Group Dynamics in Group Dynamics in Survivor GroupsSurvivor Groups

Laraine Bodnar, MA, LCPC, NCCLaraine Bodnar, MA, LCPC, NCCLOSS Program LOSS Program

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicagoof Chicago

Structure of MeetingsStructure of Meetings

2 hours in length2 hours in lengthReading of Group GuidelinesReading of Group GuidelinesGo-AroundGo-AroundGroup discussionGroup discussionBreak half-way through the meetingBreak half-way through the meetingClosingClosingDebriefing after meeting with mental Debriefing after meeting with mental health clinicians and facilitatorshealth clinicians and facilitators

Importance of GuidelinesImportance of Guidelines

We ask that you respect each other’s grief We ask that you respect each other’s grief and experiences by keeping what you hear and experiences by keeping what you hear confidential and within the room. confidential and within the room.

Please share the time available with others. Please share the time available with others. Don’t monopolize.Don’t monopolize.

Even though you may want to add to what Even though you may want to add to what someone has said, the group process is someone has said, the group process is more successful when no interruptions are more successful when no interruptions are made when others are speaking. made when others are speaking.

Please be accepting and non-Please be accepting and non-judgmental of others. We are all judgmental of others. We are all different in our experiences.different in our experiences.

Remember that adults learn best by Remember that adults learn best by hearing experiences of others, not by hearing experiences of others, not by getting advice from others. Talk about getting advice from others. Talk about what you did, rather than what what you did, rather than what someone else should do.someone else should do.

Please avoid vulgar language. It may Please avoid vulgar language. It may be offensive to others in the group.be offensive to others in the group.

Don’t be afraid of silence. Don’t be afraid of silence.

We strongly urge attendees to not use illicit We strongly urge attendees to not use illicit drugs or alcohol before coming to a meeting. drugs or alcohol before coming to a meeting. These substances can alter a person’s These substances can alter a person’s interaction with others and interfere with the interaction with others and interfere with the group process. group process.

If, for any reason, you find you need to leave If, for any reason, you find you need to leave early, before the conclusion of the meeting, early, before the conclusion of the meeting, please let the facilitator know. We are please let the facilitator know. We are concerned for your well-being.concerned for your well-being.

We request that you turn off cell phones and We request that you turn off cell phones and pagers before the meeting begins.pagers before the meeting begins.

Go-AroundGo-Around

IntroductionsIntroductions

Facilitator models the processFacilitator models the process

Participation is never forcedParticipation is never forced

2 Facilitators and 1 Mental Health Clinician 2 Facilitators and 1 Mental Health Clinician make up leadership team for the groupmake up leadership team for the group

Eye Contact Eye Contact

Active ListeningActive Listening

Facilitator will listen to the issues raised in Facilitator will listen to the issues raised in the Go-Around.the Go-Around.

If a member does not start the discussion, If a member does not start the discussion, a facilitator will begin using issues that a facilitator will begin using issues that were raised in the Go-Around.were raised in the Go-Around.

Reflect back to group what was heard in Reflect back to group what was heard in the Go-Around.the Go-Around.

Open discussionOpen discussion

Varying levels of participationVarying levels of participation

Different relationship losses present at Different relationship losses present at meetingsmeetings

Emotions Emotions

Intensity of feelingsIntensity of feelings

Each group develops an energy of its own.Each group develops an energy of its own.

Importance of retelling of one’s storyImportance of retelling of one’s story

Coping skills are learned.Coping skills are learned.

Books and resources are shared.Books and resources are shared.

Support groupsSupport groups

No judgmentsNo judgments

Safe environmentSafe environment

To facilitate discussion:To facilitate discussion:

Facilitators have materials from which to Facilitators have materials from which to draw ideasdraw ideas

Facilitators may draw upon their own grief Facilitators may draw upon their own grief experienceexperience

Use of open-ended questionsUse of open-ended questions

Facilitators may suggest a general topic to Facilitators may suggest a general topic to the group, i.e., angerthe group, i.e., anger

Monthly Group and 8-Week GroupsMonthly Group and 8-Week Groups

Same processSame process

Same group dynamicsSame group dynamics

Different membership in monthly groupsDifferent membership in monthly groups

More intense sharing in weekly groupsMore intense sharing in weekly groups

Less facilitator involvement in weekly Less facilitator involvement in weekly groupsgroups

Closer bonds in weekly groupsCloser bonds in weekly groups

Potential DifficultiesPotential DifficultiesMonopolizingMonopolizingSilenceSilenceComparison of pain: Grief competitionComparison of pain: Grief competitionInterruptingInterruptingAdvice-givingAdvice-givingChallenging other membersChallenging other membersPassing judgment on others’ feelings or Passing judgment on others’ feelings or behaviorsbehaviorsDisrupting the meetingDisrupting the meeting

Discussion of graphic detailsDiscussion of graphic details

Dealing with members in crisisDealing with members in crisis– IntoxicationIntoxication– Out of control behaviorOut of control behavior– Active suicidal ideationActive suicidal ideation

Refer back to the Guidelines for many problems.Refer back to the Guidelines for many problems.

Redirect problem behavior and group dynamics.Redirect problem behavior and group dynamics.

Speak privately to the individual during the break or Speak privately to the individual during the break or after the meeting.after the meeting.

Take a member out of the meeting to speak with Take a member out of the meeting to speak with him/her.him/her.

Mental health clinician is a resource in a crisis.Mental health clinician is a resource in a crisis.

Multiple Family MembersMultiple Family Members

Can change the dynamics of a groupCan change the dynamics of a groupMay be positive for family to be able to May be positive for family to be able to share together in a safe placeshare together in a safe placeMay have drawbacks as some family May have drawbacks as some family members may feel inhibited about members may feel inhibited about speaking with other family members speaking with other family members present.present.Blame, anger, tension felt in the family Blame, anger, tension felt in the family may spill over into groupmay spill over into group

Questions and AnswersQuestions and Answers