This document discusses leading counseling groups and addresses several topics: - The reasons for and types of groups, as well as advantages of group over individual counseling - Considerations for leading groups, including leadership styles, functions, and what makes an effective leader - Ethical and legal issues involved in leading groups - Potential problems that can arise for group members and leaders

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Module 1
Introduction
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Reasons for
Leading
Groups
 Efficiency
 Experience of Commonality
 GreaterVariety of Resources and
Viewpoints
 Sense of Belonging
 Skills Practice
 Feedback
 Vicarious Learning
 Real-Life Approximation
 Commitment
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Kinds of
Groups
 Education
 Discussion
 Task
 Growth & Experiential
 Counseling &Therapy
 Support
 Self-Help
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GroupVersus
Individual
Counseling
 Group counseling has specific advantages
 Group counseling is not for everyone
 Certain issues require individual counseling
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Use of
Theories
 Individual counseling theories
(REBT, CBT,TA, Adlerian,
Behavioral, RealityTherapy) are
helpful when leading counseling,
therapy, and growth groups
 Certain kinds of groups
(discussion, education, task
groups) do not require the use of
counseling theory
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Our
Approach to
Groups:
Impact
Therapy
 People don’t mind being led when they are led well.
 Group counseling should never be boring.
 Group counseling should be clear and concrete.
 The counselor is primarily responsible for the group
but not ultimately responsible for the outcome.
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Group
Counseling in
a
Multicultural
Context
 Important considerations:
 Cultural background
 Gender
 Age
 Sexual orientation
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Group
Leadership
Styles
 The major leadership debate is centered on how
active, directive, and structured the leader should
be.
 Jacobs, Masson, Harvill, and Schimmel’s position is
that an active style of leadership works best for
most groups.
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Leader-
Directed
VsGroup-
Directed
 Leader-directed - the leader has an
understanding of the member’s
needs and structures the group to
meet those needs
 Group-directed - the leader will
turn the group over to the
members and have the members
determine the direction and
content.
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Interpers
onal
Versus
Intrapers
onal
Leadershi
pStyles
Leadership styles can be viewed on a continuum.
Interpersonally oriented leaders emphasize the
“here”, and the dynamics of the group.
Intrapersonally oriented leaders focus on the
needs and concerns of the individual members.
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
Focus on group process Focus on
personal issues
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Leadership
Functions
 There are both content and process functions that
the leader must address.
 Content - the task or purpose of the group
 Process - the interaction between members,
between members and the leader, and how
members participate in the group
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What
MakesAn
Effective
Leader?
 Experience with individual
counseling
 Experience and comfort with
groups
 Planning and organizational skills
 Knowledge of relevant topics
 An understanding of basic human
issues and conflicts
 A thorough understanding of
counseling theory
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Ethical
Consider
ations
When
Leading
Groups
 Read and understand the Ethical Codes of your
professional organizations
 Be well prepared and knowledgeable on the topics
of the groups you lead
 Have adequate supervision and opportunities for
personal growth outside groups you lead
 Avoid harmful dual relationships
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Additional
Ethical
Consideratio
ns
 Maintain appropriate confidentiality
 Inform members about the goals and
purpose of the group and
expectations of members
 Know and use exercises properly,
advise members of potential risks,
and allow time to process
 Encourage, but don’t demand
participation
 Don’t trick members into opening up
 Make appropriate post-group
referrals
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Legal Issues
 Know the relevant laws of your state
 As a leader, always use due care and act in good
faith
 Maintain a “standard of group practice” common to
your profession
 Be aware of your clients’ rights
 Practice within your level of competence
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Potential
Group
Problems
Members will do many of the
following:
 Skip from topic to topic
 Dominate the discussion
 Be “chit-chatty” rather than
personal and focused
 Attend sporadically
 Be shy and withdrawn
 Get angry at the leader
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More
Potential
Problems
 Get angry at one another
 Pressure (force) others to speak
 Preach their personal morality
 Be resistant because forced to attend
 Dislike other members
 Stop attending the group
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