Group counseling strategies and skills chapter 14

2Goals of Therapy Groups Process Goals--goals related to group dynamics Outcome Goals--goals related to changes in individual members... 2Techniques for Conducting Therapy in Groups Tec

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Chapter 14

Counseling and Therapy in

Groups

2

Goals of Therapy Groups

Process Goals goals related to group

dynamics

Outcome Goals goals related to changes

in individual members

2

Parameters in Setting up

Therapy Groups

Determining Group Size

Screening Members

– referrals from other counselors

– written screening

personal interviews

Scheduling group meetings

2

The Leader’s Role and

Responsibilities

Knowing the subject or topic

Providing the right atmosphere

Directing the focus

Being aware of individual members

Watching the clock

Apportioning “air time”

2

The Process of Therapy in a

Group

Getting, Holding, and Deepening the

Focus

Obtaining a Contract

Using Theory

2

Techniques for Conducting

Therapy in Groups

Techniques for Engaging Members

– Members ask questions

– Members guess what the problem is

– Members role-play with the working member

Use of the Therapeutic Round

– In-depth stationary round

– In-depth movement round

Spinning off

2

Involve the Members

When working with one member, involve

the others.

Too often, leaders just conduct individual

counseling and do not take advantage of

all the possible ways to involve the

members

2

Techniques for Helping More Than One Member at the Same Time

Identify common issues

Work briefly with one member while

second member listens

Working members participate in an

in-depth round or sentence completion

Other members dispute or give

feedback

2

Technique for Working with

Individuals Indirectly

Generating topics relevant to a particular

member

Working with a member while aware other

members share the issue and listen

Use of metaphors, analogies, stories

Having members tell of their success with

a problem

2

Therapy that Focuses on

Process

The shy member

The dominating member

The rambling member

The angry member

Using member feedback effectively

2

How Intense Should Therapy Be

Depends on the leader’s depth of knowledge

of the issue and theories

Depends on the leader’s level of skill

Depends on the leader’s own psychological

health

Depends on group’s capacity to support

working member

Depends on commitment of members to

change

2

How Intense Should Therapy Be

(CONTINUED)

WARNING:

Do not “unzip” (make vulnerable) members

unless you know how to zip them back up!

Intense group therapy requires that you

have good individual counseling skills.

2

Providing Therapy in a

Non-Therapy Group

Ask if the member wants to work on an

issue

Check with members to see if it is okay to

deviate from the group’s purpose

Limit time devoted to the working member

so as to return to the main purpose

Check with member about follow-up

therapy

2

Common Mistakes Leading

Therapy Groups

Attempting to conduct therapy without a

contract or agreement

Not involving other members—just

doing one-on-one counseling while

others watch Ways to prevent this is to:

problem

2

Therapy Groups

continued

Spending too much time on one person

Spending too little time on one person

Focusing on an irrelevant topic

Letting members rescue each other

Letting session focus on advice-giving

Leader’s ignorance of the issue, such as

addictions, eating disorders, etc