Groups are known for those very distinctive personalities. I believe it's safe to say that we all recognize these particular gems. Strategies for dealing with these individuals follows.
The member who always speak first, AKA The Excessive Talker (ET)
To encourage someone else to speak first, use your eye contact. Start with eye contact with the excessive talker, and sweep around and end the question with the ET completely out of your field of vision. This isn't guaranteed to work, but when the ET is not in your field of sight at all, it will appear you're not posing the question to them. Begin looking at them to avoid appearing rude.
The member who tells the same stories or shares the same problems over and over, AKA The Broken Record
Disengage eye contact and hope for the ‘wind down’. When the member lacks eye contact they usually realize it's time to move on. If this happens so much it's disruptive or the eye contact isn't working, scan the group. If everyone has checked out it’s time to be frank. "Cara, have you noticed that our attention is waning? This is probably because we’ve heard this story before. What can we do to help you?"
The Quiet Member
It's best to draw out quiet members as soon as possible, sometimes even in the first session. The longer a member waits to participate the harder it will become. If they seem to be agreeing quietly or deep in thought, the following are appropriate ways to gently prompt participation:
"Donna, you seem to be agreeing with what Will said. Would you like to tell us a little about what you’re thinking?”
“Caleb, you look like you’re thinking about something. Would you share with us?”
You can also pose a general question while looking directly at the member. The member can chose to accept the eye contact as an invitation to speak, or ignore it. Although it is awkward to ignore a question that appears to be posed directly at you even if it is phrased as a question for everyone.
Dyads are also helpful because when two people pair up to speak, it's usually impossible for the member to not speak with their partner. This also helps the shy member meet other members and feel more comfortable.
Adapted (very loosely) from:
Jacobs, E., Masson, R., & Harvill, R. Group counseling strategies and skills. (5th ed.) Belmont: Thomson.
Showing posts with label groups. Show all posts
Showing posts with label groups. Show all posts
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Group Work
The following are types of groups and a brief description of them.
Education Group
In an education group, the facilitator's main goal is to provide information. Some discussion is appropriate. Examples include youth learning study skills and dialysis patients learning about transplant.
Discussion Group
In a discussion group, the participants discuss topics and not their personal issues. The facilitator is just the person in charge and not necessarily an expert. An example would be a book club.
Task Group
A task group is a group that forms in order to accomplish a task. When the task is completed, the group is dissolved. Examples include students working on a group project, or a committee planning an event.
Growth or Experiential Groups
This type of group's task is to grow as individuals. Examples include spiritual encounter retreats, and physical challenge retreats.
Counseling Groups
Counseling groups are typically for individuals who are experiencing life challenges such as divorce, making friends, life changes, etc. The facilitator may guide the group on topics and tease out details of an individuals situation. The group members are encouraged to help each other.
Therapy Groups
Therapy groups are typically for individuals with problems that are more severe than those in counseling groups. There are many techniques for group therapy and they may look radically different from each other. Examples include groups for women who have been assaulted, individuals in residential addiction rehabilitation, and people with anxiety.
Support Groups
A support group is a group where the members have something in common and meet regularly to support each other. Support groups allow members to realize there are people with the same struggles they have. Members should talk to each other and the facilitator role should be minimal. Examples include groups for people living with a specific illness, parents who have lost children, or people who experienced a common event (such a school shooting).
Self Help Groups
Self help groups do not have social workers are their leaders; they are lead by one of the participants. They typically follow the AA model.
Adapted from:
Jacobs, E., Masson, R., & Harvill, R. Group counseling strategies and skills (5th ed.) Belmont: Thomson.
Education Group
In an education group, the facilitator's main goal is to provide information. Some discussion is appropriate. Examples include youth learning study skills and dialysis patients learning about transplant.
Discussion Group
In a discussion group, the participants discuss topics and not their personal issues. The facilitator is just the person in charge and not necessarily an expert. An example would be a book club.
Task Group
A task group is a group that forms in order to accomplish a task. When the task is completed, the group is dissolved. Examples include students working on a group project, or a committee planning an event.
Growth or Experiential Groups
This type of group's task is to grow as individuals. Examples include spiritual encounter retreats, and physical challenge retreats.
Counseling Groups
Counseling groups are typically for individuals who are experiencing life challenges such as divorce, making friends, life changes, etc. The facilitator may guide the group on topics and tease out details of an individuals situation. The group members are encouraged to help each other.
Therapy Groups
Therapy groups are typically for individuals with problems that are more severe than those in counseling groups. There are many techniques for group therapy and they may look radically different from each other. Examples include groups for women who have been assaulted, individuals in residential addiction rehabilitation, and people with anxiety.
Support Groups
A support group is a group where the members have something in common and meet regularly to support each other. Support groups allow members to realize there are people with the same struggles they have. Members should talk to each other and the facilitator role should be minimal. Examples include groups for people living with a specific illness, parents who have lost children, or people who experienced a common event (such a school shooting).
Self Help Groups
Self help groups do not have social workers are their leaders; they are lead by one of the participants. They typically follow the AA model.
Adapted from:
Jacobs, E., Masson, R., & Harvill, R. Group counseling strategies and skills (5th ed.) Belmont: Thomson.
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