CH 7-12

Direct method for calling out members

The most direct method of drawing out members is to ask them if they would like to comment or if they have any reactions to what is taking place.

exercise

The term exercise is used among group leaders to refer to an activity that the group does for a specific purpose. An exercise can be as simple as having members get into dyads to discuss a topic or as involved as the "blind trust walk", which entails one member leading around a blindfolded member.

reasons to use exercise

There are at least seven reasons for using exercises in a group: 1. To increase the comfort level 2. To provide the leader with useful information 3. To generate discussion and focus the group 4. To shift the focus 5. To deepen the focus 6. To provide an opportunity for experiential learning 7. To provide fun and relaxation

Shifting the Focus

This occurs when leaders consciously decide that there is a need for a change in the group. The shift can go from a topic to a person, from an activity to a topic, etc.

Use of voice when cutting off

Voice tone, pitch, and inflection have a lot to do with how effective a leader is in using cutting-off skills. If the leader seems critical, gruff, or angry, members are likely to react in a negative way.

experiental exercise

active and challenging, supposed to take groups beyond there expectations..ex: rope course

Feedback Exercises

allows members and leaders to share thoughts ab each other

Guided Fantasy

allows members to visualize or think about, or get a feeling for the outcome of various solutions generated by the group.

Assessing members commitment and interest

attendance is biggest way to see this.. if they dont show up or are always late then they probs dont want to be there also there energy

Wishes

closing stage discuss hopes, wants, dreams for future very positive end note

Beginning the session do's and dont's

do- caring, intro, set good tone, purpose dont- spend to much time on intro and housekeeping

assessing members level of trust

during working stage

Members choose

for dyads letting the members pick saying find a partner

Past centered exercises

get members to reflect on past

Changing or stopping an exercise

if the leader feels like the exercise is not working, members are engaged

Clarifying about cutting off

important to tell members at times you will have to cut people off (for the sake of time/staying on topic).. telling them this ahead of time makes them more prepared

helping members get acquainted

introductions name rounds repeat rounds (say name b4 u) intro round repeated dyads milling around

Assessing the Benefits

is this group adding value to the participants

Designated Number Round

leader gives 1-10 scale and asks participants to rate something ex: on a scale 1-10 how comfortable r u with....

ex of fantasy exercises

meditation

Progress report

members of the group provides updates on aspects of there life that needs to be followed up on

Group decision exercises

members work together to solve problem example of this would be "stranded on a desert."

Leaders choose

the easiest way is to use seating arrangement.. have them pair in twos

Common Pitfalls

underleading or overleading warm ip phase too long shift focus too often time "pet members" too many or too few activities

Establishing the Focus

using comments, activities and exercises, rounds and dyads

Goals of processing

1. To stimulate sharing and discussion about topics or issues 2. To stimulate members to delve deeper into thoughts and feelings 3. To stimulate sharing and discussion related to the group dynamics and group process.

types of cutting off

1. staying w member 2. staying w topic 3. leaving topic and person

Establish focus

1. use of comments (summarize last 30 min) 2. Use of activities 3. use of rounds and dyads

triads

3 group members

Depth Chart

A 10-1 scale, 10 representing surface-level talking or sharing 1 representing deep, intense personal sharing used to discuss the depth of the group in a concrete way.

Rounds

A group activity where a leader proposes a topic for the purpose of focusing members by having them think about what they are going to say. For example, a leader might say: "Think of what has been the biggest change since you became sober." BASICALLY.. going around in a circle

Holding the Focus

A leader holds the focus when he or she stays on what is currently happening in the group instead of shifting the focus to some other person, topic, or activity.

Dyads

A leader pairs members together and instructs them to discuss various ideas. For example, a leader might say: "Pair up and talk about ways you can benefit from the group. PAIRS

Cutting off

A leader stopping a member from talking. There are two broad situations when the leader will want to use cutting-off skills: (1) when a member has the floor but is either rambling, storytelling, or avoiding going deeper; (2) when a member is saying something inappropriate.

