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Group counseling

By
M.Darushana
T.Kavthami
M.Komalavalli
T.Siva Letchumi
Group Counseling
WHAT IS A GROUP? The group is a place where you can
experiment with different ways of behaving. You may want
to try talking more, or being quieter than usual. You may
find yourself disagreeing with people in the group on
certain points and feel your opinions become more clearly
defined. As you listen to other people's experiences, you
will have a chance to compare them with your own. You
will probably find that conversations you take part in
during the group will help to enrich your friendships
outside.
GROUP COUNSELLING :

GROUP COUNSELLING Group counseling is a form of


therapy, which posits that people benefit from shared
experiences. Usually group counseling is focused on a
particular issue, for example anger management. While a
therapist usually manages group counseling, contributions
from other members in the group are considered valuable
since all in the group share similar issues.
One of the main principals behind group counseling is the idea that
dealing with specific issues may cause isolation, and a feeling that
one is alone in facing ones problems. Group counseling attempts to
counteract this isolation by assembling people with similar issues to
enforce that difficulties are not singular to one person. Additionally,
knowing other people with similar troubles can be comforting to each
individual, who may not have access in their own family and friends
to people with the same problem.
Examples Some forms of group counseling take place in psychiatric
hospitals. The success of such therapy often depends upon the
diversity of peoples conditions. Other group counseling is more like
Drug Addicts meetings and may not be counselor directed, but may
merely be a group of people meeting to help find their way out of
addiction. Cont:
Learning About Yourself:

A counseling group consists of between five and eight


people, supported by a facilitator. Members meet together
regularly to learn more about themselves and how they
relate to others. Self learning and Experimenting: Group
counseling is an invaluable tool for self-learning and
experimenting with different ways of behaving. If you have
never dared to show a certain side of yourself before, this
may be the place to start.
Sharing Experiences:

Group counseling is a form of therapy, which posits that


people benefit from shared experiences. Usually group
counseling is focused on a particular issue, for example
obsessive-compulsive disorder or anger management.
While a therapist usually manages group counseling,
contributions from other members in the group are
considered valuable since all in the group share similar
issues.
ADVANTAGES OF GROUP COUNSELLING :
1. Providing Unique Environment: Group counseling can offer a unique environment in which to learn about and
experience both self and others. We all live in groups for much of our lives and working together with others in a
group can provide valuable insights into characteristic patterns of thinking and relating in a group setting.

2. Exploring the Issues in Depth: The group experience gives individuals an opportunity to explore their issues in
more depth, in a setting which more closely resembles work, study, social and family groupings

3. Avoiding Isolation and Loneliness: One of the main principals behind group counseling is the idea that dealing
with specific issues may cause isolation, and a feeling that one is alone in facing ones problems. Group counseling
attempts to counteract this isolation by assembling people with similar issues to enforce that difficulties are not
singular to one person. Additionally, knowing other people with similar troubles can be comforting to each individual,
who may not have access in their own family and friends to people with the same problem.
4. Highly Organized: Group counseling may be highly organized, with people doing specific activities
together and then sharing the results. Alternately, it may be more freeform, where people share current
issues related to the groups purpose. One persons verbal contributions to a group might be discussed,
validated, and provoke problem solving by other group members in a session. It might also be an entry
into a discussion regarding a certain aspect of an illness or condition that is then primarily led by the
therapist.

5. Group Counseling Costs Less : Some people find the group counseling experience a better
alternative than private therapy because it tends to cost less. Frequently group counseling is covered
by insurance, and many groups offer sliding scale fees for those without insurance.

6. Help Others and Being Helped: Provides the opportunity to help others as well as being helped.

7. Feeling of Empowerment Gives the feeling of empowerment It helps build confidence and self-esteem
so that you may feel more in control of your life.
8. Improvement By Sensitivity and Insight: Group members improve from the sensitivity and insight of
the Counselor.

