Closing

1. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Closing a Session or Group
©2016.
Cengage
Learning.
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rights
reserved.

2. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
TheClosing
Phase
Purposes and Goals of the closing Phase
 Summarizing and Highlighting the Main Points
 Reinforcing Commitments
 Checking for Unresolved Issues
©2016.
Cengage
Learning.
All
rights
reserved.

3. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Formats for
Closing a
Session
 Rounds
 Dyads followed by comments to the group
 Members summarize
 Leader summarizes
 Written reactions
©2016.
Cengage
Learning.
All
rights
reserved.

4. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Helpful
Closing
Techniques
 Be clear on the purpose of the closing phase
 Use cutting off skills to avoid new material
 Tie together themes and issues
 Draw out summary comments, especially from
quiet members
 Encourage positive feedback or “wishes’
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Cengage
Learning.
All
rights
reserved.

5. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Other
Closing
Issues
 Allowing time for a member present for the first
time to share
 Allowing time for a member who is leaving
 Alerting members to reactions outside the group—
the closeness in the group may not be the same
with their significant others
 Handling criticism of the session
©2016.
Cengage
Learning.
All
rights
reserved.

6. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
TheClosing
Stage
Purpose and Goals of the Closing Stage
 reviewing and summarizing the
experience
 assessing members’ growth and
change
 finishing business
 applying change to everyday life
 providing feedback
 handling goodbyes
 planning for continued problem
resolution
©2016.
Cengage
Learning.
All
rights
reserved.

7. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Exercises
During the
Closing
Stage
 Rounds/Dyads--comments about the group
experience
 Wishes--encouragement for members to continue
to work on issues
 Reunion fantasy
 Written feedback to the leader or members
 Handouts highlighting key points
©2016.
Cengage
Learning.
All
rights
reserved.

8. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Considerations
for the
Closing
Stage
 Dealing with feelings of separation
 Recognizing that members may feel closer to one
another than to family and friends
 Guarding against ending with strong emotion
 Helping members in their transition
 Conducting exit interviews for feedback and/or
referral
©2016.
Cengage
Learning.
All
rights
reserved.

9. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Considerations
for the
Closing
Stage
 Holding follow-up sessions
 Evaluating the group
 Ending with a social experience--usually not a good
idea for counseling/therapy groups
 Depending on group purpose, encouraging
networking among members
©2016.
Cengage
Learning.
All
rights
reserved.