HSCO 509 TOPIC RATIONALE 3 This is the Topic: After reading Jacobs et al., what type of group do you think would be the most challenging to lead and why? Be specific in your discussion of the group and discuss the type of leadership style that would be needed. Make sure to properly cite your sources and reference your citations at the end. Need a reply to this DB be at least 200 words Elaine Graham DB 1 Top of Form               Counseling and therapy groups are the most challenging to lead. Members of these groups have an assortment of mental issues, and the problems of therapy group members are usually more severe.  Also, no universal agreement exists regarding the role of the leader or the members, the tone or therapy strategy (Jacobs, Masson, Harvill, & Schimmel, 2012). However, the importance of utilizing a counseling theory cannot be understated. Emotional disorders, institutional living, addictions, and sexual abuse challenge the leader and require a systematic methodology for addressing them. One methodology promoted by Jacobs et al (2012) is impact therapy. It places primary responsibility on the leader to ensure that members are working through their issues. However, the leader has the latitude to decide what approach to take based on goals, objectives and the level of desired member interaction (Jacobs et al, 2012). The varying mental health levels within counseling and therapy groups contribute to an unsure group dynamic (Jacobs et al, 2012). The leader may have to neutralize the impact of individual members to achieve a working dynamic. This can affect both the length of the beginning stage of therapy and the productivity of the working stage (Jacobs et al, 2012).             Leading counseling and therapy groups requires skill and knowledge. These qualifications must also include courage. Leaders are often attacked because of the mental health of the group members. The leader needs to be well experienced in individual counseling enabling her to flow seamlessly between ndividual and group counseling. The nature of these groups requires the leader to be knowledgeable about emotional, relationship and parental issues that may surface during a meeting. Bringing group members successfully to the closing stage requires counseling therapies, education, and proper application.             Schwartz (2007) agrees with the difficulties that arise in leading this kind of group. His article refers to challenging difficulties that arise through countertransference, hostile responses from staff and even institutional obstacles (Schwartz, 2007). The varying mental levels of group members, the internal and external forces affecting the group, and the unstable dynamic make this a difficult but not impossible group to lead. Let the group leader follow the example of Jesus, Who ministered to a demon possessed man living among the tombs (Luke 8:26-39). The Lord healed him, and he shared his testimony throughout the region.    References Ja.

1. HSCO 509
TOPIC RATIONALE 3
This is the Topic:
After reading Jacobs et al., what type of group do you think
would be the most challenging to lead and why? Be specific in
your discussion of the group and discuss the type of leadership
style that would be needed. Make sure to properly cite your
sources and reference your citations at the end.
Need a reply to this DB be at least 200 words
Elaine Graham
DB 1
Top of Form
Counseling and therapy groups are the most
challenging to lead. Members of these groups have an
assortment of mental issues, and the problems of therapy group
members are usually more severe. Also, no universal agreement
exists regarding the role of the leader or the members, the tone
or therapy strategy (Jacobs, Masson, Harvill, & Schimmel,
2012). However, the importance of utilizing a counseling theory
cannot be understated. Emotional disorders, institutional living,
addictions, and sexual abuse challenge the leader and require a
systematic methodology for addressing them. One methodology
promoted by Jacobs et al (2012) is impact therapy. It places
primary responsibility on the leader to ensure that members are
working through their issues. However, the leader has the
latitude to decide what approach to take based on goals,
objectives and the level of desired member interaction (Jacobs
et al, 2012).

2. The varying mental health levels within counseling and therapy
groups contribute to an unsure group dynamic (Jacobs et al,
2012). The leader may have to neutralize the impact of
individual members to achieve a working dynamic. This can
affect both the length of the beginning stage of therapy and the
productivity of the working stage (Jacobs et al, 2012).
Leading counseling and therapy groups requires skill
and knowledge. These qualifications must also include courage.
Leaders are often attacked because of the mental health of the
group members. The leader needs to be well experienced in
individual counseling enabling her to flow seamlessly between
ndividual and group counseling. The nature of these groups
requires the leader to be knowledgeable about emotional,
relationship and parental issues that may surface during a
meeting. Bringing group members successfully to the closing
stage requires counseling therapies, education, and proper
application.
Schwartz (2007) agrees with the difficulties that arise
in leading this kind of group. His article refers to challenging
difficulties that arise through countertransference, hostile
responses from staff and even institutional obstacles (Schwartz,
2007). The varying mental levels of group members, the internal
and external forces affecting the group, and the unstable
dynamic make this a difficult but not impossible group to lead.
Let the group leader follow the example of Jesus, Who
ministered to a demon possessed man living among the tombs
(Luke 8:26-39). The Lord healed him, and he shared his
testimony throughout the region.
References
Jacobs, E. E., Masson, R. L., Harvill, R. L., & Schimmel, C. J.
(2012). Group counseling:
Strategies and skills. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.
Schwartz, K. (2007). Remembering the forgotten:
Psychotherapy groups for the nursing home
resident. International Journal of Group
Psychotherapy, 57(4), 497-514.

