Group Facilitation

Bethany Weinstein, LMSW

PRN Social Worker

Objectives:

To define the purpose of a support group. To list the different phases of group interactions. To describe different personality types in group

members. To identify different problems that might occur in a

group setting. To discuss different methods for group cohesion.

What is a support group?

A group of individuals, all sharing a certain problem or concern, who meet on a regular basis to exchange mutual support and discuss how they are dealing with their problems.

It is the affective sharing of one’s inner world and then the acceptance by others that is of paramount importance.

What can a support group offer?

Emotional support

Decrease in isolation

Practical advice

Friendship

Hope

Problem solve

Licensure information

Sense of belonging

Identity

Self esteem

Stress reduction

Checks and balances

Expand awareness

Networking

Stages of Group Development

1. Forming

2. Storming

3. Norming

4. Performing

5. Adjourning

***All stages of group development are necessary, and inevitable in order for members to

cohesively grow***

The Forming Stage

In this stage, the group comes together and get to initially know one another and form as a group.

The group learns about the opportunities and challenges that can be gained.

Goals are agreed upon and standards are set.

The Forming Stage - Characteristics

Good behavior Eagerness Anxiety Dependence

The Storming Stage

In this stage, the group addresses issues such as what problems they want to focus on, how they will function independently and together.

Group members will begin to open up and confront each other’s ideas and perspectives.

The Storming Stage - Characteristics

Confrontation Acting out Avoidance Immaturity Fear Conflict

The Storming Stage – Problems

Location of meetings Attendance drops Meeting topics New members Personality types

Silent member Monopolizer Boring member Help rejecter Harmful member

The Storming Stage – Problems

Location of meetings

People complain that meeting locations are too far to drive to monthly.

Solutions: Have the group vote on a

mutually acceptable place for the majority of the group.

Different members host the meeting at their place.

The Storming Stage – Problems

Attendance drops

Tardiness and poor attendance is a sign of resistance to opening up to the group. It’s also bad for group moral because it can become contagious.

Solutions: Try to search out the source of the

resistance (individual or the entire group) and address it.

Gain pressure from the group.

The Storming Stage – Problems

Meeting topics

Creating a topic monthly can be challenging and should NOT be the sole responsibility of the coordinator.

Solutions: Have the group members rotate on

who will provide the topic that month.

Pick topics from the Big Book, the Steps, and tools from treatment centers.

The Storming Stage – Problems

New members

Resistant new members can negatively affect the group.

Solutions: Make an effort to reach

out to new members.

Allow new members time to integrate, but, if the group becomes affected, have the group address their behavior.

The Storming Stage – Problems

The “Silent Member”

This member generally sits in group and doesn’t participate in meetings.

Solutions: Checking in with each member at the

start of the meeting can alleviate shyness.

Encourage other members to share their perceptions of the silent patient.

The Storming Stage – Problems

The “Monopolist”

This member tends to be the center of attention, chatters incessantly, and rushes to fill the silence.

Solutions:

Ask the group why they allow one member to carry the entire meeting.

Work with the monopolistic member to identify when they’re monopolizing the conversation.

The Storming Stage – Problems

The “Boring Member”

This member tends to inhibited, socially awkward, predictable, and never has anything to say.

Solutions:

Ask the group What makes the person boring and how can I find the exciting person hiding within.

Attempt to identify their creative and active side.

The Storming Stage – Problems

The “Help-Rejecter”

This member Implicitly or explicitly requests help from group (presents complaint or problems), but rejects all suggestions the group makes.

Solutions:

Stop giving advice.

Express that you “not only understand, but you share the feelings of hopelessness.”

The Storming Stage – Problems

The “Harmful Member”

This member disregards groups norms and is disruptive at meetings. This person may show up to meetings impaired, breaks confidentiality, or is hostile to group members.

Solutions:

Let PRN staff know of this disruption.

Privately, this person must be asked to not attend the group in the future.

The Norming Stage

o In this stage, members are now resolving differences and clarifying the purpose of the group.

o Members have learned more about each other and feel less threatened.

o Rules have been established and trust in the group has occurred.

The Norming Stage - Characteristics

o Cohesiono Problem-solvingo Responsibilityo Mutual respecto Trust

The Performing Stage

In this stage, members are able to support each other as a solid unit without inappropriate conflict.

Individual members have become self-assuring, and the need for group approval is past.

The main task of the group becomes genuine problem-solving, leading toward optimal solutions, and optimum group development.

The Performing Stage - Characteristics

Teamwork Interdependence Self-assurance Unity Loyalty Group

assessment

The Adjourning Stage

In this stage, members may “graduate” the program or choose to leave for other reasons.

Group members who graduate from the program are always welcome to continue to attend regional meetings.

The Adjourning Stage - Characteristics

Happiness Sense of loss Recognition Apprehension

What group stage are you in?

Determine what stage your group is in.

Discuss the different challenges you’ve confronted in your group, and how they were resolved.

Objectives:

To define the purpose of a support group. To list the different phases of group interactions. To describe different personality types in group

members. To identify different problems that might occur in a

group setting. To discuss different methods for group cohesion.

The End!!!

Have a nice evening.

Enjoy the seminar.