Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Chapter 14 Counseling and Therapy in Groups ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Goals of Therapy Groups Process Goals--goals related to group dynamics Outcome Goals--goals related to changes in individual members ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Parameters in Setting up Therapy Groups Determining Group Size Screening Members –referrals from other counselors –written screening -- personal interviews Scheduling group meetings ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. The Leader’s Role and Responsibilities Knowing the subject or topic Providing the right atmosphere Directing the focus Being aware of individual members Watching the clock Apportioning “air time” ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. The Process of Therapy in a Group Getting, Holding, and Deepening the Focus Obtaining a Contract Using Theory ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Techniques for Conducting Therapy in Groups Techniques for Engaging Members –Members ask questions –Members guess what the problem is –Members role-play with the working member Use of the Therapeutic Round –In-depth stationary round –In-depth movement round Spinning off ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Involve the Members When working with one member, involve the others. Too often, leaders just conduct individual counseling and do not take advantage of all the possible ways to involve the members. ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Techniques for Helping More Than One Member at the Same Time Identify common issues Work briefly with one member while second member listens Working members participate in an in- depth round or sentence completion Other members dispute or give feedback ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Technique for Working with Individuals Indirectly Generating topics relevant to a particular member Working with a member while aware other members share the issue and listen Use of metaphors, analogies, stories Having members tell of their success with a problem ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Therapy that Focuses on Process The shy member The dominating member The rambling member The angry member Using member feedback effectively ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. How Intense Should Therapy Be Depends on the leader’s depth of knowledge of the issue and theories Depends on the leader’s level of skill Depends on the leader’s own psychological health Depends on group’s capacity to support working member Depends on commitment of members to change ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. How Intense Should Therapy Be (CONTINUED) WARNING: Do not “unzip” (make vulnerable) members unless you know how to zip them back up! Intense group therapy requires that you have good individual counseling skills. ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Providing Therapy in a Non- Therapy Group Ask if the member wants to work on an issue Check with members to see if it is okay to deviate from the group’s purpose Limit time devoted to the working member so as to return to the main purpose Check with member about follow-up therapy ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Common Mistakes Leading Therapy Groups Attempting to conduct therapy without a contract or agreement Not involving other members—just doing one-on-one counseling while others watch. Ways to prevent this is to: –Get members to ask questions –Ask members for feedback –Ask members if they can relate to the problem ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Common Mistakes Leading Therapy Groups continued Spending too much time on one person Spending too little time on one person Focusing on an irrelevant topic Letting members rescue each other Letting session focus on advice-giving Leader’s ignorance of the issue, such as addictions, eating disorders, etc. ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.