Treatment Group Case Study

723 Words2 Pages

The client, social worker, and environment are all essential factors in successfully engaging a group in practice. Support, education, growth, therapy, socialization, and self-help are six main purposes for treatment groups (Toseland & Rivas, 2012, p. 20). A social worker or leader should decide which of one or more of the six purposes will be the purpose of the treatment group they are planning to lead. DHR services??? cases of child abuse and neglect can often stem from parental substance abuse as the primary cause for the issues. As part of the plan for reunification the parent is often enrolls in drug court. Group therapy along with a combination of frequent court appearances and random drug screens are part of the treatment plan. The group …show more content…

The group leader will want to be aware of the dynamics of the group and redirect and positively influence the group as problems may arise. According to Toseland & Rivas (2012), “Group workers should be familiar with four dimensions of group dynamics: (1) communication and interaction patters; (2) the cohesion of the group and its attraction for its members; (3) social controls such as norms, roles, and status; and (4) the group’s culture” (p.94). The common thread among members will be addiction issues but the leader needs to be aware that each group will include people that vary in sex, socioeconomic status, race, religious ties, age, and mental & physical abilities. The worker should help the group have cohesiveness and encourage openness within the group. Leaders should promote group unity and acceptance of diversity among the group. If conflict develops because of differences among the group, the leader should help resolve it with sensitivity and promote acceptance for member differences. According to Fujishin (2013), “The primary advantage of diversity is in group decision-making, problem-solving, and productivity. Heterogeneous groups provide far greater perspectives, experiences, information, and skills than homogenous groups” (p. 13). The group leader should also avoid personal judgment or discrimination of certain members of the group. Commonalities as well as differences should be discussed within the group. Communication styles and means of participation can be influenced by cultural backgrounds. Group leaders should alter group practice principles to use varying techniques that will work for all cultures represented in the group. Strength based perspectives as well as evidence based practices should be utilized by the social

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