1. Therapeutic Factors (TF) are apparent and needed in every group experience. Some are created naturally and some are facilitated by the group leader. Reflect on your time as a co-leader and technique leader this semester and select 3 Therapeutic Factors that you experienced from the leader chair. A) List, define, and discuss each therapeutic factor. B) For each TF discuss specific examples of how these were apparent to you and how they were created. (CACREP 2.F.6.C) (1 page; 4 points) As I reflect upon my experience as a group leader, both in my co-leader position facilitating a group on assertiveness and my lone facilitative effort to utilize a technique called Autobiography, I was able to recognize three main therapeutic factors. The first was the factor of imparting information which included educational instruction about assertiveness directly seen in the co-led group. The second, therapeutic factor that was created not only by the facilitators, but by the group members was cohesion, which remained evident in both the co-led group and the one person facilitated exercise. Lastly, universality was also quite clearly recognized in both group assignments. The following will be a breakdown of each of the three therapeutic factors and how I relate to them. I will also reflect on examples of each therapeutic factor that was apparent in the groups I led: According to Yalom, imparting information is believed to incorporate didactic instruction, recommendation, advices, or
Group therapy is a highly effective process that is at least as therapeutic as individualized therapy (Yalom, 2005). It is a powerful tool in psychotherapy, however the implementation of group therapy can determine how effective this process can be for the individuals participating. Some elements that are key in the implementation of a new group are the establishment of rules, norms and ethical guidelines. Included in these guidelines are the group leader’s proper training, knowledge of the subject matter, responsible duel relationships, the therapist own personal growth, confidentiality of the therapist, informing participants of the potential emotional outcome of the group, ethical use of exercises, and making appropriate referrals when needed (Jacobs, 2016).
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
After doing the “Self-Assessment of Group Leadership Skills” (Corey, Corey, & Corey,2018), I concluded that I have two strength group leadership skills which are active listening and reflecting. Active listening is one of the essential skills a counselor can possess. The counselor has to be able to listen and pay attention to every detail that his or her clients are discussing and presenting in the session (Corey, Corey, & Corey,). During the technique in counseling class, I realize that I was very good at active listening
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
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.
Our group facilitation was on the subject of time management with regards to completing most important tasks first and devoting time to those specific tasks. Our goals for the group were to create an inclusive, encouraging, and positive environment between group members. My partner and I researched ideas for information that we could use to share as well as use our experience’s with the topic amongst the group. The duration of our group facilitation was ten minutes. As we reflect on the events coming to and during the facilitation we will discourse the inclusion between group members, linking members to discussion and group as well as the process of our facilitation.
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.
Therapeutic groups frequently have students with a large array of issues. Each group is unique and the strategies to address each student’s individual needs can vary depending on how the students present. However, speaking specifically to student level, in an elementary setting, addressing a wide range of issues in a group would require a structured environment in order to form cohesion among the group. Similar to teaching in the classroom, differentiation for students will be required to meet each student’s needs. Creating lessons that can be modified based on student’s needs, functioning level, and strengths can aid in the therapeutic process. Creating interventions that require students to interact can allow the students to find similarities
During my participation in the osteopathic development group leadership programme. I had the opportunity to demonstrate team skills in a group project, our initial meetings confirmed our idea, plan of action and allocated jobs; we established a timeline of tasks, which was essential to completion with the allotted time frame. My role was to research, write and deliver a specific part of our presentation; we planned regular progress updates either in person or via Skype; this ensured that if one team member was having problems completing their task on time, then others could provide additional support, or step in. Our team efforts resulted in unexpected discoveries, learning new skills, increased confidence with public speaking.
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.
The group therapy leader is one of the most essential variables that will influence the group’s success or breakdown. Group therapy leaders need to have very important group leadership skills before they can go into helping individuals deal with their own problems. Group leaders must have knowledge of how groups best function and that they individual posses the skills to intervene in timely and effective ways. When a group leader creates a group climate that fosters interpersonal norms such as directness, openness, respect and concern for one another, these norms will create therapeutic interactions among the members. Essential leader behavior is to cultivate a group climate that is secure, constructive, and encouraging, yet strong enough to at times withstand highly charged emotions, challenges, and interactions between members. In addition to personal characteristics, group leaders need to acquire a body of knowledge and a set of skills specific to group work. Counseling skills can be taught, but there is also an element of art involved in using these skills. The objective of this paper is to compile a list of the important factors and traits that allow therapists to be successful group therapy leaders.
Leadership is the process by which one person can influence an individual or a group into the completion of a goal or an objective. The ability to inspire and motivate others stems from his or her capacity to efficiently manage time and people. I was recently placed in a leadership position, where I facilitate a group of clients who are low-functioning schizophrenic adults at a mental institution. My role as a group facilitator, which I sometimes view as teaching, is to guide and teach members the different coping skills for their illnesses. It is also my responsibility to make sure that members participate and are able to achieve their desired goals. My greatest challenge as a leader is understanding the importance of group dynamics.
In order to be effective, group leaders must be aware of the power and potency of groups. The leaders in Restore were sensitive to group members and where they were in the process. This same consideration was displayed in our class; a good balance of sensitivity and gentle challenge to be involved in the process. It was evident in Restore which facilitators were the better equipped, more passionate and skilled. They were confident and utilized their skills to assist members to find real healing. Restore is a thoughtfully planned out fully fleshed out program. I felt most of the facilitators displayed the potential to combine their training and passion to help members foster healthy behavior changes, were able to