This manuscript will cover the support group experience. This paper will provide insight from the observations of all four groups. This manuscript will discuss the stages each group were currently in. Leadership in the group was observed and this article will illustrate the dynamics of the style observed in the group and how productive the leadership was. Lastly, this report will mention some of the challenges observed and discussed at length during the sessions.
Introduction
My experience was unique in that I observed 4 sessions with two different facilitators. Both facilitators covered substance abuse as a support group session. One session covered anger management as the topic for support. For the purposes of consistency, this
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There were individuals in the group who were there by orders but there were some there because they were eager to grow and learn. As the sessions went on those who were eager showed the enthusiasm in their participation and the leader fed off of their energy. Both facilitators were seasoned leaders but their approach to the session drastically different. Although drastically different styles were on display, both facilitators seem to have received positive feedback. Another natural consequence of group work in contrast from individual counseling is that feedback is very powerful informational tool when several of the group members are saying the same things with accuracy. (Jacobs, 2012) In all four sessions members provided feedback that encouraged the leader of the group. Session three was particularly interesting in that the entire group were all Caucasian adolescents between the ages of 15 to 17. They were nice respectful young men who did not fit the stereotypical teenager who had no respect for adults or authority. This group were court ordered due to being caught using marijuana. This particular group of males really provided feedback in the group so much so that the facilitator praised the members for responding positively in the group. Group one had the dominant female who was always had an opinion about the material and had a story for every point the facilitator …show more content…
The challenges was getting the group to really understand the ramifications of the issue which led to them having court ordered treatment. All four groups were non-volunteering which means they were court ordered or mandated to be present or risk losing privileges. Most of the group were repeat offenders including one adult having a total of four convictions of driving under the influence (DUI). The group leader remark that he does not classify an individual as alcoholic, or social drinker but he classify them as responsible or non-responsible. He went further and said he has seen the social drinker who had a drink, not drunk still was given a change of driving under the influence. The ramifications include: loss of driving privileges, loss of employment, relationship stress, cost of treatment and public embarrassment. Group one/two leader was challenged by the “distractor member” but quickly corrected the individual by reminding him of what is expected. (Jacobs,
As a student, practice is crucial to learn group therapy techniques. In order to achieve these practices, I attended 2 support groups of the same topic. Observation and attendance constructs an idea of how group therapy works. Attending this group was important because of the profoundness of its meaning and experiences I have witnessed.
I attended a support group at 204 S Beverly Drive 116 Beverly Hills, CA 90212. The support group takes place every Tuesday from 6PM-8PM. If a team member cannot make it on Tuesday they can also attend on Saturday from 9AM-11AM. I attended a domestic violence class. The counselor name is Dr. Gordon, his License Marriage and Family Therapist. Dr. Gordon provides the following support group domestic abuse, domestic violence, emotional disturbance, Grief, Internet Addiction, and narcissistic personality and online anger courses and self-esteem. Once you enter the office there is coaches and it feels very comfortable. The instructor was sitting on his desk going over roll call and charging the fee. Once he finished roll call and charging he
Contrary to popular beliefs, supports groups involve much more than a bunch of patients sitting around talking about their problems. There is much more taking place in the room. A good support group process is going to encourage the exchange of ideas, experiences
The group has reached the Norming stage when they begin the second stage. “The team is faced with creating cohesion and unity, differentiating roles, identifying expectation for members, and enhancing commitment. Providing supportive feedback and fostering commitment to a vision are ne...
Social Workers must be knowledgeable on how to facilitate and lead group sessions with clients. They must be cognizant on their responsibilities as a facilitator, and diligently work to meet the needs of all group members collectively and individually. According to Toseland, Ronald, & Rivas, Robert (2009) group work practice focuses on Social Work practice with a broad range of treatment and task groups and the group’s environment (pg. 2.). It is significant for Social Workers to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to be able to properly assess and assist in group atmospheres. At my field placement which is at the Covenant House, a homeless shelter in Detroit that services youth from ages 18-24. I am responsible for co-facilitating along with the agency’s Social Worker, a
Group therapy is considered one of the most resourceful forms of therapy. The benefits to group therapy can be both cost-effective and a great means of support (Corey, Corey & Corey, 2014). The process of experiencing ideas and viewpoints expressed by your peers allows group members to become more susceptible to the counseling procedure. Group counseling also helps individuals to feel a sense of belonging due to similar situations and experiences shared by the group. The sense of support from group members can be an excellent means towards developing long-lasting relationships and developing communication skills needed to move forward during the counseling phase. In this paper, I will discuss my experiences throughout the group-counseling phase.
