Group Counseling PowerPoint produced by Melinda Haley, M.S., New Mexico State University. “This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: any public performance or display, including transmission of an image over a network; preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or part, of any images; any rental, lease, or lending of the program.” “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Advantages of Groups Descriptions of Effective Helpers They identify with people rather than with things. They have a capacity to cope. They are warm and accessible. They inspire confidence and trust. They are mature. They are congruent in thoughts and actions. They are high-functioning. They care deeply about others. They are compassionate. They act to remedy injustice. They are human. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Group Development Cross-Cultural Helping Compatibility of the therapist and member personalities is important especially where there are ethnic and cultural differences. Research does not show the therapist has to be of the same ethnicity or culture of the member. Multi-culturally effective therapists understand and respect the culture and ethnic differences of the members. Research shows that members prefer therapists to be of the same ethnic background. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Group Dimensions What Can Theories Do For You? Organize Information: Theories help you sort and organize the information you get from group members. Provides a Framework for Action: Theories provide a road map for the helping process. Provides Social Influence: What therapists do often works because members believe that therapists have the answers. Theories help guide the therapist: Theories give the therapist confidence that he or she is doing the right thing. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Diversity Issues in Group Counseling Listening Skills Attending: (there may be cultural variations to all of these) eye contact, distance between therapist and member, attentive posture, body movements, gestures and verbal behavior. Paraphrasing: Restating the member’s message in your own words to indicate understanding. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Ethical, Professional and Legal Issues in Groups What is the difference between ethics and law? Ethics are moral principles and ideal standards adopted by a professional organization that seeks to guide the professional behavior and conduct of its members. Ethics define what is right or correct. These concepts are dynamic and can change over time. Laws: Rules of behavior established by courts and legislatures for defining the minimum standards of individual and community conduct and behavior. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Goals Dimensions of the Helping Relationship Within the relationship the group member may feel: TrustedConfronted SafeNot judged ImportantListened to RespectedValued UnderstoodAccepted “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Leadership, Supervision, Co-Leadership Differences Between Helping Individuals and Groups With groups you have to track more people. In groups, participants get less individual attention. In groups, it is harder to keep confidentiality More skills and training are needed to be effective with groups. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Theoretical Approaches Differences Between Helping Individuals and Groups With groups you have to track more people. In groups, participants get less individual attention. In groups, it is harder to keep confidentiality More skills and training are needed to be effective with groups. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Self Help Groups Differences Between Helping Individuals and Groups With groups you have to track more people. In groups, participants get less individual attention. In groups, it is harder to keep confidentiality More skills and training are needed to be effective with groups. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Assessment/Diagnosis Differences Between Helping Individuals and Groups With groups you have to track more people. In groups, participants get less individual attention. In groups, it is harder to keep confidentiality More skills and training are needed to be effective with groups. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Group Counseling Resources Gazda, G. M., Ginter, E. J. & Horne, A. M. (2001). Group counseling and group psychotherapy: Theory and application. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Greenberg, K. R. (2003). Group counseling in K-12 schools: A handbook for school counselors. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Kottler, J. A. (2001). Learning group leadership: An experiential approach. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”