The Group Leader
The most important thing you bring to a group session.
What is yourself.
These deal with issues according to the ethical
standards that govern the conduct of the professional
organization
What is ethical issues
The theory that is used in group counseling
What is whatever theoretical orientation that resonates most with you as the counselor
Developing a Proposal for a Group
• Rationale: Why this group? Do you have data to support your rationale?
• Objectives: are your objectives specific, measurable, and attainable within the
timeframe of this group?
• Practical considerations: Is the membership defined? Are the times,
frequency, and duration of the group reasonable? Is the location accessible to
all members?
• Procedures: are the selected procedures able to meet the stated objectives?
• Evaluation: Does your proposal contain the strategies for evaluating if the
objectives were met?
Early concerns: it is common during the initial phase of a group that members might
be hesitant to get involved. Caution is to be expected.
• Participants might be tentative and vague about what they want to get out of the
group experience.
• Some participants might be ready to work and others are more hesitant
• If your leadership style involves little structure, members may start asking, “What are
supposed to be doing?” or state, “I don’t know what we should be talking about?”
• Regardless of the type of group, some hesitation is to be expected in the initial stage,
even if people are eager to join the group.
What are the characteristics at the Initial Stage of Group
Questions such as:
What if I make a mistake?
What do I do with prolonged silence?
How will I start the group?
These are enforced by the rule of law at the local,
state, and federal level
What are legal issues
• Being silent
• Inviting members to deal with a conflict
• Suggesting a new behavior
What is effective group techniques
• A professional disclosure statement
• A statement about the goals and purposes of the group
• Confidentiality and expectations of confidentiality
• The logistics of the group
What are ways to attract and screen potential group members
Will I be accepted?
• Will I feel pressured to disclose deeply personal matters?
• I’m afraid I will change and those I’m close to will not like the changes.
• I’m afraid I might break down and cry.
What are common fears of group members in the initial stage
Courage, willingness to model, presence, non-defensiveness, openness, personal power, sense of humor
What are personal characteristics of a group leader
This is the process of presenting basic information about a group to potential group participants so they can decide whether they want to participate.
What is informed consent
These are most useful when they evolve from the
work of the group participants and are suited to the
situations that evolve in a particular group meeting
What are techniques
depends on who is in the group. 6-8 is preferred for adults, 3-4 for
children; 20-30 children for a group guidance lesson
What is group size
This is an issue that is not openly acknowledged and discussed and may not even be in
the members’ conscious awareness.
• When there are unspoken reactions, by one or more members, a common set of features emerges: low trust, interpersonal tensions, people are guarded and unwilling to take risks, and the leader seems to be working harder than the members
What is a hidden agenda
Assisting members to openly express their expectations,
actively working to create a climate of safety, providing encouragement,
involve as many members as possible, work towards the group leading
itself, helping members overcome barriers to direct communication
What is facilitating
ACA Ethical Standards states: “In a group setting, counselors take reasonable precautions to protect clients from physical, emotional, or
psychological trauma” (A.9.b).
What is psychological risks for group members
• Why did we use this certain technique?
• What did we hope to accomplish by using the technique?
• What did we expect the group members would learn from
the intervention?
• What theoretical framework guided our choice or
technique?
What are questions a counselor should ask when determining what techniques to use during a group session.
We try to do this in a sensitive, respectful, honest, and direct way and perhaps suggest other options such as individual counseling first before joining a like group
What is telling a potential group member that they are not suited for this particular group. this is part of the group screening process.
• The are disconnected from their feelings, and staying on an intellectual level helps them avoid their feelings.
• They may have difficulty connecting with others or getting support
• They may be testing the leader and the members to assess how they will respond to them
• They man come from a culture where small talk is a way to connect
What are individuals that talk extensively during group sessions
A leader stresses member-to-member rather than a leader-to-leader communication makes frequent use of ______________
What is linking
*Misuse of Power
• Self-disclosure
• Maintaining confidentiality
• Scapegoating
• Confrontation
What is possible risks of group therapy
• Feelings
• Behaviors
• Increased self-awareness
• Beliefs
What is what some group leaders choose to focus on during group counseling
“Group Workers screen prospective group members if appropriate to the type of group being
offered. When selection of group members is appropriate, Group Workers identify group
members whose needs and goals are compatible with the group goals of the group” (A.7.a)
What is The ASGW (2008) “Best Practice Guidelines”
If members have a problem in daily life that they want to explore, we typically intervene by
helping them bring this concern into the present group context.
What is focus on the here and now versus there and then