2. Main
Objectives:
Chapter 8
● to identify and define the key
characteristics of a group during the
working stage
● to differentiate between transitional
issues and working stage characteristics
● to demonstrate various leader
interventions for working with a member’s
fears
● to specify and clarify the tasks of a working
and productive group
● to identify and examine the various
therapeutic factors in a group that bring
about change within individuals in the group
● to become familiar with the research
implications for the working stage of a
group
6. Working Stage
●In order for the group to make it to the working stage,
there must be commitment to face and work through
barriers.
●During this stage a deeper meaning is being created and
cohesion has been developed.
●Help members express their fears and share more about
this – ownership is on the individual at this stage.
Encourage group members to give feedback around this.
7.
8. Key Points
● There are no arbitrary diving lines between each stage
● Groups have an ebb and flow- it doesn’t stay static
● Work can occur at every stage- not just working stage
● Not all groups make it to the working stage
● Not all members function at the same level in a
working stage
9. Characteristics of a Productive Group
● Focus is on the here and now
● Members goals are clear and specific
● Cohesion is high- there is a sense of emotional bonding in
the group
● Conflict in the group is recognized and explored
● Members are willing to make themselves known
● Trust is increased and there is a sense of safety
10. Characteristics of a Non-working Group
● Mistrust is manifested by an undercurrent of
unexpressed feelings
● Participants focus more on others than themselves
● Participants hold back and may feel distant from one
another
● Conflicts are ignored or avoided and communication is
unclear and indirect
11. Leader Skills to Use
● Role playing
● Try new behaviors in the group
● Process/express
● Meditation
● Art
● Music
● Psychoeducation
● Affirmations
12. Choices to be Made During Working Stage
● Disclosure vs anonymity
● Authenticity vs guardedness
● Spontaneity vs control
● Acceptance vs rejection
● Unity vs fragmentation
13. The Value of Homework
● Group is NOT an end in itself
● Group is a place to learn new behaviors and acquire a range
of skills in living. It is a training ground for everyday life
● Homework is a means for maximizing what is learned in
group
○ members can devise their own homework assignments
○ Ideally, homework is designed collaboratively between members
and the leaders
14. Therapeutic Factors in Groups
● Self-Disclosure
● Confrontation
● Feedback
● Cohesion and Universality
● Hope
● Willingness to Risk and
Trust
● Humor
● Caring and Acceptance
● Power
● Catharsis
● Cognitive Component
● Commitment to
Change
● Freedom to Experiment
16. Self-Disclosure
● Related to purpose of group
● Useful to express thoughts
and feelings
● Self-disclosure increases in a
safe group
● Level and Nature of
disclosure:
○ stage of group may
determine if
appropriate
○ members decide what
and how much to
disclose
17. Discussion:
What kind of self-disclosure would you expect of members during the working
stage? How do the kind and level of disclosure at this stage differ from that at
the initial stage? What can you do as leader to encourage appropriate member
disclosure?
18. Giving Feedback
● Be honest and sincere!
● Concise feedback given in a clear and straightforward
way is useful
● Let others know how their behaviors affects you, but
avoid being judgemental
● Avoid giving global feedback
19. Leader Functions: Working Stage
● Continue to model appropriate behavior; provide a balance between
support and confrontation
● Support members’ willingness to take risks and assist them in
carrying this into their daily living
● Offer interpretations at appropriate times to help members engage
in deeper self-exploration and consider alternative behaviors
● Explore common themes and link members
● Focus on importance of translating insight to action- practice skills!
20. Member Functions: Working Stage
● Bring into group sessions issues they are willing to discuss
● Offer and remain open to feedback even though this may increase anxiety
for some members
● Practice new skills and behaviors and bring these results to group sessions
● Challenge and support each other
● engage in self-confrontation and avoid becoming too relaxed/comfortable
● Assess satisfaction with the group
● Take steps to change level of involvement in the group if necessary
21. Personal-Identity Road Map (Activity)
Draw a road map of the incidents that have shaped your personal identity.
Consider questions such as the following:
● Who am I now? What has made me this way?
● What are some of my earliest recollections?
● What are some key decisions I made at various points?
● What choices did I make for myself, and what choices did others make
for me?
● What are some risks I took recently that led to a change in my life?
● What do I want from life? What kind of identity do I want to develop?
