Focus

1. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Focus
©2016.
Cengage
Learning.
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rights
reserved.

2. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
The
Importance
of the Focus
 At any given moment the focus of
the group is either on a person, a
topic, or an activity.
 The leader should always be aware
of the focus and the depth of the
focus.
 Knowing how to establish, hold,
shift, and deepen the focus is
absolutely essential for good
leadership.
©2016.
Cengage
Learning.
All
rights
reserved.

3. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Establishing
the Focus
 Directing the FocusThrough Comments
 “Let’s focus on specifically anger at home.”
 “For now, let’s look at ways you’re coping with your grief.”
 Using Activities to Establish the Focus
 Use whiteboard, make lists, handouts
 Use props, chairs, small chair
 Using Rounds and Dyads
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Cengage
Learning.
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rights
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4. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Holding the
Focus
 KnowWhen to Hold the Focus
 On aTopic
 On a Person
 Know How Long to Hold the Focus
 KnowTechniques to Hold the Focus
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Cengage
Learning.
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rights
reserved.

5. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Shifting the
Focus
 When to Shift the Focus
when too long on one person
when people are getting bored
when you need to cover additional
topics
 Ways to shift the focus
 Shift from aTopic to a Person
 Shift from OneTopic toAnotherTopic
 Shift from aTopic to an Exercise
 Shift from One Person to Another Person
 Shift from A Person to aTopic
 Shift from a Person to an Exercise
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Cengage
Learning.
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rights
reserved.

6. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Deepening
the Focus
The key to most growth, counseling, and therapy groups is
deepening the focus. A leader deepens the focus by:
 Asking very thought-provoking questions
 Asking members to share more personally
 Working with a member intensely
 Conducting an intense exercise
 Confronting members about dynamics
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Cengage
Learning.
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rights
reserved.

7. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
The Depth
Chart
The chart in the next slide is a way to visualize the
depth of the group
• 10 is surface comments
• 7 is going deeper
• 1 would be very intense work
Beginning leaders often conduct groups that go
10,9,8,10,9,8,etc. and never go very deep.Your goal
is to go below 7.
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Cengage
Learning.
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rights
reserved.

8. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Most sessions should go below 7
10
9
8
7___________________________________
6 impact
5
4
3
2
1
THE DEPTHCHART
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Cengage
Learning.
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rights
reserved.

9. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Consider
ations
Regardin
g Focus
 When to Deepen the Focus
 Make sure members are ready
 Make sure you have enough time
 How Deep to Focus
 Always consider purpose of the group
 Always consider your expertise
©2016.
Cengage
Learning.
All
rights
reserved.

10. Copyright
©
2012
Brooks/Cole,
a
division
of
Cengage
Learning,
Inc.
Key Point
Knowing how to get, hold,
shift, and deepen the focus
is the key to group leading.
©2016.
Cengage
Learning.
All
rights
reserved.