1. Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Chapter 7 Focus ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

2. Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. The Importance of the Focus At any given moment the focus of the group is either on a person, a topic, or an activity. The leader should always be aware of the focus and the depth of the focus. Knowing how to establish, hold, shift, and deepen the focus is absolutely essential for good leadership. ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

3. Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Establishing the Focus Directing the Focus Through Comments –“Let’s focus on specifically anger at home.” –“For now, let’s look at ways you’re coping with your grief.” Using Activities to Establish the Focus –Use whiteboard, make lists, handouts –Use props, chairs, small chair Using Rounds and Dyads ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

4. Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Holding the Focus Know When to Hold the Focus –On a Topic –On a Person Know How Long to Hold the Focus Know Techniques to Hold the Focus ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

5. Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Shifting the Focus When to Shift the Focus when too long on one person when people are getting bored when you need to cover additional topics Ways to shift the focus Ways to shift the focus –Shift from a Topic to a Person –Shift from One Topic to Another Topic –Shift from a Topic to an Exercise –Shift from One Person to Another Person –Shift from A Person to a Topic –Shift from a Person to an Exercise ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

6. Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Deepening the Focus The key to most growth, counseling, and therapy groups is deepening the focus. A leader deepens the focus by: –Asking very thought-provoking questions –Asking members to share more personally –Working with a member intensely –Conducting an intense exercise –Confronting members about dynamics ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

7. Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. The Depth Chart The chart in the next slide is a way to visualize the depth of the group 10 is surface comments 10 is surface comments 7 is going deeper 7 is going deeper 1 would be very intense work 1 would be very intense work Beginning leaders often conduct groups that go 10,9,8,10,9,8,etc. and never go very deep. Your goal is to go below 7. ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

8. Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Most sessions should go below 7 10 9 8 7___________________________________ 6 impact 5 4 3 2 1 THE DEPTH CHART ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

9. Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Considerations Regarding Focus When to Deepen the Focus –Make sure members are ready –Make sure you have enough time How Deep to Focus –Always consider purpose of the group –Always consider your expertise ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

10. Copyright © 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc. Key Point Knowing how to get, hold, shift, and deepen the focus is the key to group leading. ©2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.