Gadding, S. T. (2012). Groups: A counseling specialty (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education
...rs to deal with any problems that arise from the group. It is important for them to be alert to the risks of the group. To reduce any unnecessary risks, I will understand each member’s limits, respect their requests, be invitational and not dictatorial, describe their behavior and not be judgmental, and avoid harsh verbal confrontations. These risks will also be discussed during the initial session of the group. I will counteract psychological risks by using various techniques such as blocking, caring confrontation, questioning, and assessing. I have taken precautionary measures as well by contacting my mentors and consultants and alerting them about the risks of the group I am running. If there is an ethical or legal concern, it will be documented and taken to a clinical supervisor. In addition, I have liability protection and malpractice insurance in place.
Alcoholics are all different ages, genders, and races. The disease is not specific to one person and can affect everyone in different way. Self-Help Groups are an important piece of recovery. It does not matter what type of recovery someone is looking for. When someone is in crisis they look to the people who are most likely to understand them and connect with them for support. I believe self-help groups are the most important part of the healing/recovery process. Not only for the person who needs help in the present. It also shows the others in the group why they sought out help in the first place. This group showed how important self-help groups are to the healing and recovery process, I would recommend self-help meetings to anyone looking for support.
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 part 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.
My group experience took place at my work at the Men’s Addiction Treatment Center (MATC). This is a section 35 facility with men with substance abuse. The men are involuntarily committed to treatment due to their substance abuse which puts themselves or others at risk. This treatment program has been around for over two decades. In the program, there are a total of six groups which run daily.
Through the process of this class I have been able to reflect and analyze how I am as a leader as well as a co-leader in a group setting. I believe throughout this process of being part of a group as a member and leader has help me further define the roles that I will play in group counseling in the future. The evolution that I am seeing are an abundance of growth in areas that I thought I was already comfortable in such as being an active listener and co-leading. I see that there are more to becoming a powerful leader and facilitator. There are various aspects of becoming a well rounded group leader as learning the skills to endure especially building your endurance. Also, being able to take risks, being competent and confidence in your ability to lead a group of any sorts. Moreover, I have found that my communication style has shifted especially learning about the process in which you communicate your informal introduction as well as the lingo that is being used as a counselor. Also, the way in which we approach each member of
According to Toseland and Rivas (2005), group dynamics are “the forces that result from the interactions of group members” (p. 64). These forces refer to either the negative or positive influences towards meeting members’ socioemotional needs as well as goal attainment within a group (Toseland & Rivas, 2005), like within my class work group experience. Some of dynamics that continue to emerge and develop in my group is the effective interaction patterns and strong group cohesion, which has generated positive outcomes and group achievement thus far.
This model is similar to socialization groups in that this model helps the clients build a report within the group and foster mutual aid networks that can be used as a tool for coping even after the group terminates. Unlike a socialization group this group also has another function and that is to help the clients gain valuable skills that will help them in life when they are experiencing a crisis or other issue that causes them emotional distress. This model is different from the remedial model because the reciprocal model is group focused and relays less on worker activity and more on group cohesiveness and mutual support to work through issues after a coping tool is learned. The worker would have regular contact with the clients but would enable and encourage the clients to look to one another in times of crisis for the solutions and help. In group, the worker would take a laze fare leadership style and would allow the members to be the experts on the issues which they have experience and can offer
For this to occur however, requires an understanding of culture and society, as well as governance and process. In addition, I have also understood the power of strength based approach, how strength based therapy used in relationships an essential factor among group members. I view this class as the opportunity to practice how effectively work with groups and individuals to understand their own inherent power. Therefore, I learned the way of using a strengths-based approach; I can highlight the assets of group members, offering building blocks which can then lay the foundation of their social change. Furthermore, I understand change could be a mutual process, so in group therapy until group members became comfortable with each other to share their experiences giving them space and later help them to engage in along with group process. I also learn how to help in the facilitation of change, by asking open questions, validating, empathic and allowing them to feel what they are feeling, and empower them what they wants to do with their current