Chapter 9: Group Facilitation Dr. Allan Barsky “Conflict Resolution for the Helping Professions”

Agenda Group Types Group Stages Challenges to Group Process Group Facilitation Skills and Activities Approaches to Facilitation Allan Barsky - Ch.9: Group Facilitation 11/16/2018

Group Facilitation Helping 2 or more people communicate more effectively Making communication “facile” Helping group members: Think together Discuss difficult issues Make decisions Assign tasks Ensure decisions implemented and evaluated Not necessarily to resolve conflict, a mediator is a type of faciitator… Allan Barsky - Ch.9: Group Facilitation 11/16/2018

Types of Groups Psycho-educational Task Therapeutic Counseling Allan Barsky - Ch.9: Group Facilitation 11/16/2018

Group type: examples Ten clients dealing with underlying causes of PTSD (trauma) Seventy probation clients practicing anger management strategies. Five elders learning how to prevent falls and hip injuries Sixty health professionals reviewing and updating hospital policies Which type of group is represented by each example? Allan Barsky - Ch.9: Group Facilitation 11/16/2018

Group Stages Forming Norming Storming Performing Adjourning Allan Barsky - Ch.9: Group Facilitation 11/16/2018

Consider an “Alcoholics Recovery Group.” What types of conflict may arise at each stage? What roles could the facilitator play? Allan Barsky - Ch.9: Group Facilitation 11/16/2018

Challenges to Group Process - 1 No Focus Domination Interruptions Different Agendas Silence What are the possible causes? What strategies could be used? Allan Barsky - Ch.9: Group Facilitation 11/16/2018

Challenges to Group Process - 2 Confusion about Decisions Difficulty Listening to Others Others Put on Defensive Not Saying What They Think Lost Attention What are the possible causes? What strategies could be used? Allan Barsky - Ch.9: Group Facilitation 11/16/2018

Group Skills & Activities: Preparation for meeting Assesses concerns Invites and encourages attendance Obtains agreement on agenda Establishes guidelines for porcess Clarifies roles Helps members prepare Identifies issues that may arise Allan Barsky - Ch.9: Group Facilitation 11/16/2018

Group Skills & Activities: During meeting Focusing Punctuating Confronting constructively Establishes decision making norms Reflective listening Audiovisual aids Pacing Pre-empts distractions… Allan Barsky - Ch.9: Group Facilitation 11/16/2018

Approaches to Facilitation: Debate Purpose Structure Examples Advantages Disadvantages Allan Barsky - Ch.9: Group Facilitation 11/16/2018

Approaches to Facilitation: Dialogue Fosters: Understanding Cooperation Positive relationships Safe time and place Openness to difference Deep reflection Creativity Shared meaning Allan Barsky - Ch.9: Group Facilitation 11/16/2018

Dialogue & Civility Language Tone Listening OK to disagree Demonstrate Respect Language Tone Listening OK to disagree Allan Barsky - Ch.9: Group Facilitation 11/16/2018

Approaches to Facilitation: Problem Solving Engage Identify problem for work Gather information Analyze & discuss Make decision Plan implement decision Monitor Evaluate Follow Up Allan Barsky - Ch.9: Group Facilitation 11/16/2018

Approaches to Facilitation: Identity How we identify ourselves Socially constructed Ethnocentric lens In & out groups Protracted conflict May appear as if the dispute is over money, land, power, values Allan Barsky - Ch.9: Group Facilitation 11/16/2018

We don't see things as they are. We see them as we are. ~ Anaïs Nin Which one of these men is in a gang? Which one fits the stereotype of an African American man? According to..? Allan Barsky - Ch.9: Group Facilitation 11/16/2018

Identity Exercise Identity: Aspects of ourselves that we hold dear. Write down 3 characteristics about yourself that you strongly relate to 1 example of a behavior showing you acted the way you see yourself 1 example showing you have also behaved in ways opposite of each of your identified characteristics Allan Barsky - Ch.9: Group Facilitation 11/16/2018

Identity-Based CR Contact theory – bringing groups together, strategically Interactions designed to help re-evaluate perceptions How each group sees itself as victim, and other as perpetrator Groups act as mirror Challenge stereotypes, generalizations, assumptions, and self-perceptions Reduce assumptions and fear Foster empathy, shared understanding, and comon ground Allan Barsky - Ch.9: Group Facilitation 11/16/2018

Identity-Based CR: Strategies Opening discussion of each group’s views for purposes of listening and building empathy Acknowledging differences rather than ignoring or minimizing them. Framing issues to allow both groups to engage openly in discussion. Helping members move from individualistic questions (e.g., who am I, what is important to me, what do I want to see happen) to mutualized questions (e.g., who are we, what do we care about, and what do we want to see happen) Allan Barsky - Ch.9: Group Facilitation 11/16/2018

Discussion Questions 1. Assessing Conflict 2. Staged Conflict 5. Oppressed Witches 6. Lobby Group Conflict 8. Confidentiality 9. Dying Wishes Allan Barsky - Ch.9: Group Facilitation 11/16/2018

Role-Play 9.1: Paraprofessionals & Professionals Conflict: Professionals vs. Paraprofessionals Context: Social Agency Issues - salaries, jobs, caseloads, status Assumptions, stereotypes Debate? Dialogue? Problem solving? Identity-based process? Allan Barsky - Ch.9: Group Facilitation 11/16/2018

Role-Play 9.3: Clients and Staff Conflictia Group Home Staff vs. Teens Breakdown in collective bargaining Work to rule Teens upset: no recreational activities, more chores, skimpy meals, early curfews… Teens acting out Allan Barsky - Ch.9: Group Facilitation 11/16/2018

Major Assignment 9A: Process analysis of a Real Conflict Intro – describe who (people & roles), what, where, when, why Conflicts – nature of disputes, process used, skills attempted Challenges Alternatives References Allan Barsky - Ch.9: Group Facilitation 11/16/2018