Touching exercise

A number of exercises can involve touching. Some are done with the entire group, such as a group massage or milling and touching; others are done in pairs, such as members lightly touching each other's hands or faces.

Moral Dilemma Exercises

A story that is read or passed out to members and each member has to decide how he or she would handle the situation.

Flipchart

A tool used to list points during the review and can be referred to as those points are discussed.

Present centered exercises

An exercise that focuses on the current moment. The following questions can help to do this: "How do you think your past affects you today?" "What feelings from your childhood do you need to sort out?"

Reunion fantasy

An exercise that has members project their lives into the future.

fishbowl

An interchange between an inner circle debating an issue and an outer circle of observers. Individuals occasionally move from one circle to the other.

Arts and craft exercises

Arts and crafts exercises require that members draw, cut, paste, paint, or create something with a variety of materials. These exercises can generate interest, focus the group, create energy, and trigger discussion.

Timing for cutting off

Cutting off must be timed properly. The leader should stop members before they ramble too long, argue for an extended period, or offer unhelpful advice. Leaders will also want to make sure they are not interrupting a legitimate and worthwhile comment; this can anger and frustrate members.

Finishing buisness

During the closing stage, it is common to have a few loose ends that still need to be tied up before the members can comfortably leave the group. Unfinished business might include an issue or question that was brought up in a previous session but never dealt with or negative feelings about how the leader handled a particular situation during a session.

Follow up care

During the closing stage, it is the leader's responsibility to provide guidance, information, and the names and phone numbers of referral sources for any member who needs to continue working on personal concerns.

Assessing each members participation

During the middle sessions of any group, the leader will want to consider each member's frequency and style of participation. Although there is no "correct" way to participate in the group, active, verbal participation is usually better for most members than merely observing or occasionally commenting.

Developing comfort

Dyads help this bc talking in smaller groups and can bring it back together to one group dyads also provide better individual contact

Fantasy Exercises

Fantasies help members become more aware of their feelings, wishes, doubts, and fears

Focus

Focus should be on a topic, activity or person

Deepening the focus

If members begin to get sidetracked or avoid a topic you need to deepen the focus to make sure the group funnels to a meaningful depth.

Common reading

In common reading exercises members read a short passage, poem, or story. Such readings often serve the purpose of triggering ideas and thoughts and of deepening the focus on some topic or issue.

Drawing Out Delicately

Inviting members to share but to give them a number of ways to decline at the same time. ex: "does anyone who hasnt talked yet have anything to add?"

Creative Props

Items such as rubber bands, Styrofoam cups, and an empty beer bottle can all be used in group exercises. They help to make counseling multisensory and concrete.

Deciding whether or not leader should participate

Leaders have the option of participating or not participating in an exercise. When deciding whether to participate, leaders should consider the possible drawbacks and benefits of his or her participation.

Overusing rounds

Overusing rounds can cause members to become bored, confused, or resentful of what they may view as a gimmick. Use the rounds to get members focused and thinking, not to fill time.

How to set up a round

Rounds, like any other group activity, have to be set up properly. The leader has to think about when a round would be useful and then introduce it in such a way that the members understand what is being asked of them. The leader also needs to allow enough time for members to formulate their answers and not let an eager member start before the others are ready.

Purpose of closing phase

The closing phase may serve one or more of the following purposes: (1) summarizing and highlighting the main points, (2) reinforcing commitments made by individual members, and (3) checking for unfinished business from the session

Comment Rounds

The comment round is used when the leader wants members to say more than just a few words, going around in a circle.For example, a leader might say, "Let's do a brief round of progress reports--how has the week been?"

Designated Word or Phrase Round

The leader asks the members to use one, two, or three possible choices when responding to a question or issue, such as "yes or no" or "very helpful," "helpful," or "not helpful."