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

2. © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Objectives in the Beginning Stage Introducing members Clarify purpose and function of the group as perceived by members, worker, and the agency Discuss the limits of confidentiality Help members feel they are a part of the group

3. © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Introducing New Members What to do about open membership? Universality Round robins Variations on round robins and other exercises Variations in group beginnings: member familiarity; previously formed groups

4. © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Defining the Purpose of the Group Construct a brief statement of purpose A positive statement about what can be accomplished Have members discuss and present their views on the purpose of the group Discuss the role of the agency Ask for feedback and refine the purpose

5. © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Involving Members Involve members in developing the purpose and goals - also in decision making Empathic sharing and responding Reach out for members feelings Encourage ventilating Commonalities Make connections

6. © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Confidentiality Member agreement Reminders about confidentiality Limits of confidentiality

7. © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Group Rules Members input into rules Common rules –Come to the group on time –Prior notice if unable to attend –Listening without interruptions –Respect for others communications –Be sincere, honest, cooperative, and trustworthy

8. © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Guiding the Development of the Group Helping members to feel a part of the group Agenda in treatment groups – written and unwritten Agendas in task group

9. © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Typical Task Group Agenda Approval of minutes Call for new agenda items Announcements Reports from standing and ad hoc committees and administrative officers Work on current business New agenda items

10. © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Task and Socio-Emotional Focus Keeping members on task versus how much off task banter to allow Mention goals at each meeting Create comforts (ex. comfortable chairs, good lightening, safe environment) Food and coffee

11. © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Setting Goals Factors affecting members’ goals –Assessment of their own needs –Previous attempts to accomplish goals –Environmental, social and familial demands –Motivation, capabilities, capacities –Experiences with the social agency sponsoring the group

12. © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Contracting Types of contracts –The group as a whole and the agency –The group as a whole and the worker –The worker and the group member –Two or more group members –The group as a whole and a member

13. © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Pay attention to overt and covert messages about accomplishing the group’s goals Acknowledge members’ ambivalence Help members work through ambivalence and resistance Addressing Ambivalence and Resistance

14. © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Mention the range of choices members have for participation and non- participation Help members to work with each other to recognize/deal with ambivalence & resistance Addressing Ambivalence and Resistance

15. © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Force Field Analysis Problem statement Factors increasing motivation Factors decreasing motivation Group discussion

16. © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Authentic Communication about Purposes and Goals Treat members’ suggestions with respect Link members’ communications with the group purpose – how do they fit with goals Identify relevant parts of messages with themes and issues discussed in the group Support member initiatives without necessarily endorsing the message

17. © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Promote Pro-social Behavior Point out goal-oriented comments and actions Praise and reward pro-social comments Act as a model by using problem solving and coping skills that are pro-social Identify and challenge antisocial or criminal comments or behaviors

18. © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Working with Involuntary Clients Allow member to ventilate for a short period Talk about stages of readiness for change Acknowledge resistance Develop discrepancies between member’s current behavior and their long-term goals

19. © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Working with Involuntary Clients Maximize choice and minimize demands Enlist support of family and friends Emphasize external incentives Recognize accomplishments and resiliency

20. © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved An Introduction to Group Work Practice, 7e Toseland and Rivas Anticipate Obstacles Encourage time-projection exercises Discuss future realistic goals Have members discuss short and long term obstacles to change Bring up obstacles not mentioned Identify “hidden” obstacles