Group a counseling specialty 7e pearson by t gladding chapter 04

Forming Stage of a Group Orientation stage of a group  A time of initial caution associated with any new experience  Personal relations are characterized by dependence  Group member

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e

Chapter 4 Forming a Group

Prepared by: Nathaniel N Ivers, Wake Forest

University

 Characteristics of the Forming Stage of a Group

 Steps in the Forming Stage of a Group

 Tasks and Problems in the Forming Stage

of a Group

 Useful Procedures for the Forming Stage of

a Group

Forming Stage of a Group

 Orientation stage of a group

 A time of initial caution associated with any new experience

 Personal relations are characterized by

dependence

 Group members attempt to be accepted

and safe by trying to keep things simple

and free of controversy to avoid rejection

by others

Steps in the Forming Stage

 Step 1: Developing a Rationale for the

Group

 Step 2: Deciding on a Theoretical Format

 Step 3: Weighing Practical Considerations

 Step 4: Publicizing the Group

 Step 5: Screening and Pretraining

 Step 6: Selecting Group Members

 Step 7: Selecting a Group Leader

Step 1: Developing a Rationale for the

Group

 Every successful group has a clear

rationale

 The rationale is the purpose of or reasons for conducting a group

 Group leaders who are unclear about their purpose will end up being nonproductive

at best and possibly harmful

Step 2: Deciding on a Theoretical Format

 Should function intrapersonal,

interpersonal, and extrapersonal matters, but in varying degrees

and the group as a whole

 The level of functioning in a group

(I/We/It; Waldo, 1985) that the group

leader emphasizes may influence his or her theoretical format

Step 3: Weighing Practical Considerations

After a clear, convincing rationale and

theoretical format have been determined,

group proposals should stress specific,

concrete, and practical objectives and

procedures, such as the following:

Meeting time

Setting

Frequency of meetings

(Jacobs et al., 2016)

Step 4: Publicizing the Group

way the group will be received by potential members and the kind of people who will join (Corey et al., 2014)

 Some effective ways of publicizing a group:

audience

Step 5: Screening and Pretraining

 Potential group members should be

screened

 Interviewed before the group to determine

suitability for the group

 Individually conducted pregroup screening

procedure

 Group-conducted pregroup screening process

 Potential group members should be carefully chosen whenever possible (Riva & Lange, 2014)

Pregroup Screening Interview Steps

1. Identify needs, expectations, and

commitment

2. Challenge myths and misconceptions

3. Convey Information

 Orienting group members on what to

expect of the group before it ever meets

 “Such investment should enhance the functioning of the group, speed its work, reduce dropouts, and increase positive outcomes” (Zimpfer, 1991, p 264)

 Can occur on a group or individual basis

Step 6: Selecting Group Members

 A two-way process in that potential group members and leaders are mutually involved in the selection

process

 People invited to join the group should be individuals who are likely to benefit from the experience

 Individual characteristics that are contraindicated

for group work: extreme hostile, self-centered,

unmotivated, crisis oriented, mentally unbalanced, unable or unwilling to self-disclose or tolerate

anxiety

(Corey, 2012; Riva et al., 2000)

Step 7: Selecting a Group Leader

 The following are important factors that potential group members should consider regarding the leader of the group:

 Group leader’s qualifications

 Group leader’s style and personality

Tasks of Beginning the Group

 Dealing with apprehension

 Reviewing Goals and Contracts

 Specifying Group Rules

 Setting Limits

 Promoting a Positive Interchange Among Members

Resolving Potential Group Problems in Forming

 People Problems

 Group Procedural Problems

People Problems

 Resisters

Group Procedural Problems

 Opening the Group

 Structure

 Involvement

 Group Cohesion

 Hope and Risk Taking

 Closing (Terminating) of the Session

Useful Procedures for the Forming Stage

 Joining

 Linking

 Cutting Off

 Drawing Out

 Clarifying the Purpose