9. Promoting Growth and Change: Group members provide different perspectives which are often
helpful in promoting growth and change.
DISADVANTAGES OF GROUP COUNSELLING:

1. Too Large Groups Suffers: Not all group counseling efforts are
completely successful .Occasionally, group therapy suffers if a group
is too large or small Usually group counseling works best when an
experienced counselor can redirect a person who is sharing too
much, and allow equal time for people to share their ideas, problems
or opinions.

2. Monopolizing the Group : Group therapy may also become


problematic when one person appears to monopolize the group.
People may vary in their need for therapy, and generally those who
monopolize a group should not be despised but should be redirected
to private counseling, where the person is the sole focus of attention.
After some time in private sessions, a person may feel less need to
monopolize a group counseling session.
The roles of counselor as facilitator in
group counseling
Decision to establish a group
Determine setting and size of the group
Choose frequency and length of the group sessions
Decide on open vs. closed groups
Select a co-therapist for the group
Formulate policy on the group therapy with other
therapeutic modalities
Creating a therapy group
Formulate appropriate group
Select clients who can perform the group task
Prepare clients for group therapy
Construction and maintenance of the therapeutic
environment
Build the culture of the group explicitly and implicitly
Identify and resolve common problems (e.g., membership
turn over, sub-grouping, conflict)
Being aware of individual group members
Directing the focus of the group.
Tasks for the Therapist at the Beginning
Gladding. G.T. (2003) Group Work: A Counselling Speciality (4th ed.).New Jersey:
Prentice Hall.
Source: www.mentalhealthacademy.com.au
Group Dynamics & Counseling

What is a Group Process? It is the study of group


interaction through extensive personal growth experience.
A group may exist whenever two or more persons show
some kind of interdependent relationship with one
another. Group dynamics refers to forces that result from
the interaction of group members.

(Toseland, R. W. and Rivas, Robert, 2001).


What is Group Therapy?

Group therapy is a powerful tool for growth and change. The


power in group therapy lies in the unique opportunity to
receive multiple perspectives, support, encouragement, and
feedback from other individuals in safe and confidential
environment.
These interpersonal interactions can provide group
members an opportunity to deepen their level of self-
awareness and to learn how they relate to others. Group
therapy can be a safe and supportive place to experiment
with new ideas and ways of being.
Group therapy can help you:
Discover that you're not alone in your struggles, thoughts,
and feelings
Learn from other students facing similar problems
Gain multiple perspectives on your concerns
Feel more connected to others as group cohesion develops
Become more aware of yourself through genuine feedback
from others
Pick up new interpersonal skills that you can use in your
daily life
Develop effective ways of building and maintaining
relationships
Group goals theory which holds that an individual joins a
group because apart from enjoying its activities, he also
values its goals and purposes.

Through group dynamics, people learn about themselves


and others. When people see how similar they are in their
weaknesses, it becomes easy for them to trust and
therefore to communicate. Group Dynamics then is the
fastest and least painful way of bringing about real changes
in a community.
Stages/ process of group councelling

Effective group counseling leaders recognize that groups


go through five stages: dependency, conflict, cohesion,
interdependence, and termination. The stages are often
called "forming, storming, norming, performing, and
adjourning (Tuckman & Jensen, 1977)
1st stage

The first group stage is "dependency" or forming.


At this time, group members are unsure of themselves
and look to their leaders or others for direction.
This process gives members an opportunity to explore
who they are in the group and to begin establishing trust.
2nd stage

The second stage in group counseling is "conflict," or


storming.
It may be overt or covert.
The type and amount of conflict that is generated relates
to how much jockeying for position goes on in the group.
3rd stage

Stage three focuses on "cohesion," or norming, which can


be defined as a spirit of "we-ness.
In it, members become closer psychologically and are
more relaxed.
Everyone feels included in the group and productive
sharing begins to occur.
4th stage

In the fourth stage, performing, the main work of the


group is begun.
Interdependence develops.
Group members are able to assume a wide variety of
constructive roles and work on personal issues.
The level of comfort in the group increases too.
This is a prime time of problem solving.
5th stage

The final stage, adjourning deals with termination.


Issues of loss in separating from the group are raised.
Celebrating the accomplishment of goals is also a primary
focus within this stage.

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