Group counseling strategies and skills chapter 3

2Purpose of Groups Being clear about the purpose of the group is perhaps the most important group leadership concept to be learned.. Clarity of purpose helps the leader keep the member

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Chapter 3

Purpose of Groups

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Purpose of Groups

Being clear about the purpose of the

group is perhaps the most important

group leadership concept to be learned.

Clarity of purpose helps the leader keep the members on course by suggesting

relevant activities, asking relevant

questions, and cutting off irrelevant

discussions.

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When the Leader is Unclear About the Purpose, Groups Can Be…

Confusing

Boring

Unproductive

To Insure Clarity:

Objectives should be well-defined

The leader should follow the stated

objectives.

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Determining the Purpose of the

Group

The leader must assess the potential members’

needs and then decide which kind of group will

be most helpful.

During the first session of any group, the leader

needs to clarify the purpose with the members.

First sessions have two purposes:

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Common Questions About Purpose

Certain questions arise regarding

the purpose of groups…

– Can the Group Have More Than One

Purpose?

– Must Each Session Have a Purpose?

– Can the Purpose Change?

– Can There Be No Purpose?

– If the Leader is Clear, Will the Members Be?

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Purpose in Single-Session Groups

Some groups may meet only once…

a task group in a school setting

nutrition

a job-seeking skill developmental group

For single session groups, clarity of

purpose is even more important.

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Evaluating Groups

An outcome evaluation model objectively

examines reported behavioral changes in

members’

A self-evaluation model asks the leader to

set objectives for a session/group and then

assess outcomes

A members’ evaluation model can be done

periodically and at the final session, giving

the leader on-going and closing feedback

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Research and Training in Group

Leadership

There continues to be a need for formal

research to determine effectiveness of

group work

Training in group work needs to be tailored more to the needs of specific populations

Trainees/students need more supervised

experience to develop both general

leadership skills and expertise in specific

population areas