© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Chapter 13 Ending the Group’s Work 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 Factors that Influence Group Endings Open and closed membership policy The cohesion of the group Whether the group is a treatment of task group Educational and socialization groups versus other forms of treatment groups

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Planned and Unplanned Termination Member termination –Early terminations versus later terminations –Fewer terminations in group than individual work Group cohesion and not wanting to let down other group members

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Factors Leading to Termination External factors such as scheduling conflicts Group deviancy such as being the only member with an uncontrolled psychoses Problems in developing intimate relationships Fear of emotional contagion

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Factors Leading to Termination Inability to share the workers’ time Complications arising from concurrent individual and group therapy Early deep self-disclosures Severe acting-out behaviors Inadequate orientation to therapy Complications arising from strong subgroups

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Worker Termination Steps to Reduce Disruption –Members should be told as early as possible when termination will occur –The reasons for termination should be shared with the group; encouraged to discuss their feelings –Unfinished business should be completed if possible

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Ending Group Meetings Keep members focused on the topic of discussion Limit the time that each member has to discuss an issue Summarize what has been said Obtain closure on each issue as it is discussed Do not bring up new items

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Ending the Group as a Whole Learning from group members Maintaining and generalizing changes Reducing group attraction and promoting independent functioning Help members deal with feelings about ending Planning for the future Making referrals

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Maintaining and Generalizing Changes Helping members work on relevant situations Help members develop confidence in their abilities Using a variety of different situations and settings to help members learn new behaviors Using a variety of naturally occurring consequences

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Maintaining and Generalizing Changes Extending treatment through follow-up sessions Preventing setbacks by practicing difficult situations and how to overcome obstacles Helping members to solve problems independently; problem solving framework

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Program Activities for Ending Demonstrate and encourage reflection about skills members have learned in the group Encourage members to express their feelings about the group and each other Focus on future activities Encourage activities outside the group Write letters to self encouraging change

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Positive Feelings about Endings Feelings of empowerment and potency –Members realize they are capable of accomplishing their goals A feeling of independence resulting from greater control of their lives

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Positive Feelings about Endings A sense of satisfaction and pride in successfully completing the group experience A feeling of usefulness from helping others A feeling of confidence and resiliency that problems can be coped with and solved

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Negative Feelings About Termination Denial that the group will end or not wanting it to end Feelings of disappointment, powerlessness, abandonment or rejection Acting out Anger or hostility Devaluing the group experience

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Worker Reactions to Termination Pride and accomplishment in the client’s success Pride in therapeutic skills A renewed sense of therapeutic process Sadness, sense of loss, or ambivalence about no longer working with the client

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Worker Reactions to Termination Doubt or disappointment about the members’ progress or ability to function independently A re-experiencing of workers’ own losses Relief, doubt or guilt about their effectiveness as a helper

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Planning for the Future Contracting for new short-term groups Transitioning to another level of care Members asking to meet on their own – does not often continue for long without a leader Self-help referrals Tapping support systems and resources Using booster sessions

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Referral Principles Call the contact person while the member is with the leader Emphasize that the member is expected at the referral source Provide instructions for getting to the referral source

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Referral Principles Assist with transportation if necessary Ensure that disabilities do not prevent a successful referral Ensure the member reached the referral source and received the needed services

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Failure of Referrals The referral source has had a change in policy or no longer has the service The member –Lacks motivation or desire –Lacks the skill necessary to obtain needed services –Has been given incorrect information/not enough help by the worker to reach the referral source