group facilitation
TRANSCRIPT
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 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 – 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.
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.