Prepared by: Nathaniel N. Ivers, Wake Forest University Chapter 7 Closing a Group Prepared by: Nathaniel N. Ivers, Wake Forest University

Roadmap How to prepare and close a group The effects on individuals of ending a group The Premature Closing of a Group Specific ways of closing a group Problems in the closing a group Follow-up Sessions

Preparing to Close a Group Proper preparation for ending a group begins at the planning stage. To ensure proper group procedures from start to end, leaders must establish appropriate boundaries.

Preparing to Close a Group Closing occurs on two levels in a group: At the end of each session At the end of a certain number of group sessions At orientation, the subject of closing is raised In closing a group session, a leader should inform members that the group is ending about 5 to 30 minutes before its conclusion. In ending a total group experience, the orientation to closing involves a planned number of sessions that are devoted to the topic of termination.

Effects on Individuals of Ending a Group Ending a group has an impact on individuals. “If handled appropriately, the process of termination can be an important role in helping individuals develop new behaviors” (Hansen et al., 1980, p. 539). The range of feelings among individual group members can be very wide. Some engage in farewell-party syndrome to avoid the pain of closure (Shulman, 2012).

Effects on Individuals of Ending a Group Options for people who need more help after termination: Individual counseling Referral to another group or organization Recycling through a similar group experience

Premature Closing of a Group Premature termination can occur for the following reasons: Individuals quit the group abruptly. A group experience ends suddenly because of actions by the group leader ASGW (2007) has provided guidelines to follow in premature ending situations.

Premature Closing of the Group as a Whole Leaders must do one of the following: Have at least one group session to say good-bye to the group as a whole Contact group members directly

Premature Closing Initiated by Group Members Some reasons for which group members prematurely terminate group sessions: External factors Group deviancy Problems of intimacy Fear of emotional contagion

Reasons for Premature Ending (Cont.) Inability to share the doctor (group leader) Complications of concurrent individual and group therapy Early provocateurs Inadequate orientation to therapy Complications arising from subgrouping

Preventing Premature Closing Steps to reduce the potential for premature ending: Start and end groups on time. Help members make commitments to attend a number of sessions. Treat members in a personal and professional way. Communicate clearly and concisely about individual and group issues Send members reminders if there are long intervals between group sessions (Young, 2013).

Closing of Group Sessions Member Summarization Leader Summarization Rounds Dyads Scaling Activities Written Reactions Rating Sheets Homework

Capping Skills in Closings Reviewing and summarizing the group experience Assessing members’ growth, change (or achievement) Finishing business Applying change to everyday life (implementing decisions) Providing feedback Handling good-byes Planning for continued problem resolution (Jacobs et al., 2012, p. 382)

Problems in Closing of Groups Denial Transference Countertransference

Follow-Up Sessions Procedure of reconnecting with group members after they have had enough time to process what they experienced in the group and work on their goals or objectives Beneficial to members and to leaders in evaluating the experience they had in the group and reflecting on what they learned.