Power And Potency Of Groups

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.

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

These feelings of acceptance can be connected to human psychology as shown by Nathan Dewall, a psychologist at the University of Kentucky “People who feel isolated and lonely and excluded tend to have poor physical health,” DeWall says. They don’t sleep well, their immune systems sputter, and they even tend to die sooner than people who are surrounded by others who care about them” (Association for psychology). Hence, when I was conducting my case study I was working towards gaining approval from my professor and peers. This idea of acceptance is universal feeling, no matter who you are what you believe in, you should always be accepted. This is a major part of all of our writing scenarios because we want people to approve of what we are writing about and the cause behind it. In Cisneros’, article she spent her entire life trying to gain approval from her father through the books and articles that she has written. Cisneros even claims that “everything [she] has] ever written has been for him, to win his approval”(Cisneros 103). This idea of working for

Made a Beginning Group (MAB) of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was observed in the efforts to link course readings and class lectures to real life group work. MAB was observed on October 14, 2015, at 6:00 pm. with fourteen people in attendance. The open support group meeting was located at the First Unitarian Church of Orlando on East Robinson Street and was led by one facilitator. MAB and the facilitator showed deviations from the normal group practices discussed in the class of Group Dynamics and Process. However, some familiar therapeutic factors such as Instillation of Hope, Imitative Behavior, Universality, Group Cohesiveness, and Catharsis were evident in the group’s dynamics. The observation techniques included the point of view of an observer, a hypothetical point of view as facilitator, and the observer’s reaction. Together, these observations suggest that even though MAB does not follow standard group procedures; therapeutic and helping factors occur relatively routinely.

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

The topic that I nominate for my six week group content/intervention mid-term project is teen dating violence. I will be discussing different techniques, leader skills, and interventions that I will utilize when I facilitate a six week group. I will incorporate several different icebreakers and activities that has been used in an adolescents groups by clinicians. As the therapist, some of the techniques consist of the following empathy, reframing, Socratic questioning, active listening, and effective communication skills. The three most important leader styles that will be identify in my group are directive leaders, participative leaders, and supportive leaders. I will be discussing interventions, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy,

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.

I interviewed two of my co-workers who, like me, are in recovery and have been through several deferent types of groups. I will start with a female co-worker, who is explain to me one group she believes that used effective group communication. The male co-worker explained to me what the deferent types of recovery groups he attended and how he defines them.

Describe how your experience of the leading, participating in, or observing groups have informed or influenced you regarding your own group leadership skills, leadership style, and perception about groups;

I feel that most people that have reached out to a group of this type are in the bargaining or depression stages, and will make adjustments according to where the member begins at. The procedures and methods that I will use for this group are the person-centered approach, cognitive therapy, and the WDEP model of reality therapy. The person-centered approach uses self-exploration and emphasizes the counselor client relationship. The cognitive behavior therapy will focus on changing the automatic thoughts and cognitive restructuring. I feel that adding the technique from reality therapy called WDEP, that stands for, wants, direction and doing, evaluation, and planning and commitment (Corey & Corey, 1992). I feel that these will work well to accomplish the ultimate goal of changing the way that the clients may feel it was their fault, or that they have failed. It will also serve as a good roadmap to help navigate the stages of grief. I also feel that all members of the group will respond to these

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.

Group members were to identify their main responsibility to their family, and discuss how to resume responsibilities without putting their recovery in a risky situation. Group members also discussed how to get extra support from a few special people called recovery partners.

substantial information about the group process. As I have learned in this program, group therapy is a powerful form of therapy that allows group members to complete their therapeutic goals in a group setting. As a therapist, I believe it is essential to experience what group process is like. For this class assignment we were required to record a video session of a group session demonstrating skills discussed by Yalom in our required text. This paper will serve the purpose to explore my reaction of the experience of leading the group, reflections on the Yalom skills I incorporated, and my views on the strengths I displayed as a leader. In addition, I will explore ways I can improve as a group leader. From this assignment, my hope is to complete a session with tenants of Yalom, and make improvements to my therapeutic style.

Much of the first part of this work is based upon the research of Drum et al (2011) which " offered a thorough and informative review of changes in the health system and the opportunities such changes provide for group workers, " (p. 353). Included in this review of literature are five specific criteria that can help design a useful group setting where healing processes can take advantage of these environmental