist participants in their stages of change, learn about recovery, provide information to families to understand behaviors, and to assist participants with resources and skills (U.S Department of Health and Human Services, n.d). Psychoeducational groups will support participants and encourage them to take responsibility for their actions. These groups will utilize different methods to replace addictive behavior and practice mindfulness to work on any cognitive impairment that their addiction has produced (U.S Department of Health and Human Service, n.d). In addition, substance abuse or addiction psychoeducational groups provide participants support and peer confrontation. Other members are able to support the group by offering education about what has worked well for them, or what has not work well. The group processes also provides emotional support for members to assist in personal recovery.

At the beginning of my training, I was hesitant to work with people struggling with addiction. However, at this point, I am excited to begin working with this population. The raw honesty presented in the group setting along with the anger at the possibility of losing a safe place created a dynamic I wanted to further explore. Research supports that individuals attending group therapy in a 12 step program format succeed if they have the proper support and motivation (Cite). The group dynamic demonstrated that recovery takes time and self-discovery, similar to other situations dealt with in therapy. Subsequently, by using my sense of self and humor with clients struggling with addiction, I can help them in their journey. Furthermore, the client needs to identify accountability at their own pace in the process and not when others dictate. This knowledge and the personalization of addiction will aid me in the future support of my

Purpose of the group counseling varies from group to group. It can be therapeutic, educational, or helping people to make fundamental changes in their way of thinking, feeling and behaving (Corey, 2004, p. 7). Group counseling/therapy has the advantage of being more effective than individual therapy because, it more closely stimulates social interactions and interpersonal communication patterns than does individual counseling (Kottler, 2004, p. 260). The techniques and strategies use in group counseling are to help resolve members’ interpersonal conflict, promote greater self-awareness and insight, and help them work to eliminate their self-defeating

The meeting had a structure; they followed their agenda strictly. In the beginning of the meeting everyone went around and introduced them selves and said why there were there. I said that I was a student and was there to observe. After the introductions there was several readings that were handed out and asked to be read aloud, some of the reading were “Why are we Here”, “Who is an Addict?”, and “We do Recover”. After the readings they handed out key chains to anyone that has reached a specific time of sobriety. The leader of the group got his 9 mouths key chain. Then there were a few more readings, after the reading the floor was open to anyone who wanted to say anything. Then the meeting was over.

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

The first two groups were mixed gender adults, the third group was available to only women, and the third group was a dual diagnosis group. Adolescent groups are available in the evenings. I attended Group 1 that was led by a psychotherapist. The topic to explore was “Powerless and Control.” The goal or objective was for the client to further recognize theirs powerlessness over addictive disorders. As I witnessed the clients share their personal feelings, I noticed that the therapist encouraged clients to solve their own problems rather than giving them what he would consider to be solutions. He also repeatedly used the effective therapeutic communication of reflection. For example, the therapist would say, “So it made you felt angry and frustrated…” when a client gave an account of a heated argument with her

The group topic was on “Looking at Urges and Cravings” (U&C). Activities included learning and identifying the patterns/signs of U&C, and learning steps and strategies for handling U&C to avoid/prevent unnecessary relapse. Mr. Hawkins moderately

PO was on time, attentive, and moderately participated in the group discussion. PO demonstrated an understanding of the topic by identifying and sharing three people that are important to her support network, and the reasons she chose them. PO shared openly and respectful in group, and is in compliant with treatment. PO reported attending two self-help meetings this past week. Verification was provided.

Group therapy is an important method that is commonly used by psychiatric professionals in the treatment of many types of mental illnesses. They consist of three or more people and are targeted at promoting psychological development and change. There are three different types of groups. The task group works by using tasks, such as activities and techniques, designed to help clients work toward desired goals. In addition, midrange groups work by allowing clients to share their thoughts and feelings with others who have learned to cope with similar problems over a longer period of time. Lastly, process groups work by allowing clients to work on their communicating patterns, skills and methods (Fortinash & Holoday Worrett, 2008).

The group facilitator opened the meeting stating that the meeting was open to all who attended and all that was asked was that if anyone was holding any illegal substances, they were asked to clean themselves up and return to the meeting. She stated that there was only one requirement

On April 18, 2011 the Member began employment as a social worker, On December 13, 2011, the Member conducted a first counseling session with the Client, an individual who was seeking assistance from the Community Health Centre in respect of personal issues relating to depression. The Member subsequently provided one-on-one counseling services to the Client until August 30, 2012. During the last counseling session, the Member discussed with the Client his feelings of “social isolation”, a recent romantic relationship that ended abruptly, “boundaries and relationship” issues and “enabling behaviours” in the context of his relationships.