3. 2nd reply 200 words or more
Patrick Keitz
Difficult Groups
Top of Form
The group that I think would be the most challenging
to lead would be the discussion group. The text mentions that
Discussion Group Leaders need to be aware and be ready for
people who try and either disrupt or dominate the session and
must also be cognizant of how much each person shares (Jacobs
et al, 2012, p. 42). The leader has to ensure that each member
contributes and is drawn into the conversation to make sure that
they are sharing or that they feel comfortable sharing (Jacobs et
al, 2012, p. 42). The reason that I find this to be one of the
more difficult groups to lead is that I know if I were faced with
someone who is trying to dominate or disrupt the group my first
inclination would be to attack the person, not physically but
verbally. I know that would be the wrong course of action as it
would likely cause the rest of the group to no longer want to
participate. I also know that my first inclination would be to
ignore the person who is not contributing, again I know that this
would also be the incorrect course of action to follow as this
would encourage others to not contribute.
This reminded me of back when I was on active duty
and the ship I was on was returning home and there would be
classes on learning to re-integrate with your family and your
spouse. I was forced to attend one of these classes, which was
funny since at the time I was not married. When I first walked
into the class I was very defensive and did not want to
participate since I felt that the information would not be useful
to me. I disrupted the class and was eventually kicked out, in
the end getting what I wanted. Looking back on it, I know that
what I did was probably a bad decision since it caused delays in
the class and probably took away from those that were attending

4. the class because they wanted to. I think in many ways I live in
fear of facing some young person very much like myself at that
point in time. Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes
disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (NIV).
Pat
Reference:
Jacobs, E. E., Masson, R. L., Harvill, R. L., & Schimmel, C. J.
(2012). Group counseling: Strategies and skills (7th ed.).
Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.
Bottom of Form
Bottom of Form
HSCO 509
This is the
Topic:
After reading Jacobs et al., what type of group do you think
would be the most challenging to lead and
why? Be specific in your discussion of the group and d
iscuss the type of leadership style that would be
needed. Make sure to properly cite your sources and reference
your citations at the end.
Need a reply to this DB
be at least 200 words

5. Elaine Graham
DB
1
Counseling and therapy groups are the most challenging to lead.
Members of these
groups have an assortment of mental issues, and the problems of
therapy group members are
usually more severe.
Also, no universal agreement exists regarding the
role of the leader or the
members, the tone or therapy strategy (Jacobs, Masson, Harvill,
& Schimmel, 2012). However,
the importance of utilizing a counseling theory cannot be
understated. Emotional disorders,

6. institutional living, addictions, and sexual
abuse challenge the leader and require a systematic
methodology for addressing them. One methodology promoted
by Jacobs et al (2012) is impact
therapy. It places primary responsibility on the leader to ensure
that members are working
through their issues.
However, the leader has the latitude to decide what approach to
take based
on goals, objectives and the level of desired member interaction
(Jacobs et al, 2012).
The varying mental health levels within counseling and therapy
groups contribute to an
unsure
group dynamic (Jacobs et al, 2012). The leader may have to
neutralize the impact of
individual members to achieve a working dynamic. This can
affect both the length of the
beginning stage of therapy and the productivity of the working
stage (Jacobs et al,
2012).
Leading counseling and therapy groups requires skill and

7. knowledge. These
qualifications must also include courage. Leaders are often
attacked because of the mental health
of the group members. The leader needs to be well experienced
in
individual counseling enabling
her to flow seamlessly between ndividual and group counseling.
The nature of these groups
requires the leader to be knowledgeable about emotional,
relationship and parental issues that
may surface during a meeting. Bringing g
roup members successfully to the closing stage requires
counseling therapies, education, and proper application.
Schwartz (2007) agrees with the difficulties that arise in leading
this kind of group. His
article refers to challenging difficulti
es that arise through countertransference, hostile responses
from staff and even institutional obstacles (Schwartz, 2007).
The varying mental levels of group
members, the internal and external forces affecting the group,
and the unstable dynamic make
this
a difficult but not impossible group to lead. Let the group leader

8. follow the example of
Jesus, Who ministered to a demon possessed man living among
the tombs (Luke 8:26
-
39). The
Lord healed him, and he shared his testimony throughout the
region.
Refere
nces
HSCO 511
Discussion Board – Replies Grading Rubric
Student:
Criteria
5
4
3
2
1
0
Points
Earned
Replies
Demonstrates analysis of others’ posts; extends meaningful
discussion by building on previous posts. Replies are 150 words
or more.
Elaborates on an existing posting with further comment or
observation and extends meaningful discussion. Replies are
100–149 words.

9. Elaborates on an existing posting with further comment or
observation. Replies are 50–99 words.
Posts shallow contribution to discussion (e.g., agrees or
disagrees) and does not enrich discussion. Replies are less than
50 words.
Posts information that is off-topic, incorrect, or irrelevant to
discussion.
Does not participate.
5
4
3
2
1
0
Frequency
Replies to 2 or more classmates’ threads throughout the next
module/week.
Replies to 1 classmate’s thread throughout the next
module/week.
Replies to 1 classmate’s thread the next module/week.
Only replies to comments about his/her own thread.
Posts reply
Does not participate.
5
4
3
2
1
0
Clarity and Mechanics

10. Contributes to discussion with clear, concise comments
formatted in an easy-to-read style that is free of grammar or
spelling errors.
Contributes valuable information to discussion with minor
errors in clarity or mechanics.
Contributes information to discussion with some errors in
clarity or mechanics.
Communicates in friendly, courteous and helpful manner with
several errors in clarity or mechanics.
Posts long, unorganized, or rude content that may contain
multiple errors or may be inappropriate.
Does not participate.
Criteria
5
4
3
2
1
0
Points Earned
Netiquette
Avoids use of all caps. Disagreements are addressed in a
professional manner. Avoids use of emoticons and acronyms
unless related to professional vocabulary.
Avoids use of emoticons and acronyms most of the time. Does
not use all caps. Professionalism maintained throughout posts
and replies.
Rarely uses acronyms, emoticons, and all caps. Professionalism
is evident in all posts and replies.
Uses emoticons and acronyms some of the time. Maintains
professional tone.
Uses lots of acronyms and emoticons as well as some all caps.
Maintains professional tone most of the time.
Uses rude language and/or all caps to express an opposite
opinion.

11. Total
Instructor’s Comments:
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