© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Chapter 1 Introduction Slides developed by Ronald W. Toseland State University of New York at Albany

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Focus of Group Work A generalist approach Evidenced based practice – whenever possible Focus on individual group members, the group as a whole, and the group’s environment

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Focus of Group Work Application of foundation knowledge and skills to a broad range of leadership and membership situations Integration and use of specialized knowledge and skills based on assessment

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Focus of Group Work A recognition of the interactional and situational nature of leadership All groups are not led in the same way Process approaches versus structured psychoeducational approaches

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Values Values are beliefs that delineate preferences about how one ought to behave

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Values Judeo-Christian values Democratic values The Puritan ethic Social Darwinism

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Group Work Values Participation of and positive relations in the group among diverse populations Cooperation and mutual decision making embodied in the principles of a participatory democracy

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Group Work Values Individual initiative within the group Freedom to participate The right to be involved in the decision making of the group High individualization so that each member’s unique concerns are addressed

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Four Key Values Respect and dignity - for the worth of all group members Solidarity and mutual aid

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Four Key Values Empowerment Understanding, respect, and camaraderie

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Ethical Principles Screening group members Helping members to develop and pursue therapeutic goals Confidentiality Protecting group members

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Ethical Principles Members treated fairly and equitably Workers avoid exploiting members for their own personal gain Appropriate referrals when needs can’t be met in the group Ongoing assessment, evaluation and follow-up

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Definition of Group Work Goal-directed activity with small treatment and task groups aimed at meeting socioemotional and task needs Activity directed at individual members, and the group as a whole within a system of service delivery

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Classifying Groups Formed versus natural groups Focus on formed groups although some principles may apply to natural groups Examples of natural groups Examples of formed groups

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Treatment and Task Groups Treatment groups – a focus on meeting members’ needs Task groups – a focus on task accomplishment that may or may not help members of the group but that primarily focus on those outside the group

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Group Versus Individual Work Advantages of treatment groups Disadvantages of treatment groups Advantages of task groups Disadvantages of task groups

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Typology of Treatment Groups Support Education Growth Therapy Socialization Self-help

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Typology of Task Groups Task groups to meet client needs –Teams –Treatment Conferences –Staff Development Groups

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Typology of Task Groups Task groups to Meet Organizational Needs –Committees –Cabinets –Board of Directors

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Typology of Task Groups Task groups to meet community needs –Social Action Groups –Coalitions –Delegate Councils