1. Jeff VanLone, Ph.D., Meghann Wraight-Steinmetz, Ph.D. Sheila Singh, Ph.D., & Brian Mistler, Ph.D. The Center for Counseling and Student Wellness Hobart and William Smith Colleges

2. 1. Research supporting group efficacy 2. Conceptual/philosophical framework 3. Creating a culture for group success 4. Steps to forming, filling, and maintaining 5. Questions and time for discussion

3.  Findings from the outcome research…  Group benefits unique to the college student Developmental tasks Attachment theory  Most efficacious therapeutic factors!!!  When is group the BEST treatment modality?  When is individual the better modality?  Retention and student engagement

4.  Culture that values group  Group structure & exclusion criteria  Cohesiveness/connectedness  Interpersonal learning  Here-and-now experience  Learning/insight with generalizability  Feedback versus contact  Content, self-reflection & interpretation  Group/individual interventions Workable Difference Convergence Transtheoretical co-facilitation (e.g., interpersonal, person-centered, gestalt, CBT)

5.  Personnel –training, experience, hiring  “You gotta believe” – Tug McGraw  Promoting group as a primary modality  Valuing and rewarding group work  Group space  The “Hard Sale”  A small liberal arts college –perfect fit!  “My name is John, and I’m an alcoholic.”  Educating campus constituents  Success begets success Internal Conditions External Conditions

6.  Interpersonal process vs. theme  Internal referrals facilitate “buy-in”  Cultivate group cohesion  Exclusion criteria  Group composition  Setting the stage  Finding the best time  Structure first group  Time-unlimited option Is it really possible on a small campus?

7. Jeff VanLone, Ph.D., Meghann Wraight-Steinmetz, Ph.D. Sheila Singh, Ph.D., & Brian Mistler, Ph.D. The Center for Counseling and Student Wellness Hobart and William Smith Colleges www.hws.edu/counseling