Group Work G502 Professional Orientation and Ethics

History of Group Work Groups recorded as early as mid 30s Gained clinical acceptance in early 60s First groups were analytic Gained popularity in 1970s with the Encounter Group movement

More History Gained more credibility in 1980s Research improved in methodological quality Group work in schools has increased dramatically since 1990

Advantages of Group Work Cost effective treatment modality Offers several “curative forces” not present in individual counseling –Universality –Instillation of hope –Safety and support –Interpersonal learning

Advantages of Group Work Benefits of group cohesiveness Ability to help others (altruism) Ability to obtain feedback about oneself from other members, rather than counselor alone

But, Are There Disadvantages? Member may be unable to tolerate stress of group involvement Member may have problems too severe for the group s/he is in Member may be too disruptive for the group Adequate screening of prospective members is essential

Types of Groups Task groups Developmental groups Counseling groups Therapy groups

Task Groups... Are directed to completing a task or tasks Tend to follow well-established “ground rules” Include committees, task forces, classes, and other work-oriented groups

Developmental Groups... Teach specific skills Emphasize learning the learning, less emphasis on understanding group dynamics Include stress management, anger management, weight loss, alcohol cessation, and the like

Counseling Groups... Help “normal” people with adjustment problems or “problems in living every day” May be on specific problems or general in focus Includes most school - based groups

Therapy Groups... Help people diagnosed with mental disorders Deal with “psychopathology” Same techniques as counseling groups Leader expected to understand not only counseling interventions, but also psychopathology and how techniques are applied to those pathologies

Groups Operate at 2 Levels... Content Level –Verbal exchanges Dynamic or “Process” level –Nonverbal behaviors Body language and facial expressions Choice of words Tone of voice

All Groups Have Rules... Called norms Implict and explicit norms –Explicit: discussed in the group –Implicit: develop on their own –Facilitator may find it helpful to illuminate implicit norms when s/he suspects them to be operating in the group

Immediacy The “here and now” quality of a group interaction Some theories call for high levels of immediacy, others do not Immediacy tends to improve progree in counseling and therapy groups

The Group Leader Enjoys multiple interactions Is authoritative rather than directing Engage in an organized, ongoing thought process Thoughts analyze meanings, process responses in terms of group goals

Styles of Leadership Problem-solver –Task-oriented –Topic-oriented –Redirects to task –Solution-seeking Experiential –Process-orientation –Relationship-oriented –Affect and topic focus –Explores meanings

Other Dimensions of Leadership Focus on immediacy Confrontiveness Transparency Verbal activity Most leaders present a combination of problem-solving and experiential styles

Group Work Theories... All major individudal counseling theories have been extended to group work Other models include the following: –Immediacy model (Carroll, 1985) –Personal Growth model –Interpersonal-Interactional model (Stockton & Morran, 1982, 1985; various other authors)

Logistical Aspects of Groups 5-8 members optimal for small group work Open groups allow new members after group begins –Good for support groups, and ongoing developmental groups in clinical settings and schools –Not so good for groups that require high cohesvieness

Logistical Aspects of Groups Closed groups –Admit no more members after group begins Good for therapeutic groups Groups that need to become cohesive

Brief groups are often as effective as long- term groups Logistical Aspects of Groups

Stages of Group Work (from Corey, 1985; Tuckman, 1965) Groups go through every stage They may regress, but they don’t skip a stage The stage are: –Initial (or forming) –Transition (or storming, then norming) –Work (or performing) –Consolidation (or mourning)