Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Group Counseling: Strategies and Skills Ed E. Jacobs Christine J. Schimmel Robert L

Copyright ©

2012 Brooks/C

ole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc.

Group Counseling:Group Counseling:Strategies and SkillsStrategies and Skills

Ed E. JacobsEd E. Jacobs

Christine J. SchimmelChristine J. Schimmel

Robert L. MassonRobert L. Masson

Riley L. HarvillRiley L. Harvill

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Chapter 1Chapter 1

IntroductionIntroduction

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In groups of four, In groups of four,

Make a list of the advantages and Make a list of the advantages and disadvantages of group counseling. disadvantages of group counseling.

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Reasons for Leading GroupsReasons for Leading Groups

EfficiencyEfficiencyExperience of CommonalityExperience of CommonalityGreater Variety of Resources and ViewpointsGreater Variety of Resources and ViewpointsSense of BelongingSense of BelongingSkills PracticeSkills PracticeFeedbackFeedbackVicarious LearningVicarious LearningReal-Life ApproximationReal-Life ApproximationCommitmentCommitment

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In groups of 4,In groups of 4,

Make a list of all the groups you have Make a list of all the groups you have been a part of, or know about.been a part of, or know about.

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Kinds of GroupsKinds of Groups

EducationEducation

DiscussionDiscussion

TaskTask

Growth & ExperientialGrowth & Experiential

Counseling & TherapyCounseling & Therapy

Support Support

Self-HelpSelf-Help

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Group Versus Individual Group Versus Individual CounselingCounseling

Group counseling has specific advantages Group counseling has specific advantages

Group counseling is not for everyoneGroup counseling is not for everyone

Certain issues require individual Certain issues require individual counselingcounseling

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Use of TheoriesUse of Theories

Individual counseling theories (REBT, CBT,TA, Individual counseling theories (REBT, CBT,TA, Adlerian, Behavioral, Reality Therapy) are Adlerian, Behavioral, Reality Therapy) are helpful when leading counseling, therapy, and helpful when leading counseling, therapy, and growth groupsgrowth groups

Certain kinds of groups (discussion, education, Certain kinds of groups (discussion, education, task groups) do not require the use of task groups) do not require the use of counseling theorycounseling theory

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Our Approach to Groups: Our Approach to Groups: Impact TherapyImpact Therapy

People don’t mind being led when they are People don’t mind being led when they are led well.led well.Group counseling should never be boring.Group counseling should never be boring.Group counseling should be clear and Group counseling should be clear and concrete.concrete.The counselor is primarily responsible for The counselor is primarily responsible for the group but not ultimately responsible for the group but not ultimately responsible for the outcome.the outcome.

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Group Counseling in a Group Counseling in a Multicultural ContextMulticultural Context

Important considerations:Important considerations:

Cultural background Cultural background

GenderGender

Age Age

Sexual orientationSexual orientation

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Group Leadership StylesGroup Leadership Styles

The major leadership debate is centered The major leadership debate is centered on how active, directive, and structured on how active, directive, and structured the leader should be.the leader should be.

Jacobs, Masson, Harvill, and Schimmel’s Jacobs, Masson, Harvill, and Schimmel’s position is that an active style of position is that an active style of leadership works best for most groups.leadership works best for most groups.

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Leader-Directed Vs Group-DirectedLeader-Directed Vs Group-Directed

Leader-directed - the leader has an Leader-directed - the leader has an understanding of the member’s needs and understanding of the member’s needs and structures the group to meet those needsstructures the group to meet those needs

Group-directed - the leader will turn the group Group-directed - the leader will turn the group over to the members and have the members over to the members and have the members determine the direction and content.determine the direction and content.

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Interpersonal Versus Intrapersonal Interpersonal Versus Intrapersonal Leadership StylesLeadership Styles

Leadership styles can be viewed on a continuum. Leadership styles can be viewed on a continuum. InterInterpersonally oriented leaders emphasize the “here”, personally oriented leaders emphasize the “here”, and the dynamics of the group. and the dynamics of the group.

IntraIntrapersonally oriented leaders focus on the needs and personally oriented leaders focus on the needs and concerns of the individual members.concerns of the individual members.

InterInterpersonalpersonal IntraIntrapersonalpersonal

Focus on group processFocus on group process Focus on personal issues Focus on personal issues ____________________________________________________________________________________________

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 101 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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Leadership FunctionsLeadership Functions

There are both There are both contentcontent and and processprocess functions that the leader must address. functions that the leader must address.

– ContentContent - the task or purpose of the group - the task or purpose of the group

– ProcessProcess - the interaction between members, - the interaction between members, between members and the leader, and how between members and the leader, and how members participate in the groupmembers participate in the group

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In groups of 4,In groups of 4,

What do you think are the characteristics What do you think are the characteristics of good group leaders?of good group leaders?

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What Makes An Effective Leader?What Makes An Effective Leader?

Experience with individual counselingExperience with individual counseling

Experience and comfort with groupsExperience and comfort with groups

Planning and organizational skillsPlanning and organizational skills

Knowledge of relevant topicsKnowledge of relevant topics

An understanding of basic human issues and An understanding of basic human issues and conflictsconflicts

A thorough understanding of counseling theoryA thorough understanding of counseling theory

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Ethical Considerations When Ethical Considerations When Leading GroupsLeading Groups

Read and understand the Ethical Codes of Read and understand the Ethical Codes of your professional organizations your professional organizations

Be well prepared and knowledgeable on Be well prepared and knowledgeable on the topics of the groups you leadthe topics of the groups you lead

Have adequate supervision and Have adequate supervision and opportunities for personal growth outside opportunities for personal growth outside groups you leadgroups you lead

Avoid harmful dual relationshipsAvoid harmful dual relationships

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Additional Ethical Additional Ethical ConsiderationsConsiderations

Maintain appropriate confidentialityMaintain appropriate confidentiality

Inform members about the goals and purpose of Inform members about the goals and purpose of the group and expectations of membersthe group and expectations of members

Know and use exercises properly, advise Know and use exercises properly, advise members of potential risks, and allow time to members of potential risks, and allow time to processprocess

Encourage, but don’t demand participationEncourage, but don’t demand participation

Don’t trick members into opening upDon’t trick members into opening up

Make appropriate post-group referralsMake appropriate post-group referrals

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Legal IssuesLegal Issues

Know the relevant laws of your stateKnow the relevant laws of your state

As a leader, always use due care and act As a leader, always use due care and act in good faithin good faith

Maintain a “standard of group practice” Maintain a “standard of group practice” common to your professioncommon to your profession

Be aware of your clients’ rightsBe aware of your clients’ rights

Practice within your level of competencePractice within your level of competence

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Potential Group ProblemsPotential Group Problems

Members will do many of the following:

Skip from topic to topic

Dominate the discussion

Be “chit-chatty” rather than personal and focused

Attend sporadically

Be shy and withdrawn

Get angry at the leader

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More Potential ProblemsMore Potential Problems

Get angry at one another

Pressure (force) others to speak

Preach their personal morality

Be resistant because forced to attend

Dislike other members

Stop attending the group

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Documents

Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Group Counseling: Strategies and Skills Ed E. Jacobs Christine J. Schimmel Robert L